[Archived]

I have not replaced it, but from posts relating to it the task is similar in difficulty to obtaining peace in the Middle East.

[Craig]

Yes Craig, I had that line replaced by Prevost in Saint Nicolas on our 1994 Liberty. And yes it does run from the condenser bay across the fuel tank to the evaporator bay. It was a big/ expensive job, and the team of techs had 20 to 30 years experience working at Prevost. They had to pump off the 208 gallon fuel tank and remove it from the chassis. They said the most difficult step was removing the connection between the 208 gallon tank and the 90 gallon tank. Then they had to cut a hole in the back stainless steel panel in the evaporator bay to get access to the fitting for that 1” ID aeroquip line. Then of course they patched the hole and reinstalled the tank.

I had this done in June of 2016. At that time the labor rate was $104 Canadian which converted to $84 US. Since the cost was mostly labor, it was cheaper to have it done at Saint Nicolas although I didn’t really go there with that benefit in the plan.

[Dan]

Thanks Jon I figured it would not be easy. You statement about Peace in the middle east pretty well sums it up. When I do attempt the replacement. Would it be safe to assume there will be Adult beverages involved as well as some swear words as well?

[Archived]

Haven’t replaced that one but the 2 up front for the drivers air going from inside cab area to underneath front bumper wasn’t no cake walk either. Have my cruise airs there and it’s a skinny person job. I ain’t.

[Dick]

Thank You Dan for the reply. I was doing pretty good until you said they had to remove the fuel tank. LOL. Our coach just has one fuel tank . I will study further, Being a Glutton for punishment I will probably do it myself.

[Jim/Chris]

To help ease your pain, think $6,000.

[Corey]

Dan I just spit my coke on the Computer screen. It is funny the hose from Prevost is $1070.

[Craig]

In a recent conversation with Paul (A/C specialty guy) at Prevost Jax, he mentioned that back in the day he devised a long extension tool to aid in remotely cutting the wire ties, hangers, clamps, etc that secures the hoses in hidden areas. We weren’t able to finish the conversation so I never learned his secret. Maybe give him a call.

[Archived]

Craig, I am lazy by nature and always try to pick the low hanging fruit. By that I mean before I even begin the process of removing and replacing the hose I will make absolutely sure it leaks. I will disconnect it at both ends, plug one end, and pressurize from the other end and using a high quality valve, close the valve and verify it leaks.

Then I will sit on my butt and go through the mental gymnastics required of complex financial calculations. If I determine I have to add 10 pounds of 134A annually that’s $60 so I have to do that for three years before I break even just on the cost of a hose.

Then I tell myself how valuable my time is, how much blood I will lose dealing with rusty fasteners and fittings, and how much it will cost in beer to pay for help from friends when I get into the part of the job that needs two men.

Do you see where I am going with this?????????

[Roscoeapproved]

Jon I totally agree with your observation on this matter. Unfortunately when I pressured up the system I found An extremely large leak on this hose It is about 1 1/2 inches behind the fitting.

---

Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL

[Archived]

Craig,

What about having a short new hose with couplings made? I don’t know if that’s possible, but may be worth a shot at a hydraulic hose place.

Here’s another thought from the oil field: https://www.hosepatch.com/collections

[Dan]

I wonder if there is a mobile hydraulic line crimping tool that would be small enough to get into that space. If there is, one could turn that hose straight up and cut that hose below the damage and crimp a new fitting on just below the connection point. Then install a double flare 90 and make up a new short hose to reconnect. There is a mobile hydraulic hose guy near me that i have used in the past. Might be worth a few phone calls if you have one in your area. If you find this is possible you could cut the line below the damage and adapt a barbed air fitting to make sure the rest is leak free as Jon stated. Perhaps you have investigated this already. Just thought i would throw it out there.

[Dick]

JINX Tom

[Roger]

Craig, check that $107 hose. I too bought that one from Prevost and took it with me to Quebec. It was wrong, too short, they took it back for credit against the right one. If I recall, it was about $350.

My leak was in the same place as yours, on the outside of a bend. It was attributed to running r134a through hose of incompatible material. Intended for r12. In fact, all of my leaks were in the run of the hose, and none were at fittings. I proposed to the Quebec boys to cut and splice. Answer: it will begin to leak somewhere else. My leak was very clear using yellow detector.

If you haven’t already changed the two hoses between the compressor and bulk head, just leave your tools out.

[Jeff]

I replaced a hose on one of my Liberty’s a large hose in the condenser and the ends screwed on, just use the same oil is in the compressor