Ls430 air con pipes

jimmygoodfaults · October 16, 2020

Yes, it’s that old subject again!
I’ve decided to keep the rear air con and not chop the pipes, which of the rear pipes is the one prone to failure? Should I replace both while the tanks out?

Apologies if this has been covered before but I’ve read nearly everything on the subject and not seen this posted.

steve2006 · October 16, 2020

The pipes are continuous from front to rear and have you checked out the cost?

jimmygoodfaults · October 20, 2020

I’m well aware of the cost, I wondered what options are available.
Is it possible to replace the damaged section, with a rubber pipe without removing the tank?

steve2006 · October 20, 2020

Given the pressures involved I doubt rubber piping would suffice, I’m no AC expert so I would get a specialist to take a look to see if just the affected sections could be replaced. The petrol tank will need to be removed whatever to gain access due to routing.

Tulpen · October 20, 2020

I would also ask the specialist if rubber and the coolant fluid are compatible.

John N · October 21, 2020

First question. Have you had the A/C system leak tested by an A/C expert using flourescent dye?

Do you know for certain the lines are leaking?

They are just aluminium pipes and if they are not leaking just take the opportunity to corrosion proof them with Ditrinol or Waxoil where they run under the car. They will probably last for years if you do.

If they have a leak, which pipe is leaking or are they both leaking? The pipes are an imperial size the larger low pressure pipe is 1/2" outside diameter and the smaller high pressure pipe is 5/16" outside diameter. But you need to use special fittings.

The company that makes repair kits using hoses, blanking kits and specialist A/C fittings is an American firm S.U.R. & R. AUTO PARTS INC.

Search for https://surrauto.com/air-conditioning/

I used their fittings to blank off the fridge lines to the back of my car, they are not cheap but they made the job easy and they work perfectly.

John N

jimmygoodfaults · October 21, 2020

Hi John, that’s all new info to me so much appreciated.

I did have the pipes dyed some time ago,and one pipe was definitely leaking, but I can’t remember which.
Foolishly, I left it and now face a big bill to reinstate it all.

I found the pipes on Amayma for around £350 , but shipping was £750!

I have ordered the compressor,condenser and expansion valve from the states and Japan with some extra parts from China to see how they compare. So far £600 spent.

Im seeing an air con specialist next week to give me a full assessment, and hopefully he can fit a replacement rubber pipe without removing the tank..I did see a post on Lexus owners USA that someone had accomplished this, but the info was scant with no follow up.

i will post the findings, and any solutions after the assessment.

John N · October 21, 2020

Hi Jimmy

I know replacement pipes are still available, phone the spares department at your local Lexus Main Dealers, with no delivery charges thay can be a lot cheaper than importing them. (Don't forget to ask if there's a Trade Discount, on the price they give you. Being cheeky costs you nothing, but can save you money!)

I was quoted just over £1,000 from Lexus Stockport last year to replace both rear pipes. But when the clumsy fitter in their workshop destroyed the unions between the front and rear sections of pipe,Removal.pdf it meant all the A/C pipework on the car needed replacing! At that point I cancelled the job and blanked off the rear pipes instead.

Who has advised you to replace the expansion valve and why? They are usualy bomb proof, and like the evaporator are the last thing you want to touch. You have to strip the whole dashboard out of the car to get to them, and that costs serious time and money. (If it's not broke don't fix it.)

If you do go down the road of replacing the rear pipes make sure the work is done by someone with a lot of experiance of working on A/C gas lines, mistakes can be very expensive.

Best of luck

John N

Location.pdf Replacement.pdf Components.pdf

BigBoomer · October 22, 2020

You can get generic reinforced rubber hoses designed and rated to take R134a made in any length you like.
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/air-conditioning-hose-dash-8-1332-id

jimmygoodfaults · October 23, 2020

Thanks BB, that’s an interesting website!

jimmygoodfaults · November 28, 2020

After much research, I’ve found that the air con pipe can be replaced without removing the tank.

I took the car to Aircon Direct in Northfleet Kent, for an initial assessment. After putting the dye through,the leak was found in the usual place behind the fuel tank,the compressor and condenser and associated pipework all checked out ok.They charged £20.

Mark said he could replace the faulty pipe with a rubber hose,which would last as long as the car. The job would take about 3 hours.

I returned 2 weeks later, and the job was finished in the time stated. Mark showed me the offending part which was barely a metre long.

The price was £270 all in, a bargain especially since I was quoted various prices up to £2k elsewhere.

I can thoroughly recommend this firm,they are courteous and helpful and explained everything. http://www.ac4cars.co.uk/

steve2006 · November 28, 2020

Nice one Jimmy, given the known problems with this I feel there may be more business coming their way at that price compared with the alternatives.

The-Acre · November 28, 2020

1 hour ago, jimmygoodfaults said:

After much research, I’ve found that the air con pipe can be replaced without removing the tank.

I took the car to Aircon Direct in Northfleet Kent, for an initial assessment. After putting the dye through,the leak was found in the usual place behind the fuel tank,the compressor and condenser and associated pipework all checked out ok.They charged £20.

Mark said he could replace the faulty pipe with a rubber hose,which would last as long as the car. The job would take about 3 hours.

I returned 2 weeks later, and the job was finished in the time stated. Mark showed me the offending part which was barely a metre long.

The price was £270 all in, a bargain especially since I was quoted various prices up to £2k elsewhere.

I can thoroughly recommend this firm,they are courteous and helpful and explained everything. http://www.ac4cars.co.uk/

An excellent result, and excellent info, well done!

John N · November 28, 2020

Brilliant Jimmy

I'm pleased you've had a good result. I tried all the so called 'air-con' specialists I could find in Noth Manchester and non of them wanted to attempt a repair like that.

Unfortunatly it's a long way to Ebbsfleet from here.

John

jimmygoodfaults · November 28, 2020

Thanks everyone, all I can say is read all you can on the subject, and then you will know a real aircon specialist when you meet them.

unfortunately, there are too many out there that just do quick gas ups.

The only other place that might be a possibility for those further north is bee-cool-aircon.co.uk . I had bookmarked them for a visit , but found aircon direct closer to home. I can’t vouch for them, but may be worth a call.