jackhammer

I need to recharge my air conditioning. It used to work but now only blows hot air ever since I took it to a shop for smog that now wants $$$ to fix it. So I have a few questions:
I think it has already been updated to R134 instead of R12 but how can I tell?
Where is the location of the low pressure side value? I see two valves, one says low but the other is missing the cap and I just want to make sure I'm not hooking up the AC/Pro to the high pressure side.
Can I fill it with the car off or does it have to be running? How long does it take? How do I know when it's full? If there are leaks will they be visible?
I'm pretty good with cars but I've never done AC before.
Thank you for your advise.
87 RS V6

mmadden55

Look at the lines. The one from the compressor to the condenser coil, which is the one in front of the radiator is the high pressure side. The line from the firewall to the compressor is the low side. Generally there is a line from a large silver can to the compressor and that usually has the low pressure nipple on it. That is the one you want. If it has been converted to R134 already you will have the correct size fitting on it. Just buy the big can of refill 134 at the local autozone or advanced or O'Reillys or wherever and it will usually come with a fill hose and instructions.

Just attach the fill hose to the lowpressure fitting attach the can to the hose per instructions, usually hose screws on to top of can, start engine turn ac on, screw valve on top of can in to puncture can and then screw out again to allow refrigerant to flow into system. Compressor may cut on and off, normal just means low pressure in system, if the hose is too large for the fitting may not have been converted yet. In that case ask at the autoparts store they can sell you an inexpensive conversion kit.

kairles

iTrader: (2)

the low pressure fitting is on the Accumulator. R12 fittings screw on, R134a fittings are quick connects.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

First thing ya gotta do, is find the leaks and fix them.

There's a REASON after all, that you're having to recharge the system; if it had refrigerant in it at one time but doesn't now, then it musta went away somehow. The word for the "how" in that is, LEAK.

The low side access valve is in the side of the accumulator/dryer (big aluminum canister).

A proper 134A conversion should have used either an accum/dryer w the correct fitting in it (suh as one for a later car), or an adapter screwed onto the R-12 fitting. Next thing to do, while fixing the leaks preferably, is figure out what has actually been done to your system. If it hasn't been PROPERLY retrofitted, I'd suggest doing so; will require a new compressor, accum/dryer, orifice tube (get the Frod orange one, such as for 69 Crown Vic), all new O-rings, and all the lines and the condenser & evaporator flushed out clean; then the system evacuated and checked for leaks, then recharged with all new oil (about 5 - 6 oz of the 100 or so viscosity, NOT 50, NOT 150, but rather about 75 or 100).

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Umm...96 Crown Vic. Not the "year police", but I remember a post from you before mentioning a 96

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I musta been dyslexic.

Kinda like the dyslexic agnostic insomniac; who laid awake all night, wondering if there really is a dog.

l_dis_travlr

"dyslexic agnostic insomniac" Gotta remember that!