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Mon May 21, 2018 10:10 pm

I'm working on restoring AC to my 1991 Westy. I thought I had pieced together the necessary parts, but I'm finding that the low pressure pipe will not connect to the previous hose end. The previous hose maie end (appears to be factory) has a notch in it which won't fit inside the female end of the pipe. Is there anyone that has experienced this before?

Tue May 22, 2018 3:33 am

Obviously something is new to the Van. These two parts were not previously a whole.

The items are all used items.
Please tell us what bits you've gathered.

I see original old hose. I would for sure stop now and install new hoses in the entire system. Using old parts like this simply doom your work to short term success but long term disappointment.

Dave

Thu May 24, 2018 12:11 am

Thanks for your help. Yes, the small pipe and the compressor are all new. The previous owner left the original rubber hoses, but removed all the pieces that attach the compressor and connect to the compressor. That is what I'm trying to replace. The metal hose is from a 1991 van, but for some reason does not have the notched end to it that is required by the rubber hose end.

Any other ideas?

Thu May 24, 2018 3:26 am

Save yourself doing the job again when the 30 year old hoses allow the refrigerant to escape.

Use EZ Clip hose ends and new barrier hose throughout.

Dave

Thu May 24, 2018 9:02 am

djkeev wrote: Save yourself doing the job again when the 30 year old hoses allow the refrigerant to escape.

Use EZ Clip hose ends and new barrier hose throughout.
^^^^

This! New hose is not that expensive, and the EZ Clip connectors are a breeze to use.

Thu May 24, 2018 9:33 am

What is involved in converting to ez clips? Do they need special crimp tools?

Thu May 24, 2018 9:53 am

Follow this link, while not specifically your year vehicle, the basics all apply on rebuilding the system. The EZ clips are clearly shown.
They are a crimp style system and proven to be very effectice. It is a fantastic hose end system for the DIY person.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=583818

Dave

Thu May 24, 2018 5:55 pm

^^^ x2...

If I'd had another $200 in the budget, I'd have gone with the EZ-clip system for sure.

I went with new (cheap!) crimp fittings, $20 to the local hose fabricator for the actual crimping
& it was a pain in the a$$ to fish the fittings through the body, cabinets, bulkheads, etc... :roll: :evil:

EZ-clip fittings go on after the bare hose is already fished into place...much better! 8)

- Dave