Replace the AC hose assembly on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4, including refrigerant recovery, hose replacement, and system recharge.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• AC hose assembly (specific to affected line) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• AC line O-rings × 4 — 90301-10010 or equivalent
• R-134a refrigerant × 1 — Approximately 18-20 oz total system capacity
• PAG 46 compressor oil × 1 — ND-11 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Ensure AC system has been off for at least 30 minutes to equalize pressure
2. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
3. Verify you have the correct replacement hose assembly for your specific Camry model year
4. Connect AC recovery machine according to manufacturer instructions
5. Prepare new O-rings and PAG oil for installation
6. Have clean shop towels and caps ready to seal open fittings immediately

Procedure

1. 1

   Recover refrigerant from AC system
   Connect the AC recovery machine to both high and low side service ports. Follow machine instructions to fully recover all R-134a refrigerant from the system. Record the amount recovered for recharge reference. Allow system to equalize and verify no residual pressure remains on gauges before proceeding.
2. 2

   Access the AC hose assembly
   Depending on which hose is being replaced: For suction/discharge lines, remove the engine cover by pulling upward on the clips. For liquid line access, you may need to remove the air intake duct and battery tray for better clearance. The hoses run from the compressor (driver side lower engine area) to the condenser and evaporator.
3. 3

   Disconnect hose at compressor
   Using a 17mm wrench, hold the compressor port fitting stationary while using a 14mm wrench to loosen the AC line nut. Once loose, completely unthread the fitting by hand. Immediately cap both the compressor port and hose end with protective caps to prevent contamination and moisture entry. Inspect the connection area for oil residue indicating the leak location.
   ⚠If any residual refrigerant escapes, wait for it to fully dissipate before continuing. Work in a well-ventilated area.
4. 4

   Disconnect hose at condenser or evaporator end
   Locate the opposite end of the hose assembly at either the condenser (front of vehicle behind grille) or evaporator (firewall near cabin). Use appropriate wrenches to disconnect the fitting, holding the stationary port while loosening the line nut. Cap both openings immediately. Note the routing path and any mounting clips before complete removal.
5. 5

   Remove hose mounting brackets
   Release the AC hose from any mounting clips or brackets along the engine bay. These typically use 10mm bolts or push-type retaining clips. Carefully extract the old hose assembly, noting the exact routing path for proper installation of the new hose.
6. 6

   Prepare new hose assembly
   Remove protective caps from the new hose assembly. Install new O-rings on all fittings, ensuring they are the correct size. Lightly coat each new O-ring with clean PAG 46 oil using your finger. Add approximately 1-2 oz of PAG oil into the new hose through one of the open ends, then rotate to coat the interior. This replaces oil lost with the old hose.
   ℹ️Use only the specified PAG oil type. Do not use petroleum-based oils which will damage the AC system.
7. 7

   Route new hose assembly
   Following the exact path of the old hose, route the new assembly through the engine bay. Ensure the hose does not contact hot exhaust components, sharp edges, or moving parts. Position all mounting bracket locations before connecting fittings.
8. 8

   Connect hose to compressor
   Remove the cap from the compressor port. Verify the new O-ring is properly seated in the hose fitting. Thread the fitting onto the compressor port by hand until finger-tight, ensuring it threads smoothly without cross-threading. Hold the compressor port stationary with one wrench while torquing the line nut to specification.
   Torque spec

   AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Connect hose to condenser or evaporator
   Remove the cap from the condenser or evaporator port. Verify O-ring is properly seated. Hand-thread the fitting completely, then torque to specification while holding the port stationary. Do not over-torque as this can damage the aluminum fittings.
   Torque spec

   AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Secure hose mounting brackets
    Install all mounting clips and brackets to secure the hose assembly in its proper position. Ensure the hose has no kinks, tight bends, or contact points with other components. Verify adequate clearance from the serpentine belt and other moving parts.
11. 11

    Vacuum test the AC system
    Connect the vacuum pump to the AC service ports via manifold gauges. Evacuate the system for a minimum of 45 minutes to reach at least 500 microns vacuum level. Close the manifold valves and observe for 15 minutes - vacuum level should hold steady, indicating no leaks. If vacuum drops, locate and repair the leak before proceeding.
    ℹ️Proper evacuation removes all air and moisture from the system, which is critical for AC performance and longevity.
12. 12

    Recharge AC system with refrigerant
    Using the refrigerant scale, charge the system with the amount of R-134a recovered in Step 1 (typically 18-20 oz for this vehicle). Charge through the low-side port only with engine running and AC on maximum cold. Monitor pressures on manifold gauges. Stop charging when the specified amount is added or when pressures reach normal operating range (low side 25-35 psi, high side 200-250 psi at ambient temperature).

Reassembly

1. Reinstall battery tray, air intake duct, and engine cover if removed during disassembly
2. Double-check that all AC line fittings are torqued to specification
3. Verify all mounting brackets are secure and hose routing is correct
4. Clean any spilled PAG oil from engine components

Verification

• Start the engine and turn AC to maximum cold setting
• Verify AC compressor clutch engages (audible click and compressor pulley spins)
• Check that cold air is produced from cabin vents within 1-2 minutes
• Monitor gauge pressures: low side should be 25-35 psi, high side 200-250 psi (varies with ambient temperature)
• Use UV dye and leak detection light to inspect all fittings for leaks if system was recharged with dye
• Listen for unusual noises from compressor or hissing sounds indicating leaks
• Verify vent temperature reaches approximately 40-45°F with ambient temperature around 75-80°F
• Test AC performance for 10-15 minutes to ensure consistent operation

More procedures for this vehicle