How to change a pipe on AC system

[cedrichn]

Good evening all

I have a Citroen C5 X7 2.0 petrol since some weeks now. My AC never worked, so as a first step, I made it recharged. All went well, no leak detected by the machine. But once arrived home, I saw a pipe "wet": no need to put tracer or being an expert: one of my pipe is leaking... Similar to this one, except I can't see a hole, I suspect more the pipe not tight in the connector anymore : https://www.drive2.ru/l/3581884/ (hope you speak russian )

Anyway, my question are more "how to change this pipe": can I just unplug and put the new one ? The "gas" will not go everywhere ? I have no experience working on a AC system, especially being refilled... Can I do it myself ? How ?

Thanks !

[EDC5]

Can you get a picture of the pipe that is leaking?

If it is one of the smaller pipes to/from the compressor it is easier to replace the pipe, if it is the hard aluminium pipe then the replacement is very tricky and a repair might be the only option.

I had to do that here: viewtopic.php?p=633369#p633369

[cedrichn]

I was exactly looking at your topic ! Great job !
My pipe is exactly the same as the Russian guy. You think it is easier to cut the aluminium and then put a new rigid pipe...?

To try to dissassemble, would WD40 make it easier ? As it is aluminium, I don't know.... But I am afraid my pipe will break too now

[EDC5]

I think if you are lucky enough to only have a leak in one of the small short pipes you should just buy a new one. Bodging two aluminium pipes together is not an ideal solution really.

[cedrichn]

It is the only one I found
I thought more of it too, and it would create a rigid connection between the "AC radiator" and the "compressor", which is obviously not ideal for vibrations....

I can just disconnect the pipe like this ? Some liquid will drop out of the pipe ? Is it going to empty all the AC system of gas ? Lot of questions, sorry....

[EDC5]

No problem about the questions . Yes, if you feel like doing this yourself you'll need to take it somewhere to have the gas recovered from the system (as it can't be vented to the atmosphere). However, it may have already leaked out, in which case you can change it yourself.

If you can get hold of the pipe and take it to a garage and ask them to fit it, pressure test the system and then recharge your Air Con, it would probably be the most cost-effective way of getting the AC working.

[cedrichn]

Thanks for your fast and detail answers, really appreciate.

I am not so keen on garage... I don't have a "good known place", and except few of them, I think they will not take as much care as me when doing the job. And if it is done badly, then I know who to blame

I might wait for the system to leak until the AC is not producing cold air anymore, then change the pipe, then make the system recharged again. Not the most environmentaly-friendly solution...is is harmful for the system ?
Also, the pipe leak "fluo green" liquid, not really "gas"... Is that normal ? (my engine coolant is pink, I am not confusing pipes, no worries )

[Hell Razor5543]

The fluorescent green fluid is a UV dye to help track down leaks in the a/c system. An A/C specialist would have a U/V lamp and goggles so they could then narrow down the location of a leak.

[cedrichn]

Thank Razor, I like when everything makes sense I thought the tracer would not be visible to naked eye, and the garage would have tell me they put some in the system... I should stop working on my cars using assumptions

(BX - Xantia - C5: same car's CV as my parents ! And why I do own a C5 now Such a shame Citroen stopped making real saloon.... They might not be great, but surely unique and comfortable)

[cedrichn]

Did you change your seals EDC5 ?
If it can help someone with the same issue, I found the part number of the seals : 6460V0. You have 2 per connection, so 4 for a pipe.

I found only one seller on ebay selling "geniune" parts, it is £2 for....one ! Sure it is cheaper at Citroen !
But....if my search abilities are not too bad, it looks like the seal dimensions are "BS 7/16" X 1/16" IS 10.82MM ID X 1.78MM THICK", and you can find much more seals and better prices using the dimensions than the part number...

I found a pack of 5 BS013 VITON in this size for £2, might go for it

[EDC5]

I did use new seals yeah. I bought a big kit of them off ebay as I wasn't sure which ones I needed.

Something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270Pcs-O-Rin ... Sw761e-w~v