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Leaky high pressure fitting

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Old Nov 14, 2007 | 10:48 PM
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Leaky high pressure fitting

I've got a '94 ranger and the AC has stopped working. The compressor kicks on for 1-2 seconds and then turns off. I checked the charge and it was low so I tried to add some freon but as I was adding it I could hear it squeaking out of the high pressure fitting.

I confirmed that the high pressure fitting was leaking by removing the cap and putting my thumb over it, creating a seal. Enough pressure would build up behind it so that I eventually couldn't hold it back.

I tried depressing the button in the valve core to see if it would pop back up and seal better but it would not.

Is there a way to replace the valve core like on a shrader tire valve? Or, am I stuck spending the $130 on a replacement hose assembly for that side?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2007 | 10:59 PM
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Looks like this might be what I need:
http://www.acsource.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=535

I figure I could get it evacuated at a shop, swap out the valve and then recharge it. Any trick to swapping out one of those or is it just like swapping a sparkplug?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 12:32 AM
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You can buy shrader valves for A/Cs. I think I saw them on Autozone or partsamerica website.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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The valve core is replacable but you will have to have the system evacuated first. Keep in mind that the plastic cap is actually the primary seal for the service ports on MVAC systems. The high side schrader valve will always leak a bit. The replacement caps from AutoZone and others are crap. An OEM style cap is needed to prevent leaks.
Why don't you have the shop replace the valve? You'll have to have them evacuate the system before recharging anyway, unless you have a vacuum pump.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 09:29 PM
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I got the valve at Pep Boys and replaced it.

When I was trying to recharge it the compressor wasn't cycling though. I didn't fool with it much but it seemed that the system pressure equalized with the low side but the compressor still didn't start running.

Any ideas on why the compressor wouldn't run? Everything on the controls was in the correct, on position.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by JefFZ6
I got the valve at Pep Boys and replaced it.

When I was trying to recharge it the compressor wasn't cycling though. I didn't fool with it much but it seemed that the system pressure equalized with the low side but the compressor still didn't start running.

Any ideas on why the compressor wouldn't run? Everything on the controls was in the correct, on position.
Sounds like you vented the charge and replaced the valve. That means the system is empty. You do know that you need to pull the system into a vacuum before recharging, right?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by lsrx101
Sounds like you vented the charge and replaced the valve. That means the system is empty. You do know that you need to pull the system into a vacuum before recharging, right?
No, I did not. I talked to our mechanic at work and he didn't mention anything about that.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
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Old Nov 15, 2007 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by JefFZ6
No, I did not. I talked to our mechanic at work and he didn't mention anything about that.

Thanks,
Jeff
Yep. You need to pull the system down to 28-29" of vacuum for a while to remove any air or moisture that got pulled in while it was open. He should have mentioned that, it's really important. While you "could" charge it without the vacuum, there will be air in the system that will cause the high side pressure to elevate and potentially damage the compressor. Even if the compressor isn't damaged, air is non condensable so it will reduce the cooling. Also, any moisture (humudity) that was drawn in can form acids in the system.
Did you lose any oil when you vented the refrigerant? If so, you need to add that back before charging as well.
Take a look at this article on how to evacuate and charge the system. There's more to it than just adding refrigerant:
http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...&threadid=7931
 
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 07:57 AM
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FWIW, the compressor won't cycle because there isn't sufficient pressure in the system yet.

Steve
 
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 10:58 AM
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Please let the professionals do this kind of work.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 11:05 AM
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A co-worker's husband has a shop near our office. He's going to evac and recharge it for $40.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by hhott71
Please let the professionals do this kind of work.
Ha! I would have if I had been given an acurate picture of what was involved when I talked to a "professional".

Thanks,
Jeff
 
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by hhott71
Please let the professionals do this kind of work.
I wouldn't go quite that far hhott71.
For some that advice would be sound, but for many folks who inhabit this forum some education would be in order before proceeding. Working blindly with AC systems can cause damage to the system or personal injury, but it's not rocket science. The same can be said of many other systems on a motor vehicle.
 
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