Hello, I have an 86 300zx and am looking to replace all the leaky and old A/C hoses. I have been looking around and can find the compressor, expansion chamber, dryer etc. However, I am unable to find all the hoses that I need. I have tried dealerships and local auto parts stores with no luck. Any help is much appreciated. P.S. new to the forums, first post!

Thanks

Dueces

I make my own AC hoses especially for the older vehicles but I have the equipment to do so. Find an AC shop that has bulk AC hose, a hose crimper, and the necessary fittings.

Wow i didn't quite realize it was that complicated. What am i am doing is converting it from R12 to R134a and it has a leak so i figured replacing the hoses and checking the valve stems would be my best bet. Now that I see replacing the hoses is a bigger deal i think i might just try and buy a dye kit and find the leak. Then, just fix it there, clean everything and maybe replace some o-rings and hope that the rest of the hoses can take the higher pressure R134a. Is this a good idea?

I've never been in favor of converting R12 systems to R134a. Others claim to have had success doing that but it's not something I would do.

I understand your hesitation on converting but it is 108 here in Texas everyday and I am really sick of sweating in my daily driver. How much do you think it will cost to get the hoses made because when i hear specialist i think of cost?

Thanks

I live in Southern California. It get's hot here too. Also 100+ degrees. I use R12 (while I still have some) in the Ranger and the 'Vette (my R12 cars). I have used an R12 replacement like Hotshot (R414B) - not my favorite because it seemed to be hard on compressor seals, RedTek12a - worked well but is hydrocarbon based, and Freeze12 - which would be my choice if I didn't presently have a few pounds of real R12 left. Don't care much for the prospect of using R134a in an R12 system because of the higher pressures. Hoses and seals/o rings have to be compatible with R134a which depending on the car, the ones in a R12 system may or may not be, and the design of the condenser and evaporator are such that there isn't enough volume for the proper cycling of R134a. I lucked into my supply but R12 is so expensive when and if you can find it. Not really sure of the cost of hoses made at the shop because I make them myself. The materials are relatively inexpensive but at a shop you'd be paying their mark up on the parts plus the labor.

Edited August 14, 201113 yr by sblake01

Oh wow, I had read about the replacements for R12 but was very skeptical about them. Do they actually work well? Can I just put the RedTek12a in the system and be done or would I have to replace some parts of the A/C. Sorry for all the questions I am not an A/C guy seeing as how this could potentially be my first car with working A/C.

Thanks

Here are some manufacturer FAQs on Freeze 12.

RedTek12a (as well as Freeze12) is a direct 'drop in' and doesn't require anything retrofitting. I would, at least, pull a vacuum on the system first to remove the moisture and to verify that the system doesn't leak. And, as I said earlier about RedTek12a, it's hydrocarbon based so it does have some flamable material in it's mix. And, about Freeze 12, it's been discontinued so the price is beginning to rise on it but I would still use it over RedTek12a. Here's a link to the RedTek site:

http://www.redtek.com/win_12a_prod.html

Edited August 15, 201113 yr by sblake01