Chrysler: Warning about Dodge Caravan A/C Hose Leaks

Myron Johnson wrote: 

You may want to check the motor mounts also. Could be that the motor
mount is shot and allowing more motion that intended. Obviously, I'm
assuming there is a rubber vibration damper in the mount, but since I
haven't looked closely at a 95 Caravan, I'm not certain of their design.

Matt

On 2 Oct 2003, Myron Johnson wrote:
 

Not fun, to be sure, but could be a whole hell of a lot worse.
 

Oh, now come on. It is not. If that's all you can put on the table if
we're comparing royal-pain fixes, I'm gonna win without even trying.
 

....not a difficult job...
 

You're whining. This isn't a tough job. Three *whole* fittings to
disconnect? C'mon.
 

....right off the shelf of any major parts house, for pocket change
apiece...
 

Because it cannot properly be done ON the car. The hose assembly must be
removed.

DS

On 2 Oct 2003 17:18:47 -0700, com (Myron Johnson) wrote:
 

Another spot to look at is on the 1999-2001 models where the wiring
harness that goes through a hole in the front motor mount bracket.
Stick your head under the front of the car and look up.

It is in a loom and taped with electrical tape, but the bracket is
very sharp and looks like it will start to wear the wires away over
time.

BTW some of these wires go to the starter motor

psycho

Myron Johnson wrote: 


Do you mean to tell me that you only go 8 years out of the part? For shame!

So your A/C is going to cost you 500 bucks to repair. $500/(8x12)=
$5.33 per month - compare that to new car payments so you can get a
"repair-free" new A/C system.


Besides, you can't have an 8 year old Chrysler product. They don't last
that long! Just ask anyone on the foreign car newsgroups.

Over 8 years, everything starts to sag a little bit. Especially long
runs of un-supported tubing, attached to a fixed point on one end and a
moving point on the other.
Dan

"Daniel J. Stern" <umich> wrote in message news:<engin.umich.edu>... 
..... 

.... 

Jeepers...isn't anybody allowed to whine here?

Seriously, what makes this really frustrating is that it is entirely
preventable if you know about the problem and provide some additional
separation of the hose and the motor mount. I'm hoping this post might
save some other poor soul from having to do this repair.

I'm no noob on PITA car repairs. Try changing the whole rear axle on a
1970 Buick LeSabre sometime...by yourself...in a freezing garage...and
then finding out that the junkyard KNOWINGLY sold you the wrong part
(one inch too big)...and having to remove it and do it all over again
with the correct part!

I don't like taking sealed freon fittings and tubing apart when they
are functioning perfectly at the moment. The suction tubing that tees
at the front H-Valve is pretty small and the attached tubing is
several feet long (rear air, remember?). If I (or the guy repairing
the hose) bends it and it cracks, I'm out $300+ for a new part, plus
the wasted time and cost of the first repair. And it's still 110
degrees in my garage here in Phoenix....