How to distinguish barrier AC hoses?

[Italian_Tuneup]

I'm doing an R134 conversion as part of my engine swap.. the car is an early 85 so no barrier hoses. How can one tell if a hose is a barrier type? I need the ones under the dash, and I see them on Ebay but I don't want to plunk down money and end up with the same I already have. Any markings, etc that could narrow it down?

[nrubenstein]

I don’t believe that they were ever sold as barrier hoses. If you want to convert them, you’ll need to go get barrier hose crimped on.

[roguetoaster]

I don't believe there is a uniform standard of hose marking, but I can say that if you see any with Eaton labelled hose you should be in business.

If you want to be really sure, just make your own SUR&R and Eaton EZ Clip systems/kits are out there that will work for the application, but maybe not the budget.

[nrubenstein]

Way back when, I bought a hose crimping kit. It’s been very valuable to me.

[cory58]

Not sure exactly which hoses you are needing, but I've been able to get several 134a hoses new from BMW. On the parts diagram at RealOEM, it will list whether the hose is compatible with 134a. Just be sitting down when you find a current price.

[nrubenstein]

Not sure exactly which hoses you are needing, but I've been able to get several 134a hoses new from BMW. On the parts diagram at RealOEM, it will list whether the hose is compatible with 134a. Just be sitting down when you find a current price.

WAY cheaper to get new hose crimped on to the old ends.

[cory58]

WAY cheaper to get new hose crimped on to the old ends.

So true if you have a good crimping tool or reliable source for hoses.

[jeffnhiscars]

I spoke with Aeroquip who made the OE hoses I was replacing and they confirmed they were not barrier hoses. They also gave me the spec for refrigerant leakage in grams/inch/hour or something to that effect. The difference between r12 and f134 on the OE hoses was about 10x, keeping in mind that the mineral oil impregnated in to the OE hose will help in the short term.

I also needed the 2 hoses behind the glove box and one was NLA the other was silly expensive. Luckily I found a NIB pair on eBay from a seller In Israel, and sent those out to have the hoses converted. As I recall, barrier hose is actually thinner than non and typically there are markings just as there are on fuel lines so you can tell what you've got.

Look for shops that do hydraulics as some are equipped for and are willing to do hose upgrades.

Hoses to the condenser are still available and are upgraded. I just bought the condenser to drier hose on amazon for $37. Made by Four Season who makes most of the replacement AC parts sold, including compressors. FWIW I also got a behr drier on amazon for $18.

[Italian_Tuneup]

Thanks all for the tips. I think I'll find a place to re-crimp. I'm going to need some hose work done on the M60 PS pump anyhow.

[r-mm]

Its technically for ac only not hydraulic lines but the mastercool manual crimp tool is $150 well spent on a very nicely made easy to use tool. Coldhose.com has all the bits and pieces you need to make pretty much any line.

https://www.amazon.com/MASTERCOOL-71550-Black-Manual-Crimper/dp/B000WBQ4U2

[nrubenstein]

Its technically for ac only not hydraulic lines but the mastercool manual crimp tool is $150 well spent on a very nicely made easy to use tool. Coldhose.com has all the bits and pieces you need to make pretty much any line.

https://www.amazon.com/MASTERCOOL-71.../dp/B000WBQ4U2

Yeah, I have this. (It was a lot more expensive when I bought it.) It’s a real game changer for AC work.

That said, if you’re only doing one car, it’s probably still cheaper to get a shop to do it. And a proper hydraulic crimper will get a nicer crimp on.