So it looks like over the last 4 years a bolt I planned on cutting on my compressor bracket has worn a small hole into an AC line it's at a point where I think I might be able to patch it but wanted to get a second opinion before I start globbing that stuff all over it. Thoughts? Pic attached

 

Has all your refrigerant leaked out already? If so, at that point you may as well replace the line. Hard to tell where that is.....is it one that is easily replaceable or does tangle through the entire engine bay? If you haven't lost all your refrigerant, then I'd say give it a try gooping it up. Borrow a manifold from autoparts store to top the system off though, don't use those cheap things that come on cans of refrigerant when you buy em.

 

It's the line that runs past the brake booster and is a pair 55111375AH looks to be the part number. Edit- no the refrigerant hasn't leaked out completely. I think it just finally started leaking so it's not that bad

 

Cannot determine "is the line leaking" The wear is definitely into the protective coating.. Does AC Clutch engage? still blow cold air? If the refrigerant leaded out then the low pressure switch would keep the AC clutch from engaging.. With this.. LINE Replacement required... why -- if high pressure line it works around 200 psi.. low pressure line works around 30 psi. Good Luck.. resharp's suggestion on getting the guage manifold set is good,, be sure it is a set with R134a fittings.

 

Just checked with soapy water it BARELY leaks when running and does not when off might just plug it with mastic tape, a hose clamp or three and a piece of slit heater hose as a temp bandaid until I can get to it . To replace that line it looks like the intake has to come off, so I'll see if I can find a shop to evacuate the system for me and I'll replace it myself and bring it back to have it recharged. I need to remove the intake to change PCV and spark plugs/coils anyway so might as well do all that at the same time. It's also possible that it might be able to repaired with a proper cut/flare/clamp setup.

 

The only thing hard about a/c work is evacuating the system. Once evacuated, you could replace the line yourself AND recharge the system should you care to. You can "rent" both the manifold and a vacuum pump at the auto stores, and you should be able to easily locate the spec for the system's capacity of oil and refrigerant. Filling the system is pretty easy and straightforward. The hardest part is the time it takes to pull a vacuum on the system and confirm it's holding. I guess that depends on what a shop charges you to recharge it....compared to your cost of $15+/-. I replaced much of an a/c system on my old Infiniti I30 commuter car earlier this year. It was a great learning experience to see those systems aren't as complicated as many make them out to be.

 

OK, you still have R134a in system. good luck sealing off.. Remember the AC system runs when in defrost mode. And a key element is to keep moisture out of the system.

 

Did a patch today with JB steel stick and a Hamms beer can overwrap. Going to do one more pass at it over the ends of the patch and call it good. I did get a better look at the leak when I was cleaning everything up and it was so tiny I have a feeling that this should work no problems. I will be able to watch it now and if it does leak I'll get the part and replace it when I do my PCV/plugs/coils since it looks like it enters the firewall behind the intake

 

y, it should enter the expansion valved right there. I haven't messed with AC on the JK, but most of the time you can disconnect that from the expansion valve right there in the engine bay. Hopefully your patch holds. As mentioned above, the bigger risk was moisture getting in the system more than refrigerant leaking out. Time will tell.

 

Drove in today with defrost on the whole time- patch is dry as a bone all around. Next is get it evacuated and recharged. Hoping it didn't let any moisture in also. But if it did I guess I'll pay the idiot tax down the road, there are worse things that can happen in life