LS430 rear aircon pipe replacement?

[polymoog]

Yes this subject again. It's not been a good week what with the front exhaust section going and now a holed aircon pipe back by the fuel tank. My re-gas bloke wants nothing to do with it.

Having done a bit of reading here, and with a Lexus bill of £1K+ in mind, it seems the go-to 'solution' is just to blank off the rear pipework and do without aircon in the back. This also means losing the fridge, which I do use.

I really don't like the idea of this and I've found one thread elsewhere where a guy made up and fitted his own replacement pipework from the rear a/c unit to the middle of the car, all for less than £50.

Has anyone else tried this, or had someone do it for them? I got the impression there's no need to remove the fuel tank or anything daft like that - is that correct? What is it about the job that makes not doing it the preferred option?

Thanks.

 

Edit: this is the DIY job I referred to: Link

I've just seen another thread on here that says you have to remove the tank to replace the pipes, which would certainly explain not bothering, but I can't see any sign of that being done at the above link.

[JamesIS220]

Try taking the pipe to pirtek or some good pictures of fittings either end and overall length. May then crimp appropriate fitting to some rubber hose.

http://www.pirtek.co.uk/services/trade-counter

If just a hole they could cut the pipe and fit a compression coupler. On my Volvo 940 I used 3/8th and half inch compression couplers to remove a difficult condenser and used these to re-join the pipework.

James

[The-Acre]

Don't quote me on this but I'm sure I read about a member doing this job and just re routing the pipe and leaving the old in place where it wasn't accessible.  I never used the drinks cooler in either of mine so I would have been happy to cap the rear off if I had had a problem. I'm sure as suggested you'll be able to find somewhere that will do the work.  A good diagram of the pipework will help, someone here will be able to help with that I'm sure.

[Farqui]

Does this help?

I took a punt on your model/year; https://lexus.7zap.com/en/eu/lexus+ls/431230/ucf30r-aeagkw/4/8718/874332d/

Check the engine bay section too as that look like where this mid/rear section hooks up.

Good luck.

[39buss]

I came across flexible stainless steel air con quality pipe on eBay with compression fittings so worth a look.

[DaKa]

If the pipe is in an accessible place then you do have a cheap option.

I bought a pipe splice kit circa £30 from USA import and it allows you to connect 2 pipes or repair a damaged area - it allowed for 3-4 different pipe sizes and connectors.

So, if your pipe has a small damaged section you only need one kit/splicer, else you will need 2 for a bigger section where any new pipe cuts meets with the old pipe.

I'm going to have to dig out the link for the kit and post later 

[DaKa]

This is the kit I used - I rate it highly - seems to be available in UK now.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Splice-Lok-1-2-3-8-5-16-Metal-Pipe-Repair-Compression-Kit/273174408915?hash=item3f9a76aed3:g:WacAAOSwJdZZbNuQ