A/C Line Repair Kit- worth having in advance for a rainy day?

[GON]

Came across a S.U.R.&R. AC1387 Deluxe A/C Line Repair Kit.

Wondered if a kit like this is beneficial to have "on the shelf" in case of a unforecasted need?

AC1387 Advantages:

• Repair damaged aluminum lines including pinholes, cracks, kinks and more
• On-the-car repairs made simple
• Make connections easily by hand; no specialty tools required
• Covers common line sizes including 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, & 3/4”
• Compression unions and line adapters designed specifically
  for A/C repair applications
• Conforms to SAE J2064 specifications for low permeability
• Pressure rated up to 600 PSI

https://surrauto.com/kits/ac1387/

 

[LazyDog]

This is a flip the coin idea, plus the cost of the item. How often had you need to a AC repair

 

[GON]

This is a flip the coin idea, plus the cost of the item. How often had you need to a AC repair

Currently I am having numerous ac issues in multiple vehicles. If @Chris142 lived near me, I would simply ask him to service. Where I live I don't know any automotive ac techs.

A month ago wife hired a landscaper to fix a leak in a sprinkler system..pretty easier repair, charged $600. He didn't fix it, had to hire another guy at $560. Hope he fixed it

I have zero confidence in hiring people. Sprinkler systems with a leak are generally easy repairs. See where the water is coming out, put in a patch.

 

[John105]

This is a flip the coin idea, plus the cost of the item. How often had you need to a AC repair

My personal experience is once in my lifetime, I just wanted to make sure the Buick Enclave wasn't low on refrigerant because there would be a hiss sound during normal operation. It wasn't and I was thinking there was truly no way I didn't lose some gas to the environment, and I questioned is this really a DIY job since all I had was that manifold with the 2 gauges....not to mention the car was designed with a PF48 oil filter and had the PF63 for 2011. That filter being longer necessarily obstructed the fitting for the AC....to go even deeper and repair lines, I just don't think it's a typical DIY'er's realm. But if one is really going to use that kit, why not? I do have tools that I don't use but bought to have, all of us are like that here lol

 

[Smoky14]

Try the drip depot for really good drip system repair items. A connector which is better than the one you got is less than five bucks and easy DIY.
Smoky

 

[GON]

Try the drip depot for really good drip system repair items. A connector which is better than the one you got is less than five bucks and easy DIY.
Smoky

The picture you see cost me $600 then $560 for a total of $1150..and I live in a very low cost area......

 

[GON]

Try the drip depot for really good drip system repair items. A connector which is better than the one you got is less than five bucks and easy DIY.
Smoky

When I return to CONUS I will likely pex a the entire sprinkler system.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Good help is hard to find.

On the AC line - once your refrigerant is gone your better off with a new complete hose IMHO. By the time your going to find the leak, evac the system, etc you might as well do it right.

Currently I am having numerous ac issues in multiple vehicles. If @Chris142 lived near me, I would simply ask him to service. Where I live I don't know any automotive ac techs.

How far away is that. Maybe he would make a mobile mechanic weekend trip - see the sites, fix some cars, etc. Everything is available at the right price.

 

[Donald]

I am not a A/C repair guy but just from my limited knowledge a lot of leaks are in condenser or O-rings or fill valve. Not sure the kit will help with any of those.

There is more to A/C repair than fixing the leak. You need to pull a vacuum for 30 min and see if it holds then maybe add some of the correct oil and fill the system by weight.

 

[blkwtr]

This kit doesn't look like the way to make a proper repair. If you have a refrigerant leak, you should fix or replace the leaking part, replace the dryer, vacuum the system and recharge it.

 

[Chris142]

Currently I am having numerous ac issues in multiple vehicles. If @Chris142 lived near me, I would simply ask him to service. Where I live I don't know any automotive ac techs.

A month ago wife hired a landscaper to fix a leak in a sprinkler system..pretty easier repair, charged $600. He didn't fix it, had to hire another guy at $560. Hope he fixed it

I have zero confidence in hiring people. Sprinkler systems with a leak are generally easy repairs. See where the water is coming out, put in a patch.

View attachment 284704

That push on fitting job cost $600? Did they have to break up a slab to get to it?

 

[Mazomopar]

Currently I am having numerous ac issues in multiple vehicles. If @Chris142 lived near me, I would simply ask him to service. Where I live I don't know any automotive ac techs.

A month ago wife hired a landscaper to fix a leak in a sprinkler system..pretty easier repair, charged $600. He didn't fix it, had to hire another guy at $560. Hope he fixed it

I have zero confidence in hiring people. Sprinkler systems with a leak are generally easy repairs. See where the water is coming out, put in a patch.

View attachment 284704

Yikes..

 

[GON]

That push on fitting job cost $600? Did they have to break up a slab to get to it?

The pipe was under a few inches of landscape stone......

 

[AZjeff]

She paid the female at home rate. Crooks

 

[CKN]

Good help is hard to find.

On the AC line - once your refrigerant is gone your better off with a new complete hose IMHO. By the time your going to find the leak, evac the system, etc you might as well do it right.


How far away is that. Maybe he would make a mobile mechanic weekend trip - see the sites, fix some cars, etc. Everything is available at the right price.

Good help is hard to find if you want to be cheap............

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

I’ve repaired an ac hose, where it’s crimped to the metal line. It was with a professional kit, I think mighty? It didn’t last. I don’t think it was worth the trouble, replacing the line would’ve been just as easy (even if the repair had lasted). My friend who ran a shop swore by these repairs so I didn’t have the heart to show him that it didn’t last, but in his head his repairs were lasting. I wouldn’t think the repairs were successful for more than a season though.

 

[Nukeman7]

I don't think it would be cost effective to buy that universal repair kit for A/C lines unless you plan on repairing them several times a year. I repaired a corroded/abraded aluminum high pressure line in May '24 with a splicing hose kit from Auto Cooling Solutions as discussed in Post #25 in this BITOG thread. As of today, the system is still leak free and working like new. Unless you plan to move to a salt belt state and have vehicles with rear A/C, I would not anticipate frequent failures of the A/C hard lines.