Riv Performance
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

The 8th Gen Riviera Resource
 
HomeDashboardLatest imagesSearchRiviera Questions & AnswersWrite-Ups IndexRegisterRelated LinksLog in

 

 AC high pressure line crack

Go down 
4 posters
AuthorMessage
Mr.Riviera
Expert
Mr.Riviera


Name : Matthew
Age : 37
Location : Florida
Joined : 2007-01-17
Post Count : 4394
Merit : 101

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyTue Jun 23, 2015 3:06 pm

About a month ago my AC hard line in front of the motor right next to the pressure sensor developed a very large crack. It literally broke in half. My guess is it developed a crack due to vibration with the 2 semi-solid motor mounts and 230k miles of hard driving.
Checked everywhere and nobody makes a replacement part and no NOS parts available.

Luckily, i work in a facility that has greatly skilled welders.
Took it in and had someone TIG weld it in 2 passes. I then FPI'd it (penetrate inspection) with our NDT level 3 inspector. No issues with the weld.

Took the line home, installed and AC ran great.

Last week i lost all R134A and saw a small crack developing in the middle of the weld.

My question is; can this line not be welded? It would appear the crack is from stress, same as the first time. Can i wrap it with rubber hose to help insulate from thermal and vibration?

He did not do an argon purge and i only did a acetone clean and light scrub with a brush to clean the crack before welding. Really didnt think that was going to crack again, but it looks like the weld bead is structurally weaker than the parent material.

Other options for repair?

So far plan is to route out the weld bead, clean, argon purge, re-weld, FPI and UT test for penetration. Then wrap the weld with either rubber hose or maybe even JB weld to prevent future cracking
AC high pressure line crack Img_2011
AC high pressure line crack Img_2010

_________________
1996 with 254k miles, L32 4" FWI -> ported N* -> Ported Gen V w/3.0" Pulley, Stage 3 Phenolic I/C, ZZP FMHE, 1.84 RR, Headers and 3" pipe to mufflers, F-body brakes, and lowered on Eibachs. -RIP
AMG C400 White on black. Stage 2 w/E30 - 11.9@117 -daily
AC high pressure line crack Dsc_0110
Back to top Go down
Abaddon
Expert
Abaddon


Name : Scott
Location : Macomb, Michigan
Joined : 2010-02-24
Post Count : 4314
Merit : 185

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyTue Jun 23, 2015 3:25 pm

Damn. Sucks that it's on the bend. Yukons have a bad habit of rubbing through the rear A/C lines under the car. We have repair sleeves that we use. The line gets cut, and the sleeve gets crimped (with a special tool) and then soldered, much like indoor plumbing.
Back to top Go down
matt270avian
Expert
matt270avian


Name : Matt
Age : 28
Location : Frederick, MD
Joined : 2012-01-15
Post Count : 2681
Merit : 54

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyTue Jun 23, 2015 4:35 pm

Besides what Abaddon said, maybe check around some junkyards/Morad for one? I can't imagine it being unique to just our cars...
Back to top Go down
albertj
Master
albertj


Name :
Location : Finger Lakes of New York State
Joined : 2007-05-31
Post Count : 8577
Merit : 180

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyWed Jun 24, 2015 10:55 pm

My guess is metal fatigue, can you replace the line assembly?


Mr.Riviera wrote:
About a month ago my AC hard line in front of the motor right next to the pressure sensor developed a very large crack. It literally broke in half. My guess is it developed a crack due to vibration with the 2 semi-solid motor mounts and 230k miles of hard driving.
Checked everywhere and nobody makes a replacement part and no NOS parts available.

Luckily, i work in a facility that has greatly skilled welders.
Took it in and had someone TIG weld it in 2 passes. I then FPI'd it (penetrate inspection) with our NDT level 3 inspector. No issues with the weld.

Took the line home, installed and AC ran great.

Last week i lost all R134A and saw a small crack developing in the middle of the weld.

My question is; can this line not be welded? It would appear the crack is from stress, same as the first time. Can i wrap it with rubber hose to help insulate from thermal and vibration?

He did not do an argon purge and i only did a acetone clean and light scrub with a brush to clean the crack before welding. Really didnt think that was going to crack again, but it looks like the weld bead is structurally weaker than the parent material.

Other options for repair?

So far plan is to route out the weld bead, clean, argon purge, re-weld, FPI and UT test for penetration. Then wrap the weld with either rubber hose or maybe even JB weld to prevent future cracking
AC high pressure line crack Img_2011
AC high pressure line crack Img_2010
Back to top Go down
Mr.Riviera
Expert
Mr.Riviera


Name : Matthew
Age : 37
Location : Florida
Joined : 2007-01-17
Post Count : 4394
Merit : 101

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyThu Jun 25, 2015 8:41 am

The line is unavailable.
This is the fix i went with.
AC high pressure line crack Img_2012

_________________
1996 with 254k miles, L32 4" FWI -> ported N* -> Ported Gen V w/3.0" Pulley, Stage 3 Phenolic I/C, ZZP FMHE, 1.84 RR, Headers and 3" pipe to mufflers, F-body brakes, and lowered on Eibachs. -RIP
AMG C400 White on black. Stage 2 w/E30 - 11.9@117 -daily
AC high pressure line crack Dsc_0110
Back to top Go down
Mr.Riviera
Expert
Mr.Riviera


Name : Matthew
Age : 37
Location : Florida
Joined : 2007-01-17
Post Count : 4394
Merit : 101

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptyFri Jul 17, 2015 7:52 am

And its broke again. Im assuming the same spot but ill check tonight.
Really not sure WTF to do with it now. its 102° out down here

_________________
1996 with 254k miles, L32 4" FWI -> ported N* -> Ported Gen V w/3.0" Pulley, Stage 3 Phenolic I/C, ZZP FMHE, 1.84 RR, Headers and 3" pipe to mufflers, F-body brakes, and lowered on Eibachs. -RIP
AMG C400 White on black. Stage 2 w/E30 - 11.9@117 -daily
AC high pressure line crack Dsc_0110
Back to top Go down
Mr.Riviera
Expert
Mr.Riviera


Name : Matthew
Age : 37
Location : Florida
Joined : 2007-01-17
Post Count : 4394
Merit : 101

AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack EmptySat Jul 18, 2015 5:57 pm

This time it has a pinhole leak in the same hose, different area. Another trip to the shop for TIG welding prob wont fix it for long.

Anyone have a parts riv with this hose still on it??

_________________
1996 with 254k miles, L32 4" FWI -> ported N* -> Ported Gen V w/3.0" Pulley, Stage 3 Phenolic I/C, ZZP FMHE, 1.84 RR, Headers and 3" pipe to mufflers, F-body brakes, and lowered on Eibachs. -RIP
AMG C400 White on black. Stage 2 w/E30 - 11.9@117 -daily
AC high pressure line crack Dsc_0110
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





AC high pressure line crack Empty
PostSubject: Re: AC high pressure line crack   AC high pressure line crack Empty

Back to top Go down
 
AC high pressure line crack
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Riv Performance ::   Supercharged 3800 Tech :: Series II Engine & Transmission-
Jump to: