A/C repair question

'02 Tacoma 4WD 6CYL 4DR... H line of A/C needs replaced. Big $$ job??

 

Its not a big money job if you do it yourself. The cost of the line and time.
Take it to a shop?......your going to pay big money.

 

So.

Go to the dealer and order a new hose.

Evacuate the system and recharge.

Lots of knowledge here, but you need to contribute on your end.

 

What is your skill set? Tools?

 

Certainly NOT a mechanic. Normal, everyday skills and tools

 

You can replace the line your self but only a shop can properly charge your AC system

 

That helps.

The part is not that expensive. Rock auto has all those parts and a pretty good picture to work from. If that part was $35 I would be surprised.

As for taking it to a shop, the cost won't be as bad as you think. Your a/c system is already empty,so the shop does not need to do a refrigerant recovery (takes time and uses an expensive machine).

If you replace the part yourself, then take it to a shop for an evacuation and fill, that would be a cheap route.

Learning about the system and buying the needed tools and parts would be the cheapest route. A vacuum pump and refrigeration gauges from harbor freight would be about $100 for both and they work great.

There are lots of You Tube vids on A/C service. It won't take long to learn the basics.

 

Recharging the system is the easy part. Getting the line that is circled disconnected from the evaporator (A/C core) is going to be a bitch. Bitch I mean gutting the underside of the dash board.
I repaired the evaporator core on a 95 Ford F150 one time and it took me a complete weekend working every bit of 12 hrs a day, that didn't include the recharge and everything that involves. I practically removed the entire dash to get the core out.

 

I think he means the line from the firewall to the condenser. You can do it, go slowly, keep dirt and grit out of the lines, lubricate O-rings and be careful when recharging

 

I do mean from the firewall to the condenser.

 

Thanks, brother!

 

Thank God for that!

I changed out the evaporator on my '98 Tacoma. Not a bad job, but the entire dash needs to come out, but still an all day affair.

 

Funny, I was gonna tag you if this thread went any further.