I have a small can of R-12 and hook-up hose. Where do I attach the hose on my '89 F-150 w/ 5.8L V8? I had an A/C guy stop by my house and look at the truck. He thought it just needed a re-charge. I think I remember him saying the low-pressure service port where I attach the hose from the freon can is on the right side of the engine (high-pressure being on the left) Correct? Also, the plastic cap on the port on the right has split and fallen off. Is it important to have a cap there to prevent leakage? Or is it just to keep out debris? Where can I find a replacement? It's bigger than a tire valve stem cap. Can I just wrap black electrical tape around it for now?

thanks
Jim

 

The low side port should be on the passenger's side of the engine, sticking out of the large cannister-looking thing (at least it is on my '92). For best results, you should be using a manifold gauge to add refrigerant to your system; however, if you don't, make sure you add small amounts at a time and let the unit pull down, checking the performance of your system (ie: vent temp). As for the service cap, it's for both keeping debris out and preventing leaks through the schrader valve, but as long as it is not leaking out at the moment, it should be fine (off cycle pressures can be around the 100psi+ range; wrapping electrical tape around it will have NO effect). You can check to see if it is leaking by applying some soap & water solution to the schrader valve and see if it bubbles (PLEASE make sure you either do this after adding your refrigerant or completely dry the water off the valve; trust me, you don't want water inside your system!). Then later on you can scrounge around the bone yards to scarf a cap (just make sure it's from a R-12 system; the newer 134a units have different sized service ports).

Hope this helped a bit...

 

Thanks for the info! Do you know of any sites that have DIY info for servicing (adding freon & checking pressure) the AC?

thanks!
Jim

 

http://www.ackits.com/forum/index.cfm
http://www.aircondition.com/ straight to the board link

tom