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Topic: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines (Read 488 times) previous topic - next topic

Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

I have a question that I hope the members can help me. On my 2007 Nimbus, I have had an ongoing problem keeping the coolant for the dash air conditioner. Each time, there seems to be a "fitting" leaking. Do these fittings have o rings that fail? Should I consider replacing all the air conditioner hoses with new ones to stop the leaking? I did once have to replace the clutch in the compressor and thinking maybe I should replace that too along with most of the hoses to finally have this unit working all the time. Any help and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #1 –
I don't know if it applies or helps here, but I do know that O-rings are made of different materials in order to reduce problems with compatibility with various elements, so you might have that incompatibility issue here.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #2 –
How do you know the fittings are leaking?

Main source of large leaks in automotive A/C style system is 1) service ports, 2) seals around compressor shaft, 3) other fittings.

GM vehicles have a wonderful service fitting on the high-side that you hook gauges too that almost always leaks once you hook up to it. I keep a few spare ones in the tool box ($3 each).

Leaks that are large enough to evacuate the system in a week or less usually will leave trace of oil. If you can't find the leak and are stumped, it's probably the compressor.

Replacing just the clutch is usually a waste of time. Replacing seals in the compressor...waste of time. An entire NEW compressor is usually a couple hundred bucks (often close to the cost of the clutch).
1998 U270 34'

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #3 –
Quote from: krush –
How do you know the fittings are leaking?

Main source of large leaks in automotive A/C style system is 1) service ports, 2) seals around compressor shaft, 3) other fittings.

GM vehicles have a wonderful service fitting on the high-side that you hook gauges too that almost always leaks once you hook up to it. I keep a few spare ones in the tool box ($3 each).

Leaks that are large enough to evacuate the system in a week or less usually will leave trace of oil. If you can't find the leak and are stumped, it's probably the compressor.

Replacing just the clutch is usually a waste of time. Replacing seals in the compressor...waste of time. An entire NEW compressor is usually a couple hundred bucks (often close to the cost of the clutch).

Thank you for your reply. As a person who knows very little on air conditioning, each time I needed to have more fluid ( I know it as Freon but I know it has another name today), the service mechanic always tell me that a fitting was leaking. Right now, I cannot get the unit to blow cold and looking at the fittings I do not see any oil stains. This problem has plagued this unit since it was about one year old. At one time, Foretravel yanked the cooling unit out from under the dashboard and said the fitting there was leaking. They found it through some special dye they placed in the system. That is when I found out that cooling system is no longer available and was told by Mark Harvey that if it fails again then there is noting they can do (that is another story for another time). I am going to have MOT in February to look over the unit. What should I have them do to really correct the issue once and for all?
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #4 –
That seems to be an issue with FT lately.  Parts are no longer avail.  I might look at going to an AC type shop like Thermo King.  I took my coach there a while ago and they fixed it right up.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
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Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John S –
That seems to be an issue with FT lately.  Parts are no longer avail.  I might look at going to an AC type shop like Thermo King.  I took my coach there a while ago and they fixed it right up.

Thank you. I have never heard about Thermo King. Sounds like something I should check into.
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #6 –
When giving another look over, I had taken the coach to Parliament in Florida when I was there. They changed a fitting end at the end of a hose going to the condenser on the side of the coach. This did help for a while. I can see the new fitting. Does the fittings or elbows screw into the end of the hose? Thanks
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #7 –
Hello Bob, I operate a small refrigeration co up here in Ct. What we do is the following. If the system seems to be leaking we pressurize it with nitrogen and some of the refrigerant(usually 134a) to 150 psi and go looking for the leak.Once we repair the leak,i.e. hose ,fitting , compressor clutch etc,we then reclaim the gas, normally replace the receiver/filter drier assembly then put it on a vacuum pump for 45 min to 1 hr and get it down below 500 microns. This does two things, it takes the moisture out of the system, and once the hr is up we shut the gauges off on both the high and low sides and let the system set still for 30 to 40 minutes.If the gauges rise at all and keep rising out of a vacuum then there is still a leak present.If the gauges do not rise then the system is free of leaks.Good luck with the repair, maybe you could see how they would attact the repair. If you would like to im me
I would have no problem helping futher.Good luck Bob
Bob/Brenda
2003 GV320 40'
Former 2000 U320 40'
Former 1993 U300SE
2007 GMC Envoy Denali
FMCA #2063 S1

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #8 –

I'm guessing that you have refrigerant out of the hose to connector point.

My dash AC didn't work when I bought my FT.  The compressor was inoperable so I replaced it along with the TXV and drier and refilled with R134.  Now that I've got it back up and running, I've noticed that the connector on the high sidehose at the the compressor is weeping a bit and will need to be replaced.  Wish I had noticed it earlier.........

In the end, it might be worth it to learn how to do much of it yourself (it was for me) and the tools and gauges aren't all that expensive and/or can be borrowed from Autozone, etc.  to ensure that it is done correctly.

Here are some reusable replacement hose ends if you discover that is where your leaks are coming from.

AN Air Conditioning Hose Ends | ANplumbing.com

and here is the sniffer I bought

Amazon.com: Signstek Portable AC Refrigerant Halogen Gas Leakage Detector...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bob in CT –
Hello Bob, I operate a small refrigeration co up here in Ct. What we do is the following. If the system seems to be leaking we pressurize it with nitrogen and some of the refrigerant(usually 134a) to 150 psi and go looking for the leak.Once we repair the leak,i.e. hose ,fitting , compressor clutch etc,we then reclaim the gas, normally replace the receiver/filter drier assembly then put it on a vacuum pump for 45 min to 1 hr and get it down below 500 microns. This does two things, it takes the moisture out of the system, and once the hr is up we shut the gauges off on both the high and low sides and let the system set still for 30 to 40 minutes.If the gauges rise at all and keep rising out of a vacuum then there is still a leak present.If the gauges do not rise then the system is free of leaks.Good luck with the repair, maybe you could see how they would attact the repair. If you would like to im me
I would have no problem helping futher.Good luck Bob


Thank you for your reply. This is exactly what has been done before with Foretravel and Parliament. My system will go down to zero refrigerant. I do notice that the compressor has a slimy pitted outside coating and the two hoses coming into the compressor is quite pitted, rusted, and corroded looking. I am thinking of having all that replaced as well as all fittings and hoses running to the dryer and condenser. Costly I am sure but maybe that will resolve the issue.

I also am looking at replacing the fittings myself but I think the ends where the fitting goes into the hose is crimped on. I do not think I could handle that easily. However, some fittings appear that it might be screwed into the hose.
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Leaks at fittings on air conditioner lines

Reply #10 –
Quote from: rsihnhold –
I'm guessing that you have refrigerant out of the hose to connector point.

My dash AC didn't work when I bought my FT.  The compressor was inoperable so I replaced it along with the TXV and drier and refilled with R134.  Now that I've got it back up and running, I've noticed that the connector on the high sidehose at the the compressor is weeping a bit and will need to be replaced.  Wish I had noticed it earlier.........

In the end, it might be worth it to learn how to do much of it yourself (it was for me) and the tools and gauges aren't all that expensive and/or can be borrowed from Autozone, etc.  to ensure that it is done correctly.

Here are some reusable replacement hose ends if you discover that is where your leaks are coming from.

AN Air Conditioning Hose Ends | ANplumbing.com

and here is the sniffer I bought

Amazon.com: Signstek Portable AC Refrigerant Halogen Gas Leakage Detector...


Are these fittings here crimped on to the hoses or do they screw into the hose? Thanks for your help in advance.
Bob
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator