Currently stumped on my LS400...

[hockeyedwards]

So I posted about finding condenser and drier unit, which I have ordered and received form rockauto - really is a great site to use time and time again.

I am now in limbo and its stalled my 'build', the pipe that comes out the top of the drier unit was brittle and broke off upon removal. I have tried rockauto and amayama, rock doesn't stock it and amayama supplier has no stock so refund was issued.

I'm now in the position of living life searching for this darn pipe. However, my inner cheat is thinking I could find something else to do its job? I am not an AC specialist by any means but could anyone recommend anything? Or if you happen to be breaking I would bite your hand off for it! 😄 I'll put the diagram for pipe below as well as a real life pic.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[shanra]

Have you tried Lexus original parts sites in USA?

[Howplum]

Or this site:

https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya-avtomobilej/toyota/lexus-ls-42404/ucf20-55848/ucf20r-aepgkw-937332

 

[hockeyedwards]

Thanks chaps I will give them a look over! 🙂

[shanra]

https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-tube-liquid-no-1~88716-50280.html

I think this may be it.

[hockeyedwards]

That's the puppy, just had a look and most sites say 'discontinued', I'll drop them an email to see if they do indeed have it in stock. Thanks 😄

[shanra]

The postage will probably cost as much as the part but if you need it....

[hockeyedwards]

2 hours ago, shanra said:

The postage will probably cost as much as the part but if you need it....

Yeah I had already accepted my fate when I had ordered from Amayama for the shipping costs, but been refunded now as its 'discontinued', will await reply from above website and then search breakers 😄

[Tinonline]

I'd try Lexus to see what they have and Lexus parts direct might do you a cut price...

Other options are breakers...

Or they'll be an aircon magician who will fabricate a new one probably using the brackets from the old pipe. I bet that will be cheaper than a new bit.

US would be my get out of jail card. 🧐

 

[hockeyedwards]

Everywhere is 'part discontinued' which doesn't surprise me. I will keep an eye out for breakers and hope in the mean time a AC magician manifests themselves conveniently to my house!

Thanks for all the suggestions peeps 🙂

[Razor61]

I can’t see from the picture where the pipe is broken, is the pipe itself broken or is it broken where it goes into the fitting? If the fittings themselves are not corroded you may be able get the pipe repaired by soldering or brazing, someone in that type of trade (car radiator repairer maybe?) may be able to help.

[hockeyedwards]

It is super tough to see and I've uploaded the pic which doesn't show the tip that is broken. In this pic its actually the one out of focus, the very last 1-2mm is missing.

Gonna reach out to automotive friends to offer up and solutions as well! Maybe someone will volunteer to give it a bash haha!

[Tinonline]

Well there’s no way you can’t get or repair this...a matter of finding the solution provider...

[hockeyedwards]

Hence my post here 😉 always looking for another way out! 😛

[Razor61]

Ah, I think I know now, is it broken on the fitting itself where the O ring fits and this fits into the drier?

I replaced the drier on my LS400 last year, the AC guy said to be very careful and gave me some advice on how to remove it. Advice was to loosen the clamp round the drier, loosen the bolt on the fitting a mm or so and give it sharp tap with a small hammer to break the seal and then loosen another mm if needed and tap again until it pulls straight down and out and do not twist or wobble it out. Bit late advice now but may help someone else. Of course if the AC system has been empty for a time the fittings may have suffered corrosion and may just break regardless as I think they are aluminium but can’t remember for sure.

[hockeyedwards]

1 hour ago, Razor61 said:

fitting itself where the O ring fits and this fits into the drier?

Yessir! Old planky mc plankface here wobbled it and the last bit of the fitment into the drier just crumbled on its way out. 😞

Live and learn and as you say, may help someone else from making same mistake!

[shanra]

Unfortunately they do suffer corrosion or different metals reacting against each other. My A/C man damaged pipe going to compressor, not much but enough to leak!

[Razor61]

15 hours ago, hockeyedwards said:

the last bit of the fitment into the drier just crumbled on its way out

maybe it was corroded too much and would have broken whatever.

12 hours ago, shanra said:

My A/C man damaged pipe going to compressor, not much but enough to leak!

I also replaced the AC Compressor last year (replaced the drier while I was at it), one of the connectors/pipe came off no problem but the other one was a a swine to pull out. I needed some pump pliers in the end to grip it enough and pull it out correctly, took quite a while though with stopping having a rest and calming down in between attempts😉 The advice from the AC guy about not twisting or wobbling it out stopped me from being impatient otherwise it could have been a disaster.

[steve2006]

Pretty sure there is one in my shed stock, getting dark now but will forage tomorrow.

[hockeyedwards]

5 hours ago, Razor61 said:

one of the connectors/pipe came off no problem but the other one was a a swine to pull out.

Sounds like one of the lines from my condenser, had to go walk the dog very briskly to calm down 😆

1 hour ago, steve2006 said:

Pretty sure there is one in my shed stock, getting dark now but will forage tomorrow.

Oooooo please o please o pleaseeeeee, currently looking at ways to make shift my own but youtube and autotrader are very distracting!

[hockeyedwards]

On 2/5/2021 at 5:05 PM, steve2006 said:

Pretty sure there is one in my shed stock, getting dark now but will forage tomorrow.

Any joy?

[Razor61]

If you can't get the original pipe maybe you can get a pipe with the same connector. Cut the connector off and braze it onto the original pipe somehow or get a flexible piece crimped onto it so you have a working assy. Something like the one below maybe.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-TOYOTA-AURIS-AC-AIRCON-PIPE-HOSE-2006-2012/383912573470?hash=item5962f8fa1e:g:vCsAAOSwjXxgCV3B

[hockeyedwards]

I've been given details on a local AC specialist from a friend of a friend and I've shot him a message asking if he can sort me out! If not then DIY route is happening as I want the car on the road end of the month 😄

[steve2006]

Shed search delayed due to snow! Has a quick look inside but couldn’t open lower door, will attempt again asap.

[rich1068]

There's all sorts in there!