AC Line Pinhole leak warm air

[Alkaline]

Hey guys, let me explain my situation and hopefully someone can HELP!!

--- compressor was not turning on
--- during diagnosictcs i found pinhole leak
--- tried to repair with epoxy
--- epoxy didnt hold, freon kept leaking out
--- during the leak, the compressor was running, but no cold air is comming out

2 Questions:::
-- how can i fix the line
-- once fixed and repaired, are there any reasons why the system would still blow warm air while the compressor is running??

Thanks!
Please help!

2004 WRX

[SD_GR]

Two options for fixing the line, and both involve removing it.

You can remove it and have it repaired at a specialist shop that does hydraulic and pneumatic hoses and fittings. Or you can remove it and replace it with a new or used line.

Either way, have the system evacuated, cover the openings, and then go back to the shop that evacuated the system and have them pull a vacuum. Once that's done and all is well, have them refill the system.

[Alkaline]

Do you think i would be posting a question like that here if i was going to take it in to a shop and spend a fortune. How do i replace or repair the line?

[SD_GR]

Do you think i would be posting a question like that here if i was going to take it in to a shop and spend a fortune.

What i think is irrelevant.

Small ratchet, new o-rings, and pulling a vacuum are crucial.

How do i replace or repair the line?

There are no torque specifications listed in the factory manual. Evacuate the system safely and legally. Remove the bolts, have the line fixed by a shop or replace it with another line, and have new o-rings on hand. I used a touch of grease on the o-rings and gently seated them. If the new o-rings are a bit too big you may have to very gently tap the fitting to seat them. Don't let them fold.

Since there is no torque spec I could find I used a very short ratchet on the bolts to avoid stripping the threads. It would be a huge pain to mess up the threads so I would be very careful.

Either you or a shop must first evacuate the system. Moreover, you must pull a vacuum before refilling it. If you can't pull a vacuum at home, it's shop time. This is because the system has been exposed to atmosphere, so I would not just refill it. Also, I had gauges on hand to check pressures and a scale to know how much R134 I was putting in. Without this stuff I'd have gone to a shop, honestly.

[Alkaline]

I have everything i need to vaccum and fill but i dont know how to replace the damaged section? can i use a 5/16 copper coupler and copper tubing to repair the 1" section with the pinhole leak? can i solder copper to aluminum

[SD_GR]

I have everything i need to vaccum and fill but i dont know how to replace the damaged section? can i use a 5/16 copper coupler and copper tubing to repair the 1" section with the pinhole leak? can i solder copper to aluminum

Aha! OK, so you're in good shape then.

Now, about soldering Al to Cu, that's interesting. I believe it could be feasible but you would need to do so in an inert environment, because I believe Al will oxidize in an oxidative environment such as atmosphere. I seem to remember people talking about using an oil immersion after tinning the Al with flux and solder and as much heat as possible. I've never done this, and as it says in my signature my views are worthless. It's interesting, and it should be feasible, but I'm afraid you'll have to search.

I think the pro hose places use Al onto Al, and I don't think they'd charge more than a nominal amount -- but I've not seen how they do it, sorry.

Bump for more info, this is interesting!

[zoe60]

This might help. https://www.subarupartsdepot.com/oem-subaru-parts.html