Breaking loose AC fittings? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

61_FL_Apache · 10-04-2014, 10:04 AM

Im working on my AC system and need to replace the dryer and orifice tube.. All of these fittings look to be aluminum and are kinda frozen. I have tried PB Blaster on them, but no luck..

The fittings on the dryer are tight up against the firewall making them a little harder to get too.. The orifice tube I can get to ok, but I don't want to put too much force on them.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Bigdav160 · 10-04-2014, 10:23 AM

The only thing that has worked for me is heat. Since it's up against the firewall you have to be careful. I use the smallest brazing tip on my torch. Expect to lose a couple threads anyway that will have to be cleaned up with a thread file.

You could just leave the dryer alone. The only reason to replace it is if, in the rare event, that the desiccant bag was to break open.

Kudzupatch · 10-04-2014, 05:05 PM

Flare nut wrenches. If they make any larger enough that is.

mountie · 10-07-2014, 05:04 PM

Last year I replaced my entire A/C system, front to back.

The dryer fittings may be corroded in the threads, and even if you manage to break 'em loose, ( like I had to, also).... The threads were pretty ugly.

It felt like 400 lbs torque to finally break loose!!
Insuring the new 'O' rings fit correctly, I found it was safer to get new stuff.

I was also concerned that re-tightening the damaged threads may seize.

61_FL_Apache · 10-07-2014, 06:59 PM

I was worried about that.. I still need to find my leak and then go from there. I have dye in the system, but see nothing visible. I know my compressor was leaking and thought I had it in the bag when I replaced it last Feb, but no luck. The Freon was on in a day..

speedygonzales · 10-08-2014, 06:32 AM

Should be no reason for a leak when you vacuum the system. You should give it some time to see if it holds vacuum before charging it.

If the system is empty, try pressurizing it to find the leak. Usually makes it much easier to look for bubbles then die.

Don't forget the evaporator can leak and that is somewhat harder to find. However if you pressurize the fittings going to it, you can see if the pressure stays up.

10-04-2014, 10:04 AM	#1
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,071	Breaking loose AC fittings? Im working on my AC system and need to replace the dryer and orifice tube.. All of these fittings look to be aluminum and are kinda frozen. I have tried PB Blaster on them, but no luck.. The fittings on the dryer are tight up against the firewall making them a little harder to get too.. The orifice tube I can get to ok, but I don't want to put too much force on them. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help! __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

10-04-2014, 10:23 AM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Breaking loose AC fittings? The only thing that has worked for me is heat. Since it's up against the firewall you have to be careful. I use the smallest brazing tip on my torch. Expect to lose a couple threads anyway that will have to be cleaned up with a thread file. You could just leave the dryer alone. The only reason to replace it is if, in the rare event, that the desiccant bag was to break open. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

10-04-2014, 05:05 PM	#3
Kudzupatch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: GUNTERSVILLE Posts: 621	Re: Breaking loose AC fittings? Flare nut wrenches. If they make any larger enough that is.

10-07-2014, 05:04 PM	#4
mountie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bradenton, Fla. Posts: 1,100	Re: Breaking loose AC fittings? Last year I replaced my entire A/C system, front to back. The dryer fittings may be corroded in the threads, and even if you manage to break 'em loose, ( like I had to, also).... The threads were pretty ugly. It felt like 400 lbs torque to finally break loose!! Insuring the new 'O' rings fit correctly, I found it was safer to get new stuff. I was also concerned that re-tightening the damaged threads may seize. __________________ '70 GTO Midnight Blue '88 GMC Sierra SLE 392,000 miles-(2018) sold to Classic car shop in Germany. '93 Cadillac STS Black '93 Mercedes SL 500 Teal '86 Yamaha FZ750 - 15,000 RPM '86 Yamaha FJ1200 - Criminally Fast 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB, I drive it - don't own it. '05 GMC Yukon XL , SLT 4wd ( just purchased 2018)

10-07-2014, 06:59 PM	#5
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,071	Re: Breaking loose AC fittings? I was worried about that.. I still need to find my leak and then go from there. I have dye in the system, but see nothing visible. I know my compressor was leaking and thought I had it in the bag when I replaced it last Feb, but no luck. The Freon was on in a day.. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

10-08-2014, 06:32 AM	#6
speedygonzales Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Smithfield, VA Posts: 1,501	Re: Breaking loose AC fittings? Should be no reason for a leak when you vacuum the system. You should give it some time to see if it holds vacuum before charging it. If the system is empty, try pressurizing it to find the leak. Usually makes it much easier to look for bubbles then die. Don't forget the evaporator can leak and that is somewhat harder to find. However if you pressurize the fittings going to it, you can see if the pressure stays up. __________________ 99 Z71 (98 body style) Pride and joy



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