Air Con Pipe I'm Screwed - Time To Let My 400 Go?

harrylime · August 3, 2015

I have a pinhole in my aircon pipe. It's an alloy pipe that goes from the cylindrical thing in front of the rad/ condensor, and extends back to the engine bay bulkhead. I've just about had it. I tried epoxy resin(which cured a cracked block in my Mondeo many years ago), that did not work.

Lexus tell me the part is no longer available (Sheffield lexus tell me this, leeds lexus give a different part number and say it can be ordered). When describing the pipe, their parts diagram seems to give them problems identifying the damn thing)

I can't even work out how to remove the pipe, if it comes to it (after having it discharged obviously), from the front end, as the fitting looks just like a grommet around the pipe.

I have precious little time for this as I'm restoring a house. It may be time to let the old girl go. I'm gutted, as I go on holiday in a few weeks and wanted to take the Lexus, rather than my Skoda. Can't do without aircon though

Malc · August 3, 2015

......... sledge hammer to crack a nut comes to mind here ................ just coz of the challenging aircon you're prepared to let the Ls go !!!

Amazing

Malc

Ruud · August 3, 2015

I must agree with Malc here. leaking a/c is merely an inconvenience and can be sorted at any time. It does not affect the way the car drives.

I can understand the frustration you get when getting no-where when you're trying to fix something.

Take a deep breath, focus on the house renovation for now and get back to the issue at a later stage.

I have told you before to message a few breakers on eBay. Take a picture of the part and send that to them to identify.

I'm fairly sure you'll regret selling the Ls just because of a minor inconvenience.

Bluesman · August 3, 2015

There must be loads of companies around that can repair the said pipe. Mike.

harrylime · August 3, 2015

No doubt it would be a minor inconvenience for some, but it is not for me. I need air con to achieve any level of comfort, other than winter time, which is not what I bought it for. I have contacted a couple of breakers but they take their sweet time responding. I have taken a few photos of the pipe in situ but as explained,have no idea how to disconnect it at the front end (image 499). If I do get a pipe from the breakers, it may be as bad as mine. The chap who repairs them locally, is doubtful it can be done, as it is close to a bend. I assumed I'd get someone to fabricate one, but I'm struggling. I'm also not convinced that this is the only leak.

The main worry is that unobtainable parts after 16 years is a disgrace, especially since vast numbers of the LS were not produced, a stockpile could have been put in place.. I am pretty good at improvising but don’t want a car for which I need to rely on second hand parts. If it were a 1962 Vauxhall Victor I could understand it.

royoftherovers · August 3, 2015

I have a pinhole in my aircon pipe. It's an alloy pipe that goes from the cylindrical thing in front of the rad/ condensor, and extends back to the engine bay bulkhead. I've just about had it. I tried epoxy resin(which cured a cracked block in my Mondeo many years ago), that did not work.

Lexus tell me the part is no longer available (Sheffield lexus tell me this, leeds lexus give a different part number and say it can be ordered). When describing the pipe, their parts diagram seems to give them problems identifying the damn thing)

I can't even work out how to remove the pipe, if it comes to it (after having it discharged obviously), from the front end, as the fitting looks just like a grommet around the pipe.

I have precious little time for this as I'm restoring a house. It may be time to let the old girl go. I'm gutted, as I go on holiday in a few weeks and wanted to take the Lexus, rather than my Skoda. Can't do without aircon though

They used to patch up aeroplanes with Duct Tape......................miracles can happen!

Good luck

Regards

John

Spacewagon52 · August 3, 2015

Don't give up, just because one "expert" says it can't be fixed does not mean it is impossible. I do share your frustration but I am sure you will be able to solve the issue. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

ROYT · August 3, 2015

Surely some aircon specialist can make a suitable pipe, it's not rocket science.

Check a company that make and repair hydraulic hoses, they may be able to make a flexible one up.

cleverdick · August 3, 2015

As a last resort it is possible to obtain leak sealers for A/C systems. Some claim not to clog the system or damage recovery units. As a matter of fact I'm waiting on the delivery of some Red Angel from a friend in the US (I have a perforated condensor which I can't justify replacing). Forget trying to repair it from the outside, given the pressure it operates at.

harrylime · August 4, 2015

thanks for the responses chaps, and the suggestions. It appears that the pipe is available, having called a different Lexus dealer and given the same description. I then sent photos to both dealers who confirm it is available. I pick it up on Wednesday, although it is fairly extortionate at around £70, plus fitting charge and recharge of the system.

I took a look last night after dark with my UV torch and there are traces of the dye used elsewhere, but I don't know if they are transfer or old leaks ( I had my independent change some seals previously). I'm hoping the condensor is not leaking but my only option is to replace the pipe, recharge and see where we gp from there.

Whether you have had problems with your aircon or not, I would recommend taking out the Battery tray and checking underneath for corrosion. I found some surface corrosion only and have treated it with Finnegans number one, which will kill it dead and protect it, although I will paint it again with hammerite. A few years left left alone, as it is out of sight, may have been a problem. I do wonder whether water can collect there, or perhaps a little Battery acid has leaked, removing some paint

runsgrateasanut · August 4, 2015

So, a good job the bully boys on the Lexus forum here have made you look a bit more into the issue and may have saved you from the Skoda ride - although a friend in France goes back and forth to Swansea (800 miles) in his seriously abused (he's a Plasterer) Skoda and loves it.

Bully boys in the nicest sense of meaning.

Can't see the images and so can you put a complete link in, or should I be doing something else to see the problem part. Daresay it will come my way, he says ominously!

Verbout · August 4, 2015

Get rid Harry, I do when the ashtrays are full, don't know how to empty them.

