So on a new-to-me steal of a deal, I have acquired a 2003 S-Type with 31k miles on it. It was in a very minor accident where it jumped over a curb before I procured it. Most everything seemed OK, but what I discovered is that the low pressure service port at the bottom of the chassis for the AC was basically forced to one side, which caused a twist and tear in the line right there.

Square around the broken tube, arrow pointing towards right front wheel well for orientation.



It is referred to in the service manual as: Manifold and tube assembly - A/C compressor. It is the tube assembly that connects to the compressor. The manifold connection point is behind the compressor in this image.






Here is what it looks like at the compressor connection. Tube moving back away in this image is the one that has the tear in it. The other is the high pressure line that connects to the condenser.




So, I took a look at JPart, and it has the part number listed as: XR833219. Now, the image in JPart doesn't look like mine and I assume this is because this part seemingly changed several times in the short run of S-Types and this is only representing the function, not exact image of it (this is what causes me problems....stay tuned).



Here is where the problems start. When searching eBay, parts come up, even specifies this exact part number, but it surely isn't this part. It looks like the similar in function part, but not shaped the same: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Jaguar+XR833219

I cannot find this part ANYwhere. The only images I can find of it are drawn, and using this same stock image. Cary Jaguar says they have that part number, but as you can see the image is drawn. Crazy expensive and they are well known for saying they have every part known to man for Jaguars, only for them to tell you yeah/nah when you actually order it. Still, I could buy an entire parts jag for that much.




The one thing I noticed from this image is the criss-crossed lines at the manifold/compressor connection and the lack of low side service port, the 2 distinguishing features of this one portion of the hose. So, does anyone have any suggestions here? If so, I am all ears. My best hope right now is that a pick n' pull place near me (of which there are few) has a model VIN M45255 to N50315 and I can pull it of myself (bc good luck trying to describe this to the full service salvage guys, they don't know what i am talking about and don't care really). However, who knows when that will be. I do have some time as this won't be back on the road until probably autumn and I am sure the heat works. Outside of that, any ideas would be great. I am not sure something like this could be repaired for a lot of reasons, not even sure if that is an option around these parts either. I know there is a solution, I just don't yet know what it is.

Mike

 

disregard

 

That line is a booger to find and harder to replace. I suggest checking these guys out. They made a line for me that saved my butt on an 06 str. They have premade stuff too. I think they have a splice with the low fitting on it. https://www.autocoolingsolutions.com/pages/fix-your-ac-fast-american-made-hose-line-repair-kits-for-cars-trucks?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22471408022&gcl id=CjwKCAjwv5zEBhBwEiwAOg2YKHUiGRHAy51GFXk0yU7HUZ7 bk0ncmZ-eArOAAfeAnkVj1RbZud_OsxoCtfkQAvD_BwE.

check the dorman stuff too

 

This probably does not help much, but maybe it gives you new ideas:
I did have the same issue with a similarly looking power-steering tube on the S-Type, which is in the same area - it was leaking. It was impossible to source the correct one - I ordered one from the US, and only after I received it, I noticed that it seems to be right, but it is not - it was slightly different. Only then I realized that the difference is due to me having a RHD and the US is LHD. I then used some trickery and actually managed to reshape the LHD tube-assy into something, which works for RHD. Is works perfectly.

So if you see a tube-assy for your A/C, which seems to be right, but is not really, it could be the same issue, that you have a RHD and what you found is for LHD (I do not know, if there are differences). Maybe you can modify the tube-assy, which is slightly different...

 

if you’re really down bad you can use compression fittings to splice

 

exactly. And i think i have seen them with the low side fitting

 

Both links go to the same place, but I think I can find the Dorman stuff.

Also, MAN! This is exactly why I love this small little forum. While the suggestion isn't really Jag specific, this is why I posted the question here as I have a tendency to have tunnel vision when trying to find a solution. For some reason, it didn't even occur to me that I could use something like this. I was thinking to hard in the same direction, i.e. welding/braising, etc. This makes a lot more sense to be honest. I imagine the fact they are hard to replace/remove even and the lack of finding the part stem from the same place. Looking at it, I bet the subframe would have to come completely out to even begin to try to replace that part. I feel much less worried about this now.

Granted the spot that needs to be replace here is a little bit tricky, especially since it also includes the low side service port. However, if I can't get one with the port already built in, I suppose I could cut one off a donor or, shoot, for that matter, just get one off any tube from any vehicle with the same diameter tubing since the port itself is standardized and use 2 of these flexible hoses, one on each side of the port.

That sounds frustrating - when it is "just different" enough to be a pain. To clarify, I am in the US, so have an LHD and I believe that is what I am looking at here. I think for these, they wouldn't be different between LHD and RHD anyway. Good thought though.

I will need to do some searching to see if I can find the splice compression piece that has the low side port. I honestly wasn't thinking compression could withstand the higher pressure of even the "low" pressure side. Thanks again guys! I think you all saved me from giving my future self a really crappy job to try to do!

Mike

 

Well, while I am not counting my chickens here, in less than 24 hours, I went from thinking a job was going to be a HUGE pain and maybe $$$ to well, maybe not terrible after all. Thanks again! You guys are awesome from helping me see the forest.

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-hea...directUrl=true