hvac

AC Hose - Low Side

for 2021 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 · FWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.5 h

Tools

Steps

Replace the low-side AC hose on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4, including refrigerant recovery, hose removal, installation with new O-rings, and system recharge.

Warnings

⚠️AC refrigerant R-1234yf is mildly flammable and can cause frostbite. Always wear safety glasses and gloves. Recovery must be performed by EPA-certified technician with approved equipment.

⚠Do not open AC system without first fully recovering refrigerant. Releasing refrigerant into atmosphere is illegal and harmful to the environment.

⚠UV dye and compressor oil will spill when disconnecting lines. Have shop towels ready and avoid skin contact.

ℹ️This vehicle uses R-1234yf refrigerant, NOT R-134a. Do not mix refrigerant types or use incorrect equipment.

Tools required

AC recovery/recharge machineEssential

Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

12mm socket and ratchetEssential

14mm flare nut wrenchEssential

17mm flare nut wrench

Trim panel removal tools

Shop towelsEssential

Safety glassesEssential

Refrigerant leak detector

Parts

AC low-side hose assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
AC line O-ring kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
PAG oil (ND-12 or compatible) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

R-1234yf refrigerant

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
Verify AC system refrigerant type is R-1234yf (check underhood label)
Gather EPA-approved AC recovery/recharge equipment certified for R-1234yf
Purchase correct low-side hose for your specific Camry model year and configuration

Procedure

1
Recover AC refrigerant
Connect AC recovery machine to both high and low-side service ports. Follow machine instructions to fully recover all refrigerant from the system. Record the amount recovered for recharge reference. Wait 5 minutes after recovery completes to ensure system is fully depressurized.
2
Remove engine cover and locate low-side hose
Remove the plastic engine cover by pulling upward on the clips. The low-side AC hose runs from the accumulator/drier (passenger side of engine bay near firewall) to the compressor. The low-side hose is the larger diameter line and typically has the low-pressure service port attached.
Torque spec
Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3
Disconnect low-side hose at accumulator
Locate the connection between the low-side hose and the accumulator near the firewall. Use a 14mm flare nut wrench to loosen the fitting. Have shop towels ready to catch residual oil. Once loose, carefully separate the connection and immediately cap both openings to prevent contamination.
⚠Residual compressor oil and UV dye will drain from fittings. Keep towels ready and avoid getting oil on painted surfaces.
4
Disconnect low-side hose at compressor
Access the compressor connection on the lower front of the engine (driver's side). Use appropriate flare nut wrench (typically 17mm) to disconnect the low-side hose from the compressor. Support the hose while loosening to prevent twisting the aluminum tubing. Cap the compressor port immediately to prevent contamination.
5
Remove hose mounting brackets
The low-side hose is secured to the body and engine with mounting brackets. Remove the 10mm bolts securing these brackets. Note the routing path and any clips for proper reinstallation. Remove the old hose from the vehicle.
Torque spec
Mounting Bracket Bolts24 Nm (18 lb-ft)
6
Prepare new hose assembly
Unpack the new low-side hose. Remove all protective caps and plugs. Install new O-rings on both ends of the new hose. Lightly coat each O-ring with fresh PAG oil (ND-12 or compatible). Add approximately 30ml of PAG oil into the new hose to replace oil lost during service.
7
Install new O-rings on system ports
Remove caps from the accumulator and compressor ports. Inspect the sealing surfaces for damage or debris. Install new O-rings on both ports and lightly coat with PAG oil. Ensure O-rings are properly seated in their grooves.
8
Route and position new hose
Route the new low-side hose following the exact path of the original hose. Ensure the hose does not contact any sharp edges, hot components, or moving parts. Position mounting brackets and loosely install the bracket bolts finger-tight. Verify the hose can reach both connection points without strain.
9
Connect hose to accumulator
Thread the fitting onto the accumulator by hand to ensure proper alignment. Once hand-tight, use a flare nut wrench and torque wrench to tighten the AC line fitting to specification. Hold the accumulator port with a backup wrench if necessary to prevent twisting.
Torque spec
AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
10
Connect hose to compressor
Thread the fitting onto the compressor by hand to ensure proper alignment and prevent cross-threading. Use a flare nut wrench and torque wrench to tighten the AC line fitting to specification. Use a backup wrench on the compressor port to prevent component damage.
Torque spec
AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
11
Secure mounting brackets
Verify the hose routing is correct with no kinks, twists, or interference. Tighten all mounting bracket bolts to specification. Double-check that the hose has adequate clearance from the serpentine belt, exhaust components, and engine mounts throughout the full range of engine movement.
Torque spec
Mounting Bracket Bolts24 Nm (18 lb-ft)
12
Evacuate AC system
Connect the AC recovery/recharge machine to the service ports. Run a vacuum on the system for a minimum of 30 minutes to remove all air and moisture. After vacuum completes, close valves and monitor vacuum gauge for 10 minutes. If vacuum holds steady, proceed to recharge. If vacuum drops, there is a leak that must be repaired.
⚠Insufficient evacuation time will leave moisture in the system, which can damage the compressor and reduce cooling efficiency.
13
Recharge AC system
Using the AC machine, recharge the system with the amount of R-1234yf recovered earlier (typically 0.6-0.8 lbs total system capacity). Follow machine instructions for proper charging procedure. Do not overcharge the system. Add UV dye if desired for future leak detection.
⚠Overcharging the AC system can cause poor cooling performance and potential compressor damage. Use only the recovered amount or refer to underhood refrigerant capacity label.

Reassembly

Reinstall engine cover, ensuring all clips are properly seated
Verify all tools and materials are removed from engine bay
Close hood and prepare for system verification

Verification

Start engine and turn AC to maximum cold and maximum fan speed
Allow system to run for 5 minutes and verify cold air from vents (should be 40-50°F at vent)
Check both AC line connections and all fittings for signs of refrigerant leaks using leak detector or soap solution
Verify compressor engages and disengages normally when AC is cycled on and off
Inspect low-side hose routing for any interference with moving parts or hot components
Monitor AC performance over next few days and recheck for leaks if cooling diminishes
Verify no unusual noises from compressor or AC system during operation