Colin M · August 4, 2015

Glad to see you have managed to obtain the pipe.

Even if pipes are not available from Lexus, I am sure if you can find a good air con specialist he/she can either make up or source some suitable pipework.

I hope the pipe sorts the problem and there are no further leaks elsewhere.

harrylime · August 4, 2015

Bully boys had nothing to do with it, in whatever sense you meant it, I was never one to be bullied, in any way,I'm afraid. I never stopped looking for a solution, in the little time I have between other things. I came on the forum for suggestions, not for sarcastic comments about full ashtrays, or for ill informed statements by several people that "you must be able to get one fabricated", stated with absolute certainty. Try it. I have tried every air con specialist within a hundred miles and I can tell you that I can not. As it is only a bit of alloy piping I could not believe how difficult this was.

I was pretty ****** off when I posted, having tried so many different avenues (and having charged the system at least four times now, quite recently).I have found out that even the epoxy resin I tried was part of a faulty batch, which may be why it did not work, it was yet another obstacle. I bought a Lexus and not a Jag because I don't want to be ****** about under the bonnet, I want to be driving it. And before anyone says it, yes it is an old car and I know I can expect some maintenance and repair work. I just know that someone would be just patronising enough to state the bleeding obvious. If my car does not work properly, it is not something I can ignore, it bothers me, and I feel out of sorts. I don't like loose ends, I prefer to sort things out. I will get there, if I don't, I'll sell it and buy something newer, perhaps a GS or RX.

I'm unable to format the photos properly to upload, even Picasa is causing me problems

Many thanks to those who tried to help

steve2006 · August 4, 2015

When you get the part Hugh could you please post up the part number and description just incase someone needs another one for their LS400.

The-Acre · August 4, 2015

Bully boys had nothing to do with it, in whatever sense you meant it, I was never one to be bullied, in any way,I'm afraid. I never stopped looking for a solution, in the little time I have between other things. I came on the forum for suggestions, not for sarcastic comments about full ashtrays, or for ill informed statements by several people that "you must be able to get one fabricated", stated with absolute certainty. Try it. I have tried every air con specialist within a hundred miles and I can tell you that I can not. As it is only a bit of alloy piping I could not believe how difficult this was.

I was pretty ****** off when I posted, having tried so many different avenues (and having charged the system at least four times now, quite recently).I have found out that even the epoxy resin I tried was part of a faulty batch, which may be why it did not work, it was yet another obstacle. I bought a Lexus and not a Jag because I don't want to be ****** about under the bonnet, I want to be driving it. And before anyone says it, yes it is an old car and I know I can expect some maintenance and repair work. I just know that someone would be just patronising enough to state the bleeding obvious. If my car does not work properly, it is not something I can ignore, it bothers me, and I feel out of sorts. I don't like loose ends, I prefer to sort things out. I will get there, if I don't, I'll sell it and buy something newer, perhaps a GS or RX.

I'm unable to format the photos properly to upload, even Picasa is causing me problems

Many thanks to those who tried to help

Apart from anything else, I fully understand what you're saying. If my car has something not working it spoils everything, and AC is a big one for me. Good luck with it.

harrylime · August 4, 2015

absolutely Steve

39buss · August 10, 2015

Be very very very careful when trying to undo the bolts holding the pipe ends. They will feel welded in ( electrolytic reaction ) as its two different metals and they react against each other. The last thing you want is to snap the head off the bolt. I posted on here a few years ago when I found the Battery box fixings had rusted through and the resultant movement rubbed a hole in the A/C pipe that goes from the bulk head to the circular thing in front of the rad. It's a fiddly job and " benfur " on here sorted good S/H parts for me with overnight delivery. N/A as you have a new bit on order. Just come back from holiday so didn't see this post till this morning.

39buss · August 10, 2015

Is this the pipe. Dont know if you can have one made up cos of the fittings on both ends

39buss · August 10, 2015

Broken head off the bolt. Very lucky to get this out. New seals will also be required.

harrylime · August 10, 2015

That's the one, I'll put the part number up later in case anyone needs it. Is that bolt at the bulkhead end? It's not going in for a week or so - I think I'll apply some WD40 for the next few days. I've already replaced the bolts in the dryer thingy at the front as they were rusty

ambermarine · August 10, 2015

Hugh

I can well understand why no one wanted to fabricate that pipe, it as more bends than the Brenner Pass,I am of the same stand point on faults if I can't fix them as soon as they appear it bugs me and as you say if contributors have nothing constructive or helpful to say don't contribute.Good luck on the refit.

I had cause to take out my Battery last week and as you did, discovered a lot of rubbish under the tray, I cleaned it off and there were a couple of rust spots were the screws for the tray have been welded on .The water and detritus looks to come in through the gap between headlight housing and the rad/condensor. It is a trap and I suppose overflows from filling the windscreen washer reservoir get in there as well.Remedial work carried out and another preventative job completed.

Titch LS · August 10, 2015

I once had an A/C specialist refuse to undo that steel bolt that is screwed into the aluminium joining block on the end of the A/C pipework. He said "these always shear off on these motors". He would only proceed with the job if I undid the bolt myself. I tried very carefully and guess what? It sheared off just as predicted. Like Jim said, a chemical reaction takes place that "welds" the steel and aluminium together. Replacing A/C parts can be dicey and also work out a bit expensive.

harrylime · August 10, 2015

You've got me worried now chaps, I will have to book it in in plenty of time to allow for complications. I'm dosing it every day with WD 40 but it may not reach the threads

harrylime · August 10, 2015

The part number is 88716 - 50230 in case anyone needs one . I just hope it does the trick, as I would prefer to be wafting around Pembrokeshire in the Lexus on my hols