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1990 Buick Reatta AC Hose Repair Difficulties


BRD

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Have owned and operated my 1990 Buick Reatta for 30 years as my only car.  This past summer the AC hose went bad.  Took to a radiator specialist but he is having difficulties fixing the system.  His words: “the problem I am having is that the factory hoses are not designed to be re-crimped.  The ferrule on the original AC lines is built into the line.  When we removed the original AC line and replaced the ferrule and crimped the new hose, we are unable to get a proper seal on the hose.”  After three attempts at getting a proper seal, the refrigerant leaks out within minutes.  Greatly appreciate any suggestions, recommendations or insight from the forum as to how I can fix this problem and get my AC working again.   Thanks!  BRD   

Reatta AC Hose Leaking.JPG

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Welcome to the forum BRD.  I don't know of a better way to repair the hose.  Your best bet is to try to replace it.  I can't tell much about the hose from the photo.  If you will give details about the hose you need maybe we can help you find a new one or a good used one. Could you get us a photo that shows exactly where it is located and what it connects to?

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Hi Ronnie,

 

Thanks for the forum welcome and offer of assistance.  As requested, have attached some additional photos for further illustration.  The original “AC hose” was damaged and thrown away by the mechanic.  The radiator mechanic procured a new replacement hose (Goodyear) that he thinks will work and attempted to connect it to points “A” and “B” in the photos.  However, he is not able to get a secure seal.  Refrigerant leaks almost immediately out of the seals in points “A” and “B” as shown in my photos. 

 

The mechanic said the reason for this is “that the factory hoses are not designed to be re-crimped.  The ferrule on the original AC lines is built into the line.  When we removed the original AC line and replaced the ferrule and crimped the new (Goodyear) hose, we are unable to get a proper seal on the hose.

 

I have owned/driven this Reatta for 30 years and it's possible that I had the original AC compressor/accumulator, hose, etc. replaced.  I honestly can’t remember but from the photo you can see that the accumulator I have in my Reatta has a sticker on it stating: “Made in China.”  Probably not the Buick original and this might be complicating things if these are also non-OEM connectors.

 

Ideally, I am looking for a way to get a secure fit at points "A" and "B" with the existing “new” hose and the existing AC accumulator.  Are you aware of a way to get a secure seal, given the challenge that the radiator mechanic stated above?  If this is not possible, I am open to either replacing the hose or the accumulator (or both) with a good new or used Reatta system.  Would just like to get my AC system working again.

 

Greatly appreciate your recommendation!

 

Thanks and best regards,

 

BRD

Reatta AC Hose 001.jpg

Reatta AC Hose 002.jpg

Reatta AC Hose 003.jpg

Reatta AC Hose 004 Showing Leak.jpg

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I cannot find that hose available new anywhere. It must be discontinued.  I recommend you email Jim Finn,  reattas60@gmail.com , and tell him what you need. Jim has been selling used Reatta parts for years and he has lots of parts in stock. He probably will have the part you need.

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If memory serves, that is the suction hose to the compressor and it is crimped directly to the tubing on the manifold on the rear of the compressor. I just went out and looked but the engine on my stand doesn't have the connector on the rear of the compressor to confirm. In other words, if what I believe is correct, replacing the suction hose assembly would also include the discharge line to the condenser (probably the hose visible at the bottom of the first photo). It is a sort of manifold block with hard lines as part of the block and hoses crimped to the hard lines. 

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18 hours ago, 2seater said:

If memory serves, that is the suction hose to the compressor and it is crimped directly to the tubing on the manifold on the rear of the compressor. I just went out and looked but the engine on my stand doesn't have the connector on the rear of the compressor to confirm. In other words, if what I believe is correct, replacing the suction hose assembly would also include the discharge line to the condenser (probably the hose visible at the bottom of the first photo). It is a sort of manifold block with hard lines as part of the block and hoses crimped to the hard lines. 

Hi 2seater, Thanks for the insight and for taking the time to check your engine on my behalf.  Will pass this information on to a local mechanic as we further troubleshoot the challenge.  

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19 hours ago, Ronnie said:

I cannot find that hose available new anywhere. It must be discontinued.  I recommend you email Jim Finn,  reattas60@gmail.com , and tell him what you need. Jim has been selling used Reatta parts for years and he has lots of parts in stock. He probably will have the part you need.

Hi Ronnie, Thanks for checking into this for me and providing Jim's contact information.  Will reach out to him at some point in the near future.  

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