costly job i'm afraid as you will need a new pipe and the system recharging with gas at around 2500psi

regards

peter

I would buy the drill and sweat the few days of the year the sun comes out

If the pipe is alloy you could use "Lumiweld" it's quite a bit like soldering.

I have in recent times used it to repair the sump threads in alloy motor cycle sump pans, motor cycle clutch levers many things even the living room alloy door stop.

Bought mine a few years ago so there are probably more modern products around now but I know this works.

The pressure in auto AC systems is nowhere near 2500 psi as stated above. Typically it is around 200-300 psi on the pressure side and 30 -40 psi on the suction side of the compressor.

I would not recommend soldering or welding a cracked line yourself, unless the refrigerant has been completely lost or the system evacuated by a refrigeration pro. Even if you do get a good weld, the line will have ash and debris in it afterward that if not cleaned out will destroy the compressor when the system is re-started. If the refrigerant has been lost for a while the line and possibly the whole system will have dirt contamination which should be purged by a refigeration pro before refilling and restarting the system. The weld may have a slow leak which can only be detected with a pressure test, and a weld may corrode fater than the parent tubing due to lost coatings at the weld.

After any repair to auto AC the system must be purged, refilled and the whole system pressure tested, and the pros have specialist equipment for that. It ensures all components of the system including the compressor and seals are leak tight. Not sure about UK, but in North America there are affordable small low-profile shops in smaller towns that will do these repairs at reasonable cost. (there are also many big city large AC shops that advertise widely but overcharge for services and do bad work or bill when no work was done) Often parts from an auto wrecker can be used to replace damaged lines rather than welding or soldering with their attendant risk of contamination and future leaks.

Just my $0.02, your mileage may vary.

JD