Replaced evapoator. AC line blew apart.

Arwing · Post by **Arwing** » 17 Aug 2018, 13:18

I recently replaced my evaporator myself. That's a tough job. Just had a shop recharge the system the other day. It was working fine for a few days. Today one of the quick connect lines at the fire wall blew apart. I am at a loss here. Any advice would be appreciated.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Aug 2018, 15:14

Probably you didn’t push the connect in with the tool in place so that the spring didn’t pick up the horn on the line.

Easy fix. Redo connect , pump down , recharge. Add 60 ml PAG oil charge either direct or in a Freon can

Arwing · Post by **Arwing** » 17 Aug 2018, 16:07

I didn't use a tool to reconnect the line. I don't understand why you would need to. I guess I can try it.

It felt like it clicked into place when I put it on and it held high pressure for 2 days. If the spring wasn't in position I wouldn't imagine it could hold any pressure.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 17 Aug 2018, 17:25

The spring just keeps it from working itself out.

Post by **JimBee** » 20 Aug 2018, 11:12

Those garter springs get rusty. If so the spring might not be pliable enough to slip over the "horn" and then fully constrict again enough to hold the union together. Were it mine, I think I would try to get a little lube/solvent such as PB Blaster into the spring. It's a tough call. You don't want the spring too slippery, so that it might slip off. But, if the lines are anchored on both sides of the union, should that be a problem?

Post by **abscate** » 20 Aug 2018, 11:23

You need the spring on the pipe side of the horn or else there is nothing preventing pressure form blowing the line apart. Once it has sat for a few weeks, it will bind the two pipes together, but new pipes need the spring in place. The tool is needed for this. The horn won't expand the spring into place unless you get really lucky

Post by **scot850** » 20 Aug 2018, 11:32

I had the reverse issue where I couldn't get the spring over the horn end as the aftermarket part had too large a diameter. Had to file it down slightly to get it to connect eventually after fighting it for 5 hours! Another issue I had was the new part had one of the pipes not aligned correctly and had to bend it slightly to get it square to the original pipework. If I had to do this again I would only use and OE part, having said that the quality of OE parts is going steadily down hill.

Neil.