This isn't about my Volvo, but you guys know your stuff about cars better than most people on other message boards I frequent.

I have a '98 New Beetle, and sunday I was lowering the engine to do a timing belt swap, and a part on the engine caught an AC line and bent the high pressure return line slightly.

Anyway, this broke a weld on a bracket that is welded to the line.

instant decompression of my system, loss of refrigerant, etc.

What I'm looking for here is advice on how to fix the problem I have a couple of illustrations of the condenser and my leak.

The affected area is along this metal bracket that the condenser tube is welded to.


My leak is shown here:



it's just a hairline fracture on the tubing where that metal nbracket is welded to it.

I called the two radiator shops in town and none of them would touch it, saying 'that's high pressure ac lines.. we don't do that"

well, if a wussy weld like that held before, why can't brazing?

I guess I'm looking for advice on anywhere to call to try and have it fixed.

Because a total replacement of the condenser is going to cost 700 dollars!!!

(700 dollars I don't currently have to my name, mind you)

Thanks for any advice. Sorry about the non-volvo content, but it's a universal car issue. :)

In other news, my '91 244 is for sale if any of you are interested in a great car for a decent price: $3800 to brickboard readers.

http://www.whiteboard.net/~luke/volvo/
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Luke Healey