LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

DIY Replace leaking rear evaporator high-pressure line

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-04-15, 02:56 AM
  #1  
Owczar
Driver
Thread Starter
 
Owczar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Poland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default DIY Replace leaking rear evaporator high-pressure line

I repaired leak on refrigerant pipe without visit on service.

I replaced 2 metres of aluminium pipe on the rear.


Below a little hole on pipe.


At first we need to disassembly trunk interior. We need to put up rubber "chimney" on pipes to get better access.


Then we need to unscrew pipe. After this operation we need to use new o-rings.
Nr OEM: 90099-14120, 90099-14119 - on both pipes.


To remove old pipe I cut it in couple of places.


Now it is time to connect new pipe with old one. Because special tool cost about 400$, I prepared my own tool from small vise. Cost about 12$. Tests before operation gave me results that it is possible to tight lokring by this small vise.


So during pipe replacement operation there were no problems to connect pipes.


At first I used special spring to bend pipe, but this spring is not neccesary to properly bend pipes.



I painted pipe spray for aluminium and mounted on car.

Exit from trunk:


Above rear suspension:


On the left from rear suspension.


Near fuel tank.


And it get out on the front of fuel tank.


Old pipe and new one:


Connected pipes.



I also painted old pipe.



After all I used vacuum pump to get a vacuum on air condition and refilled with R134.

Total cost:
12$ vise
50$ 2m of pipe, 4 lokring, lokprep
5$ spring to bend pipe
10$ refilling R134 (my brother have machine to refilling air condition so I pay only for R134)

Total time about 4-5h and about 1h to prepare vise.
The following users liked this post:
coug66 (12-22-17)
Old 05-04-15, 09:40 AM
  #2  
Lavrishevo
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Lavrishevo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,176
Received 310 Likes on 229 Posts
Default

Nice job. This is on a UL with the rear AC?
Old 05-04-15, 02:28 PM
  #3  
Owczar
Driver
Thread Starter
 
Owczar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Poland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Yes, exactly. UL with rear air condition.
Old 05-05-15, 10:02 AM
  #4  
BradTank
Racer
 
BradTank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,654
Received 176 Likes on 121 Posts
Default

Nice work, and boy am I glad I don't have rear AC. What a nightmare to fix this.

Our family's other Lexus GX has rear AC and it has a really small leak most likely in the area of the rear evaporator. I just don't have the proper tools or training for AC work and the Lexus dealer said it would cost a fortune to repair so we just top it off.
Old 05-05-15, 10:22 AM
  #5  
Lavrishevo
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Lavrishevo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,176
Received 310 Likes on 229 Posts
Default

I don't believe it is common to have issues with the rear AC. I don't see it on the forums. It does work great. The built-in air purifier combined with the 2nd cabin filter does wonders keeping the cabin pollen and fume free. By far the best I have experienced. Those in climates with snow and salted roads are prone to more issue with rust and deterioration of high pressure lines.

Last edited by Lavrishevo; 05-05-15 at 10:27 AM.
Old 05-05-15, 12:05 PM
  #6  
Owczar
Driver
Thread Starter
 
Owczar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Poland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

You are right. The root cause is salt from road. Aluminium reacts with oxygen in presence of water and salt.

In the other circumstances, for example when car is using in warm climate, the reason of refrigerant leak could be mechanical damages or previous repair.
Old 05-05-15, 12:09 PM
  #7  
StanVanDam
Instructor
 
StanVanDam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,199
Received 205 Likes on 154 Posts
Default

I had this same problem with my 2002, back in 2013, at 112811km. Car has always been driven in snowy/salted roads every winter.

I wanted to stop leaking refrigerant into the environment, so I decided against periodic top-ups. Lexus dealership inspection+repair was $1500CAD: 1.3hrs to inspect, 7 hours to repair, PAG46 A/C compressor oil was added to extend compressor life, along with the specified quantity of refrigerant for the dual-AC system.

Dealership invoiced part numbers, description, quantity, and unit cost (in $CAD):
88718-50190 CLAMP 2 $8.30
90099-00259 SCREW 3 $1.00
88718-50440 CLAMP 1 $11.10
88718-50280 CLAMP 1 $8.30
88716-50521 TUBE 1 $348.60
90119-08931 BOLT, W/WASHER 2 $2.10
90069-08007 RING,O 2 $5.80

Last edited by StanVanDam; 03-14-17 at 08:57 AM.
Old 05-05-15, 12:17 PM
  #8  
Owczar
Driver
Thread Starter
 
Owczar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Poland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I also add A/C compressor oil. The capacity of empty air condition system with rear A/C is about 900+-50g of R-134a.
Old 07-06-15, 01:53 AM
  #9  
Owczar
Driver
Thread Starter
 
Owczar's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Poland
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Net update
I add DRL module based on PWM to have automatically ligths. After engine start DRL is lightening. Module fit to relay box perfectly






Movie how IT works on switch auto position.

I albo replaced smog sensor filter :


Old 08-13-19, 07:06 PM
  #10  
MarkLev12
Rookie
 
MarkLev12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 58
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Lavrishevo
I don't believe it is common to have issues with the rear AC. I don't see it on the forums. It does work great. The built-in air purifier combined with the 2nd cabin filter does wonders keeping the cabin pollen and fume free. By far the best I have experienced. Those in climates with snow and salted roads are prone to more issue with rust and deterioration of high pressure lines.
I recently purchased a UL from Atlanta and drove it up to the NorthEast. What type of protective spray should I apply to this AC line?

Last edited by MarkLev12; 08-13-19 at 07:10 PM.
Old 08-13-19, 07:12 PM
  #11  
sdls
Lexus Champion
 
sdls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NA
Posts: 2,218
Received 294 Likes on 242 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MarkLev12
I recently purchased a UL from Atlanta and drove it up to the NorthEast. What type of protective spray should I apply to this AC line?
before you think of doing that, think of scrubbing any existing salt from them before entombing any existing salt particles with 'protective' spray
The following users liked this post:
MarkLev12 (08-13-19)
Old 08-14-19, 10:05 AM
  #12  
weldthedif
Advanced
 
weldthedif's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 578
Received 129 Likes on 100 Posts
Default

Fluidfilm is the best protective spray to use
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
el maestro
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
30
02-02-14 08:25 AM
LexSCthree
Performance & Maintenance
1
11-15-08 10:16 PM
slick20
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
4
04-04-06 05:52 AM
PES300
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
8
09-08-05 04:40 PM



Quick Reply: DIY Replace leaking rear evaporator high-pressure line



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:17 AM.