Am planning my rotary compressor upgrade, keeping R-12, is their a source for bulk or custom made red a/c hoses? Thought I'd check before going with less desirable black color. Thanks.
Red a/c hoses?
- Thread starter Stevehose
- Start date
The red hoses weren't compatible with new refrigerant.( Well, at least not as good- 134 has a smaller molecule.) Unfortunately, it's no longer available new unless you just stumble on a supplier who squirreled some away in the back.
The new hoses are barrier type with a pvc jacket to reduce leakage.
The new hoses are barrier type with a pvc jacket to reduce leakage.
There must be a source, as I've seen many restored Mercedes with the red-style hose. Contact restoration shops like SLR in Pinehurst, NC to see if they sell it, or preferably who their source is.
m_thompson
Well-Known Member
Maximillian Importing Co. still shows some of the hoses as available.
http://www.bmwmobiletradition-onlin...el=3435&mospid=47811&btnr=64_0873&hg=64&fg=55
I wonder if they are 35 year old NOS red hoses or a modern replacement?
http://www.bmwmobiletradition-onlin...el=3435&mospid=47811&btnr=64_0873&hg=64&fg=55
I wonder if they are 35 year old NOS red hoses or a modern replacement?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/36-Red-A-C-Hose-Automotive-R-134a-14mm-X-ACME-/330449250218
There's always a way.
The bigger issue is that you're swapping to a new compressor with different fittings and connections. What this means is that a standard hose from Max or others won't fit. Time to decide if the shaker is in or out- the muffler, the other can on the firewall besides the drier. That changes the hoses too.
You can take a longer made up hose, cut it, and put on a new fitting/ reuse the exisiting. But you've got to get everything in place, fitting you want, make sure you get the fill where you can service. ( Tired of burning my hands on the headers on the Yorky. Sorta- like that Butterfinger commercial- don't lay a hand on my Butterfingers- yeoow.)
There's always a way.
The bigger issue is that you're swapping to a new compressor with different fittings and connections. What this means is that a standard hose from Max or others won't fit. Time to decide if the shaker is in or out- the muffler, the other can on the firewall besides the drier. That changes the hoses too.
You can take a longer made up hose, cut it, and put on a new fitting/ reuse the exisiting. But you've got to get everything in place, fitting you want, make sure you get the fill where you can service. ( Tired of burning my hands on the headers on the Yorky. Sorta- like that Butterfinger commercial- don't lay a hand on my Butterfingers- yeoow.)
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Thanks I tried them, they had just done a Mercedes and didn't realize it had red hoses until it went to a show - so no leads there. Any other Benz shops?
Here's a link with a number to call: http://www.aeroquip.cc/aeroquiphydraulichose.aspx
Nice pretty picture of the catalog with red hose.
Nice pretty picture of the catalog with red hose.
My hoses say Aeroqip 1540, couldn't find it in that catelogue so it's not looking good. Apparantly the 1540 model was also used on similar era Ferraris (black not red) and MB's but can't find anyone left who has it in red, here's a link for black:
http://catalog.dunhamrubber.com/viewitems/-hose-tubing-and-ducting-hose-hydraulic-hose--1243/aeroquip-1540-refrigeration-air-conditioning?&bc=100|1518|1239|1243
and other places list it for around $15 per foot - ouch!
http://catalog.dunhamrubber.com/viewitems/-hose-tubing-and-ducting-hose-hydraulic-hose--1243/aeroquip-1540-refrigeration-air-conditioning?&bc=100|1518|1239|1243
and other places list it for around $15 per foot - ouch!
Here's a link with a number to call: http://www.aeroquip.cc/aeroquiphydraulichose.aspx
Nice pretty picture of the catalog with red hose.
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A Benz restorer named Bob Platz has new red hoses on some of his cars. He gets pretty busy so don't expect an immediate call-back: 856.966.0080
Loctite or other thread sealer?
After getting new fittings and hoses, I am installing new a/c hoses this weekend - do I use any loctite or thread sealer on these to help prevent freon loss? Some are flare and some are o-ring if it makes a difference.
After getting new fittings and hoses, I am installing new a/c hoses this weekend - do I use any loctite or thread sealer on these to help prevent freon loss? Some are flare and some are o-ring if it makes a difference.
No. Not on cars. There is a special anerobic sealant for industrial applications. It's probably the same stuff as what they sell for sealing small leaks.
If you're making connections to the old- flare- there's a copper washer. NAPA sells them. Your original hoses had them.
If you're making connections with o-rings; no.
Sandens- it depends. Use what they gave you as they have several types of connections, i.e. funky gasket with o-ring.
If you're making connections to the old- flare- there's a copper washer. NAPA sells them. Your original hoses had them.
If you're making connections with o-rings; no.
Sandens- it depends. Use what they gave you as they have several types of connections, i.e. funky gasket with o-ring.
I did not see any copper washers in my old hoses...wouldn't that mess up the mating of the 2 fittings?
Do you know what size/part # at napa I should get for the #6 and #10 evap and 2 #10 dryer flare fittings? The rest are o-rings.
So nothing on the threads? I don't want to screw this up and have to do more shady r12 craigslist deals :mrgreen: (which by the way i can get cheaper than r134 at the 'Zone). Thanks.
Do you know what size/part # at napa I should get for the #6 and #10 evap and 2 #10 dryer flare fittings? The rest are o-rings.
So nothing on the threads? I don't want to screw this up and have to do more shady r12 craigslist deals :mrgreen: (which by the way i can get cheaper than r134 at the 'Zone). Thanks.
Looks right. Bwana was asking some time back when he did an install on his post.
Run a vacumn, preferably with a guage. If it doesn't leak in 24 hrs. It doesn't leak.
If you're feeling lucky after an hour if you're in a hurry. Filler up.
Run a vacumn, preferably with a guage. If it doesn't leak in 24 hrs. It doesn't leak.
If you're feeling lucky after an hour if you're in a hurry. Filler up.
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Got the Napa #'s form Bwana's post thanks. Now I hope I didn't wait too long to find these before the weekend...
No I gave up after seeing the price for the black aeroquip and the special fittings required so I stopped searching for red. Rather spend the $$$ on other parts. I tried to re-use the ones from the evaporator to the compressor and dryer because those are the ones you see with a casual glance but a modern o-ring fitting for the new compressor wont fit on the red hose so I won't use the other red one either. Maybe someday if I do an under hood resto I will go back to red but at this point I want it to work well so I have resigned myself to black hoses. I did put a charge fitting in the evap-to-compressor line so no more burned hands. They go in this weekend.
Not all A/C flared conections require a copper washer--does the online parts catalog specify them? As mentioned a 2-3 day vacuum pull may not reveal pinhole leaks. Not with DIY-grade gauges anyway. Charge the system and immediately spray the connections or suspect areas with simple green, soapy water, etc to check for rapid bubbling.