AC condenser line fitting stripped...how to clean out/chase threads?? (1 Viewer)

[Skniper]

This fitting at the AC condenser predictably stripped the other day during removal.
(photo below)
Dissimilar metals threaded together can’t be a good idea. I have a new Denso condenser ordered on the way.

Some of the stripped aluminum threads are stuck in the AC line fitting (red arrow).
I can see a couple chunks of aluminum cold welded in there, won’t budge with a sharp pick.
It has been mentioned to heat with a torch to melt it out, but I’m worried the rest of the line might not tolerate that well.

How the F can I chase these threads to clean up the fitting?? Does anyone know the size of the threads?

 

[3_puppies]

I'd take it all the way off and place in a vice so you can see what you are doing.
try a small torch and use a good pic.
if you ruin it, it's out already and easy to replace.

 

[Skniper]

Yep, may try that after all. Be nice to know the thread size and find a threaded pipe I could notch and use as a tap to chase the threads.

 

[neoworm]

i just went through this. If you take it to an decent AC repair shop they should have a tap set that has a hole in the centre that allows you to chase the threads on the compression fitting. My local shop charged me $20 to fix it. I looked at buying the taps but they were to expensive for the limited use they would get.

 

[neoworm]

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[Skniper]

Got this fixed! My old school fix or build anything AC guy didn’t have a tap or fitting to chase the threads on the AC fitting.

So I found a really fine point multi angle pick set at Northern Tool and went to work. Spent a couple tedious hours picking aluminum ‘fouling’ out of the threads and carefully test fitting on the new Denso condenser. Using thread sealant to keep it lubed along the way.

Pick, test fit, pick, test fit, pick....what a PITA!
Finally got it to seat all the way.

Threaded aluminum fittings are a bad idea.