How to change a pipe on AC system

Post your Cit/Peu/Ren air conditioning queries or advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
cedrichn
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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 :rofl2: )

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 !
User avatar
EDC5
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1216
Joined: 01 Jul 2017, 21:48
Location: N. Wales
My Cars: Citroen C5 RHR AM6
x 120

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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 :D
User avatar
EDC5
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1216
Joined: 01 Jul 2017, 21:48
Location: N. Wales
My Cars: Citroen C5 RHR AM6
x 120

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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....
User avatar
EDC5
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1216
Joined: 01 Jul 2017, 21:48
Location: N. Wales
My Cars: Citroen C5 RHR AM6
x 120

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by cedrichn »

Thanks for your fast and detail answers, really appreciate.

I am not so keen on garage... :D 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 :D

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
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
cedrichn
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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 :D

(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
Posts: 33
Joined: 15 Jul 2020, 18:02
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen C5 II 2.0 16V
MG Midget 1275cc
x 1

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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 :)
User avatar
EDC5
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1216
Joined: 01 Jul 2017, 21:48
Location: N. Wales
My Cars: Citroen C5 RHR AM6
x 120

Re: How to change a pipe on AC system

Post by 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
Post Reply