Chasing a leak in the system & attempted to put the remnants of a can of 134 in. I can't get the coupler on my hose to grasp the charge port. All the bearings are in there & move freely as does the sleeve. Please tell me this is not some Ford specific BS...

 

Are you sure it's using 134? '94 was right at that cut-off point between R-12 and 134. I don't know when Ford changed over, but check and make sure.

 

Air-chuck style nipple, not schrader/tire style.

 

Well, while we're waiting for a possible answer to come around (129 veiws, 1 response.) on the 'gitar...

Last week the AC started to get weaker, so I popped the hood this AM & started to look for the low & hi pressure caps. I looked down at the condenser to compressor line which also has the hi pressure cap, & noticed it was oily. Can't really tell if the crimp on the rubber to hard line is leaking or its the valve. Cleaned all with some brake cleaner with the intention of giving the system a charge & seeing which gets oily first.

Checked with my Mom & Pop auto supply about possibly re crimping the hose & they say they can, but it'll take a day or so to get the crimp sleeve. Total replacement of the suction/discharge hose assy. locally is $92

Went on Rockauto.com to check & found Motorcraft unit $141 , and 4 Seasons unit $71. (None that look anything like mine) However, they also have valve rebuildt kits for $7-15.

So, anybody able to point me toward a good tutorial on what it takes to rebuild the valves on AC lines?

 

Have you used that coupler on anything else? I replaced the couplers on my Robinair set and went thru 6 low side couplers before I got one that worked! 2 wouldn't go on and 3 leaked like crazy. Cheap foreign made crap!

 

I remember that on the old R12 lines you would get replacement schrader valves. They were like the ones used on tires, except the rubber o-ring was a lot wider.

I don't think the newer R134a valves on rebuild-able.

On my 1996 4.9L, the high pressure valve appears to screw into the ac line itself. It's rusty and I'll probably snap the line if I try to remove it, but you can replace just the valve. The part number for it is Factory Air (aka 4 Seasons) 59946. I got mine for cheap at Advance Auto Parts.

My high side pressure valve bubbles when you remove the service cap. The valve is obviously bad. It leaks. But my AC system holds pressure for the summer, so I just top it off each May. I might try to replace the service cap with a new one. The inside of the service caps have a really thick o-ring.

This thread on FSB might help you?
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=190082

Hope this helps...

 

No need for a tutorial, just remove the old valve core, install a new valve core. 134a fittings still use a schrader style valve core, there's a couple sizes. If you're using conversion fittings you may or may not be able to swap the core and might have to swap the whole thing. Also the caps are important to sealing the system, may be worth replacing them if you're leaking.

 

Yes I have on a pair of GMs. Which is what made me think it was something off with my Ford. And yes, it is a cheap import piece.

 

Bingo. Lots of info there. I've got to do some drilling down there. Thanks.

Looks like the high press port (the one that appears to be leaking) might unscrew from the line, per post #s 7 &13.

I'll explore replacing the low press port entirely since my Schrader tool does not appear to be big enough to get the needle valve out. But that doesn't seem to be the issue with the charge hose coupler not locking on.

Will give everything a look today & let y'all know how things shake out.

Thanks for all responses.

 

Upon further review...

I appear to have "ball" style connectors on both sides. My coupler, from what I've been able to check on limited # of vehicles in the neighborhood will grasp only 134 nipples with Schrader style internal valves.

Looked at a '08 Lincoln, Schrader style. Looked at 98 Astro, Schrader,. Looked at '01 Buick I last had coupler on... sheesh. Some kind of fat, rounded needle style valve with with plastic disc at base. But it connected & sealed.

My high press valve is obviously leaking since instead of nice round black ball sitting down in the nipple, mine looks like a comma.

May have to go make nice with Dealer parts counter.

 

See my previous post.

High side ball valve is Factory Air (aka 4Seasons) 59946. $3.89 at Advance Auto Parts.

Don't forget that you'll need the special R134a valve socket. Its a weird octagon socket.

Octagon socket fits over the valve. Normal box wrench fits over the valve "socket" on the AC line so you don't snap the line.

 

Rest of story:

Picked up port locally, with tax, $5. Unable to locate socket. Blew my emergency cash. Local shop, vac, install port (no charge), recharge system, 32oz. $154.03.

Its cold again.

(Oh yes, went out & tried to hook up to low press port this AM just for giggles, that sum bitch coupler locked right on... )

 

I just wanted to follow up that the high side ball valve is Ford part number F3AZ19E762A (aka Factory Air (aka 4Seasons) 59946)

 

Sounds good, thanks for info.