A/C Condenser hose replacement?

[NNethers]

On my ’04 CC/LB 2500 the hose going from the AC compressor to the condenser some how made contact with the serpentine belt and it rubbed a hole through it. Consequently…I have no AC now and I’m tired of putting up with it (been like that for about 2 months). I’m going on a trip to Bakesfield next weekend and need to replace it before then. I’m going to call the dealer and see if somehow this is covered under the factory warranty (I’m at about 94k miles) or my extended warranty I purchased when I bought the truck used. My guess is, it probably won’t be. That leads me to my question.



If it’s not covered under warranty how hard would this be for me to replace in my drive way? Is it as simple as getting a new hose from the dealer, taking the old one out, putting in the new one and then charging the system? Is there any special tools I’ll need or any tricks to filling the system? Is this something I should simply have the dealer take care of? Anyone have any experience replacing these?



Thanks in advance.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The hose connections require a special tool to disconnect (not expensive) and you would need a vacuum pump (expensive) if you do the job yourself. Since the hose you mentioned is the high pressure hose, you probably lost some oil too. Some place like NAPA can probably make you up a new hose. An independant shop might be your best bet. Don't think factory warranry will help, the extended might, just have to read and try to decipher what is really covered. bg

 

[NNethers]

Yeah, I checked with the local dodge dealer…it's not under warranty and my extended warranty purchased separately doesn't cover it either.

Apparently I can get the hose for about $140 and they can recharge the AC system for about $140. Recharging it is something I can't do as I guess the system has to be purged from any air (using a vacuum) and then filled which requires a special machine. So if I want them to do it it's liable to run about $500 including labor to swap out the hose.

Didn't know it took a special tool to get the hose off. Is it required at the condenser or the compressor side or both? I'll have to take a look at it. Have any idea where I can get the tools or how expensive they are? If these tools prove to be too expensive or hard to get I think I might just let the dealership take care of this one…. . there goes another hit to my wallet. I just replaced the lift pump last week…sigh…. but I still love my CTD.

Hopefully I didn't damage the compressor as I did try and run the AC for a while after it stopped working.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The end of the hose at the compressor is probably bolted, the other end may have the quick disconnect hookup which requires a special tool to unhook. Tool is not expensive. The compressor should not run without pressure in the system. bg

 

[NNethers]

Went to the dealer and picked up the new line this weekend…. $153 later it was mine. I looked at the line where it connects to the evap canister and decided rather than risking damage to the canister by trying to jerry rig the line off there I just went to napa and bought the special tool. It was only $16 but it won’t be in until Tuesday. So…if all goes well I’ll put on the new line tomorrow night and have the AC evacuated and recharged on Wednesday or Thursday. Anyone have an idea on what the going rate is to have it evacuated and recharged? Dealer quoted me about $140.