[A/C] Liquid side pipe leaks

[tibo123]

Hello,

Since I bought my HDJ100 (Feb. 2012) the air conditioning isn't working.
I brought the LC to Toyota to service it and to have a look at what is wrong with the a/c.
It turns out that there is a tiny hole in a liquid side pipe.
To change the pipe (Toyota part # 88726-60640), the local dealer gave me a quotation amounting to 550Euro (ca. 730USD).
As per Toyota, it is so expensive (the pipe only costs 100Euro/130USD) because they need to take apart the exhaust pipe prior being able to replace the a/c pipe in question.

My question is, is there any way I could repair the hole caused by rust (I will try to see where it is tomorrow)?
Do you know what is the material of such pipes? Is it possible (and wise) to grind around the hole and to weld on it?

I would need your advice

Tibo

 

[APKhaos]

The Wurth line repair kit will take care of the hole. Wurth is German, so they should be easy to get in your local market.

http://blog.wurthusa.com/2011/06/10/stopping-ac-repair-headaches-with-line-splice-repair-kits/

If the line is badly corroded and there is potential for multiple holes then replacing the line may be the only solution.
You'll still need a shop to pull a high vacuum on the system and recharge it with refrigerant and compressor oil after the repair in either case.

 

[tibo123]

I am not quite sure to understand how it works.
I understand I will have to cut the pipe into 2 and to fit the wurth thing?

 

[APKhaos]

I am not quite sure to understand how it works.
I understand I will have to cut the pipe into 2 and to fit the wurth thing?

Yes. Cut either side of the hole, then fit the Wurth repair kit to replace the section removed. Don't do this unless you are comfortable working with tools, and have things like tubing cutters.

 

[tibo123]

Ok. Thanks for the tip

 

[tibo123]

I spent some time this morning under the LC to find where is the pipe which leaks.
To Toyota mechanic told me it is the pipe highlighted in attached diagram:


Would you be able to help me finding this pipe? I guess it is aft the engine compartment, on the left side (when you look from the boot to the engine side)?

 

[tibo123]

I have found the pipe in question, it is actually on the right hand side.
But I couldn't locate the hole (no green marker on the pipe)
I noticed that the piece of pipes not protected are completely rusty...

So I think I will have to go back to toyota to get the a/c running again.

 

[Warrenpfo]

This may help as a DIY job it has lasted very well and is still working.

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/43017-100-series-Air-Con-pipe-repair

The only down side is finding a supplier in the US but there must be someone that can help.

 

[tibo123]

Nice DIY!
Your toyota dealer seams to be even more expensive than mine (I am in France, not the US)
My LC has (I think...) a cool box and the pipe which is damaged has a "T" junction (near the red arrows on the above diagram). It is maybe trickier to replace this portion of pipes with flexible hoses.
How did you do to dismantle the pipes and to fit the hoses, I mean to get access underneath the LC?
Did you lift it up, did you take appart some protections?

 

[Warrenpfo]

I just lay on my back on the ground. stick it in "high" with the ahc and there is plenty of space under there to work. The pipe work if a little hard to get to at times but was about 20min to get it all out with some cutters.

The hose just feeds in and i used zip ties to hold it to the larger AC hose.

 

[tibo123]

Thank you Warrenpfo

I have found the piping diagram of the a/c:
View attachment ac 5774.pdf

I think I was looking at the aft one while the fwd one is supposed to leak, I will check again tomorrow.

 

[white_lx]

The rear A/C's always seem to give me trouble. LX and LS. On the LX I just cut and capped the two lines going to the rear A/C under the hood. Was able to use the existing foam as a cover, so it is not even visible. Use something like this: McMaster-Carr

The only down side is finding a supplier in the US but there must be someone that can help.

You could maybe try: Rear AC Line Repair Kits. These are custom length rubber hoses with compression ends. Just cut the bad section out. In our LX the worst section was just behind the passenger front wheel, but I would replace from engine bay to all the way in the back and be done with it.