Firestone blew my A/C line

[chino9656]

This actually happened last year, but I haven't got around to fixing it yet...
I took my car to Firestone to have the A/C recharged.
They did a pressure check on the system to make sure everything was okay with the lines, and then they got to work.
When they finished, I paid and they pulled my car around. I got in and there was no A/C. I'm talking hot hot air, and I hadn't even left the parking lot yet!
Long story short, they said there was nothing they could do, short of charging me over $400 to have a new line put in.

They said it was the charge hose, the one on the drivers side. "It must have had a small, undetectable hole in it that got worse once they fully pressurized the system," they said.
Anyway, I'm dying in the heat, and I miss the cold. I have about a month left on the recharge warranty, and want to fix it. I guess my questions are:
1. is there anywhere cheaper to get the line besides the stealer? (over $200). Anything wrong with getting a used line?
2. Is it fairly easy to replace, given a person has the a/c disconnect tool?

Thanks for your help,
Zach

 

[jstoned1]

you could try and find one at a junkyard, a used line will work fine, just check it out before you pull it. you could also call around and find a shop that can fab a line for you

 

[IHeartMyHonda]

Based on my experience with Firestone, I know that if you keep complaining, you will get it for free. If the store manager wont take care of it, go to the district manager, then to the zone manager. It really should not escalate further than the district manager, to be honest. They are all about keeping a good name, and if taking a $400 hit for some AC work is what it takes, they will do it. If you cannot get it sorted out like that, PM me and we will get it figured out. I've been a lead tech for Firestone for several years, so I can guide you in the right direction.

 

[97gst_spyder]

All you need are the lines from a match year (95-96,97-99), get the new seal kit ($5), and install the new lines and seals. It takes an hour or so.

I'd get a new dryer also, $10 from Napa.