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AC lines backing off compressor

This is a problem I am having with all of my recent AC installs:

Both the Suction and pressure lines seem to loosen up after a few thousand miles, then you loose the AC then you are hot. And El Paso, TX is a different kind of HOT.

I this super vague memory of staking the nuts.
Is there another solution? Do I just need to make the nuts SUPER tight? I am quite worried about running into problems over tightening the steel nuts on the aluminum compressor.

Thanks!

Andrew








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    AC lines backing off compressor

    You could use a bit of loctite blue on the fastener's thread if you want. Normally I would tighten until snug then about a 1/8 of a turn more. All sealing is done by the O rings. Its a normal practice to replace the O rings at every AC service regardless of the condition of old rings. For this purpose you should have an assortment of O rings (get a kit) for AC works. This is better than ordering individual O rings according to its parts number and economical in the long run. Using Nylog blue (for R134a) at the O rings also helps in sealing the connection. No teflon tape should be used on any fastener's thread and in fact on any fastener of the car. Let only plumbers use them.

    A less commonly mentioned GOOD practice is to keep pushing the AC pipes (with O rings on it) onto the compressor port/accumulator port/any AC connection ALL the while you're tightening the fasteners. This to ensure no skewing of the mating surfaces while tightening.


    For O rings set:
    https://www.shopcenturyautoair.com/store/p36/European_Import_O-Ring_Kit_CP3009.html

    For Nylog blue:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Refrigeration-Technologies-RT201B-Nylog-Gasket-Thread-Sealant-RT-B-BLUE/153101721030?epid=2254671118&hash=item23a592ddc6:g:w2oAAOSw1qtbTJbl


    Amarin.








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      AC lines backing off compressor

      thanks!

      I think I have been getting a bit shy of overtightening things these days. I will give that nylog a shot, thanks!!

      Andrew








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        AC lines backing off compressor


        As you SHOULD be "a bit shy of overtightening things these days". I just removed the lines from a 1993 240. The low side was so tight that I had to use a cheater pipe to loosen the nut, which ended up not loosening the nut, but breaking the compressor. ( This compressor had the male fittings cast into the compressor end cap.) The male threads were still in the nut. The other end of the line was so tight the threads were mangled on that nut too. If the line leaks, the solution is o ring or o ring mating surface related.
        Good luck.








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        AC lines backing off compressor

        loc-tite Blue. Just two drops on each union. amd "yes" work the pipe and nut together. Sometime the pipe will bind and not let the nut go down completely' Your problem is simple. just talked with a friend that was just in El-Paso. Said it was a different kind of HOT too. DO NOT over use the Blue Loc-tite if you want to get things apart safely.









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          AC lines backing off compressor

          ordered the Nylong
          https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HOSQQQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

          wonder if it is the distant cousin of mr naugahyde...

          Ended up using it on my Porsche AC lines. Worked wonderfully for about two two weeks and then the bearing decided to die. Grease everywhere. Just wonderful.

          But, I would recommend the Nylog.







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