AC Compressor Hose Repair

[TopNotch]

Well, after putting a new AC compressor on my 88 duke Fiero, and enjoying nice cool air for a while, one of my compressor hoses has sprung a bad leak. I was coming home from work yesterday when I noticed a little smoke coming from the right side engine vent. I turned off the AC and the smoke went away. It turned out that AC compressor oil was spraying from the bad hose onto the exhaust. Like I said, a bad leak. Nobody sells hose sets for 88 dukes anymore, so I was wondering if heater hose could be used to make a repair. Or can you buy AC hose as just hose by the foot to make repairs?

[Fierofool]

The AC hoses are high pressure hoses.  You might check with some of the auto parts stores or hydraulic hose companies that make hoses on the spot.  They need to be crimped into the metal sections on each end. 

[oldone]

hey pat, would a 87 coupe/duke be the same hose? we have the 87 coupe in our junk yard that i got the 5-speed out of, they took the motor out and put it somewhere but maybe they left the compressor and hose with the car. the company i work for sells hose and ends for the hoses, we don't usally sell small quanities but i could check on monday to see if it's possible, if you give me the hose and ends parts numbers, also the brand of hose.

[TopNotch]

87 duke hose would probably be the same. If I get the chance, I'll take the hose off today.

[TopNotch]

Here is a picture of the hose assembly (with the heat wrap stuff off).

The leak is on the upper hose (as pictured) at the left end, where it is crimped to the compressor fitting.
Here is another view:

[oldone]

pat can you tell me what the markings and numbers that i see on the hose say? is there any of the hose sticking out of the fitting so you could stick some kind of tube in the hose to replace the leaky. i'll check ar work tomorrow to see if anything is available. i'll also check the 87 coupe out to see if they are the same. i know 2 companies that make the hose. i don't know how you would use the hose without new fittings, if you look at the fittings sometimes you can read the part numbers on the fitting. like 08J-U12 or something similar. you might call some places that make hydraulic hoses they might have some way to use your old fittings on new hose.

[TopNotch]

Well, it turns out Don had one out of an 88 coupe that he sold me. I put it on this evening and re-charged the system. So far it's holding.
As for repairing them, I found a place called Auto Cool in Smyrna that can do it, or custom make up a new one. I may take mine there and find out how much they will charge to repair it, and if it's not to much, I'll get it fixed and then perhaps sell it.

[Fierofool]

Pat, I still don't have the title for the duke.  If you would hold onto the compressor for the 88 until we either get a title or I return the car back to him, I'd appreciate it.  If it goes back he will be charged for the work that's already been done on it.