[Update] My AC problem

[Greensilver_SHO]

After checking the entire AC system over for leaks (there was dyed freeon put in the car last) and I didn't seen any of the green.

So I'm 100% sure it's my High Pressure Service Valve... I took the valve off and noticed the rubber seal was coming out. I was able to hit the schrader vavle to my hand, and the seal fell out.

I ordered a new schrader vavle through Ford, but it's too small. I think it's for a retro-fitted system. My system does have the R-134a, but this valve appears to be stock. Does anyone have a specific part number for the valve?... and ideas on where to get it?... I tried Autozone and Checker and came up empty handed.

Or does anyone have one they can sell. Right now, I'm just looking for the fastest repair right now because I'm getting ready for a road trip in about 2 weeks.

Thanks guys!

 

[jsho]

If it's the part i think, Napa # is GA 707404 for a grand total of $20.99.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

That's not it...

I took a picture of it... it has a black arrow pointing to it.

Yes, I know my engine needs to be cleaned. And sorry for the quaility of the pic... it's the best I can do in the garage with that camera.

 

[Rob94]

What year is your car? The valve that the arrow is pointing to looks to be a retrofit valve, used to convert an R12 system to an R134a. If I am correct, you should be able to get a replacement at any auto parts store. It just screws onto the R12 valve.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

The car is a 1993.

I have the retro fit kits and nothing seems to work on it. I've tried using the supplied valves... and they don't work.

I think it's stock. Especially with how correded it looks.

Thanks

 

[Rob94]

Well, after some searching, I found a thread where you said that you had the AC converted to R134a....so it is definitely NOT a stock valve. The valve on there now should turn right off, and a replacement should thread right on. Go to Walmart or your local parts store and buy yourself the retrofit package. It'll come with the valves you need, and several cans of refrigerant.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

I got the retro fit kit... none of the valves worked on my car. They were all either too big or too small. I think what I might just do is bring the car to Checkers, Autozone, or NAPA... pull the part right off my car while I'm there. Walk in and try to match up to it. If that fails, I'm calling my mechanic.

However, if anyone has any other ideas, holler.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

I think I'm going to get a Valve Core repair kit and try and fix what I've already have. I'll still bring the part into auto stores, but if I come up short, I'll get the repair kit.

I wonder how hard it'd be to replace the valve core anyway.

 

[SHOtimer]

Rob is right, that is NOT a stock valve. You can see the hex corners on that valve where you can turn it off of the original stock valve. Take it off and get a replacement, don't try to repair it.

That part will be in any retrofit kit, it is the adapter to the high pressure port.

Doug

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

Ok... like I've said before... I've tried 3 retrofit kits now, not one of them has a valve that fits.

NOT ONE! I'm sorry...

It's not an adapter, it's the actual valve. It's all one piece. All that is brass is one piece. The actual line with the male end is either too big, or too small for all the valves I got in the retrofit kits.

If anything, I'll go back to my mechanic. He did the system in September of 2003. It shouldn't be failing now.

 

[SHOtimer]

Ok... like I've said before... I've tried 3 retrofit kits now, not one of them has a valve that fits.

NOT ONE! I'm sorry...

It's not an adapter, it's the actual valve. It's all one piece. All that is brass is one piece. The actual line with the male end is either too big, or too small for all the valves I got in the retrofit kits.

If anything, I'll go back to my mechanic. He did the system in September of 2003. It shouldn't be failing now.

So, when you say that you haven't had a valve that fits you mean that you have unscrewed that adapter and tried to screw on a new adapter in its place? If not that is what you need to do.

If that adapter was one piece with the hard lines then it would not have a hex portion of it made for screwing it on and screwing it off.

Regardless, I agree with your last point. He may not warranty the work, but take it back to the guy who put it all together.

I just reread the post and had a few points to add. First '93 came with R12, and you have already stated that you had a retrofit done. R12 and R134a have totally different fittings. So, in order for your car to have R134a that must be an adapter, because that hard line is not replaced in a retrofit.

I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, and I hope you don't think that.

Doug

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

Yeah... I took the whole brass piece off and it was just left with the line with threading on it. The after I took the brass piece off, it's all one piece from there.

I then tried using an adapter, but they don't work. They are either too big or too small. On my nightstand (this has really been bothering me) I have 6 actual schrader valves and 4 adapters. I can get the schrader valve onto the adapter, but I can't get the adapter onto the line on the car. I've been piecing them together... pulling them apart. I've tried them all.

Sorry if I seem to be getting upset. It's hot out and I don't have AC in my car

 

[SHOtimer]

Haha, I understand, I was stuck in Pheonix once (110 degrees) once, when my AC clutch decided not to work anymore.

Well, I think at this point the best idea would be to take it back to the guy who did the job in the first place.

Doug

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

I can get pictures and you can kind of see what I'm seeing...

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

Ok this is he valve, it's one piece

And this is the line, nothing on that comes off

Sorry for the quality, they were taken on my cell phone

 

[SHO#7]

First off, lets back this bus up. The first picture looks to be the high side. Not the low side, you do not charge there. The low side is under our cover where the ABS and ECM connectors are to scan your car.

And secondly, here is what I am thinking. The old style R-134 conversion kits would screw right over your low side and high side port. You did not have to take out your old schrader valve. The NEW ones make you remove the scrader valve in the actual line ( the old one ) because the new one has its own valve in it. And will NOT screw on the old one with the valve in. The picture that you took first is a low side fitting ( which you charge into ) But I swear it looks as if it is on the higt side line.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

It is the high side line...

I've charged my AC before. So I know where it needs to be charged.

And if my current schrader valves looks like a low side fitting, that's going to make things difficult. I should take a picture of my low side... maybe you guys can figure this out. That would explain why my dad was having problems charging it the first time. He said it "it's almost like this stuff isn't taking the refreidgerent" this is when we knew it was low and needed to be recharged.

I'm going to take a picture of the low side.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

Here is my low side with the valve on it...

Here is what detaches for the line

Here is the line without the valve

I still think, since my mechanic is slow... the best thing to do is to do a core swap. My dad has done them before sucessfully.

 

[SHO#7]

What do you mean by core swap? Take the valve out of the line. Install a new 134 Retro Valve. Charge, and be cool. Take the 134 Retro fitting off your high side. You do not need it. If the valve leaks at your high side, replace the inner valve.

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

What do you mean by core swap? Take the valve out of the line. Install a new 134 Retro Valve. Charge, and be cool. Take the 134 Retro fitting off your high side. You do not need it. If the valve leaks at your high side, replace the inner valve.

Wait, so there is a valve in the line too? I didn't think that was so when my dad first took off the valve off my high side line... it shot refidgerent oil all over engine bay. It wasn't a fun mess to try and clean up.

Yeah installing a new 134 Retro Valve was a no go on all accounts I've had so far. :banghd: