quote:
Originally posted by George Des
Having these new high pressure--R134A compliant--fittings crimped on by a garage is not cheap. I don't recall paying as much, but it was enough to convince me to go out and buy my own crimper--one that could be used to crimp the fittings while the hoses were being fitted in the car because it is very difficult to get a good measurement, take it to someone with the crimper and come back only to find out it was either too long or too short. Trust me, I went through this several times and the measurements are not easy when you are working these A/C hoses under the hood and through the dash--for some reason or other the old adage of "measure twice, cut once" just doesn't seem to apply here and having a crimper in hand made all the difference even though the crimper isn't cheap either.
George Des
George,
When custom hose manufacture by the cut and fit, cut and fit, cut and fit, fit and crimp method is what you need, then a portable or hand hose end crimper is the only thing that will do, I suppose...but I wouldn't trust hand-crimped hose for sure.
But, R134A systems are not high pressure. I don't know what the specific ratings are per compressor, but the hose ratings are working in the 600 psi range, and burst in the 2,000 psi range. This is generally called medium pressure; hydraulic hose such as SAE R2-R16 have working pressures in the thousands, and burst pressures sometimes exceeding 20,000 psi.
That's high pressure.
The crimping for hydraulic assemblies (which I have done regularly as I have about a dozen 3/4" hoses, double ended, that need replacement annually but not all at the same time)is done on a hydraulic press, not a hand press, and it is a one step operation that is independent of the hose style or the pressure rating. My guy here in Michigan charges a per foot price for the hose; a per fitting price for each end. Because the hose I buy is a good size at 3/4", and has a high pressure rating, it is about $6 per foot. The fittings are about $9 each. They don't even charge me for the crimping.
I've seen other places on the internet for example, that charge $24 for a custom R134a refrigerant hose with choice of 2 sizes, and several fittings as well; price goes up if you go longer.
But it sounds like someone might be giving you a line. If you go to a hose place (not a garage!) they'll give you reasonable prices for just crimping.
As the saying used to go, let your fingers do the walking, (now on the internet) and trust your judgement.
BTW I wouldn't want any a/c or high pressure hose crimped in a hand press. The a/c systems lose refrigerant too easy and are expensive to service, and leaky high pressure hoses are a pain. I've seen enough bad work out there, and I'm sure you have too. Seek out a good supplier! They are out there
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
