I got to work today and there is a loud hissing coming...

[SplashMan]

I got to work today and there is a loud hissing coming from the pass side. I go over and find a puddle of what looked like coolant on the ground. There is a tube/pipe that on the SOHC has to be pulled over and ziptied so it won't rub on the serp belt after the body lift and it looks like it cracked or rubbed through where the ziptie went around it. It is one of the A/C lines, it comes out of the condensor and runs down the side of the engine and across the bottom and then back up to the compressor on the other side. I am going to disconnect the plug on the condensor (and wrap it in a baggy) before I drive home tonight and see if the compressor turns on or not. If it don't I'll wrap the crack in the line with a layer of electrical tape and another layer of duct tape and start saving up to get it fixed...
Am I going to hurt anything running like this for awhile?

 

[Alec]

I'd patch or fix the line and keep it connected. And fix it ASAP. If the patch is fairly good you may be fine for a while, but I don't like messing with coolant or the a/c compressor.

 

[mosinman]

sounds like the AC line, but......Whats the deal with the coolant leak???? can't figure this one out from your description.

 

[SplashMan]

It wasn't coolant, it turned out to be the refrigurant(sp). I patched the line with some rubber tape and electrical tape and as soon as I get the money I will get a new hose... just don't have A/C untill then... oh well, never used it anyway.
Here are a couple pics...

 

[Robb]

Just keep going until you decide to fix it (or not). The only thing the puddle could have been is oil in the refrigerant (that's normal). But it shouldn't be very much. The compressor shouldn't come on, b/c low pressure switch should not allow it. So if you don't use the ac much, forget about it. Let it be.

Robb

 

[yob_yeknom]

How many people on this site have made the same mistake? Too many, and I was almost one of them too.

I know exactly which line you are speaking of. When you get the new line, just bend the metal part at the top of the line down and then back away from being in-line with the pulley. Even if it's not rubbing sitting there, it can still rub when you hit the accelerator and the engine rocks. (that's how mine almost wore through)

DO NOT use your A/C with your line patched (rigged) like you said. That will never hold up to the pressures the A/C system puts on those lines. It may help keep the dirt out for the time being, but get it fixed ASAP so dirt doesn't contaminate the entire system and end up ruining your compressor.

 

[taxx]

Just so the info is availible here (and so if anyone has the problem I had with the compressor always running), this is what I posted to this problem on the other site:
it will prbably still leak slowly and you can burn up the compresor by running it dry, so here is what I would do:

on both the compressor and the "octopuss looking thingy" (aka condensor, i think) there are sensors. These sense the pressure of the fluid. If the pressure drops the compressor won't run. So it shouldn't run, but to be on the safe side I would disconnect one of them.

I don't know about yours but after rebuilding mine, even when the A/C is off the compressor likes to run now and again so I spiced the line to one of these sensors and put a switch on it so I can switch it on and off from the cab (essencialy plug it in or un-plug it) and it has worked very well for me.

These parts only effect A/C everything else including defrosters and fans work fine still. I have the sensor off all winter and it still runs fine. This should solve as a short term fix, and I don't think it will be too much to fix it later, just seal it good so you don't get dirt or dust in the line.

Hope this helps