greetings,
1988 vette coup, r-12 refrigerant......ok, never ran into this before. i have the tool to remove and replace the shrader valve core stem w/o blowing the charge and have used it many a time. however, on the liquid side shrader valve it appears to be a "different" type valve stem/core other then it being smaller the the vapor/suction side. the standard tools to remove the valve stem aren't long enough to grab the "wings" of the valve core to unscrew.

...i did get the core out after recovering the charge with my recovery/recycle machine by using a "modified" pair of tweezers but, i detest having to have done it that way.

..examination of the valve stem finds it looking ok (but that doesn't mean squat) and it was removed thinking that their may have been some debris in the core.....not the case, the valve seal is on it's way out. i must say that the core looked very dissimilar to the typical vapor core stem.

...the typical "t-shaped extraction tool" will NOT work to remove the liquid line core, neither will any tool i currently have as the center of the tool is not deep enough to allow fitment over the valve "depressor" to reach in far enough to grab the "wings". (you a/c guys may know what i am talking about).

...i reinstalled the core as i didn't have an exact replacement and replaced the refrigerant/oil/etc .there is still a very minor leak but a leak none the less. it does not get past the valve cap as my leak detector equip states so, i am not worried for the mean time.

..is there an individual tool necessary to remove the shrader valve core on the h.p. liquid side?....is there a special valve core to ask for at advance/pep boys, auto zone, etc?....is there a special "valve core replacement tool" (looks like a "t" and allows to core to be changed w/out losing charge) or similar made for this?.....ugh!...thanks!

 

Hi I Just did this high side fitting on my 1989. The type of shrader is called Large bore gm. The kit I used included all the necessary stems and is of the type with the shut off valve. snap on act1297. I would think you could go to your ac shop and maybe get a new stem for your tool for the large bore gm shrader. The shrader was in stock and available at oreilys auto parts. They had a book they looked it up in. Just bring it down to match it up. Good luck

 

....thanks for the reply..i have accumulated a lot of info in the past couple of hours. i called a dealer and they wanted $9.00 just for the shrader valve!!..they have brain damage!...i called another place and they wanted $23.00 for one (1) valve, yes, THE VALVE!...(core)..

....so, i dug into my contacts and will pick up ten (10) high pressure valve core shradervalves tomorrow morning, all for $3.75!..

.....now, here comes the other part that i will inquire in the morning; a removal tool...i need (apparently) to buy another tool (or at least take another long look at what i already have) that will enable me to remove the valve w/out blowing the charge.....

...what you state appears not feasible because i would need to screw on the tool to the liquid line which is smaller then the suction line valve so, that leaves me "tool-less" .......the tool that i will need to remove the valve has to be very deep to reach the "wings" (aforementioned) to unscrew the valve.....also, it is not a "large bore" opening, it is the liquid line and is also an R-12 system....hopefully, i can get this all resolved by noon tomorrow, or at least the tool aspect of it!

***edit...i just took a look at the tool kit from snap-on, nice kit but damn expensive!...i will see what other options i have but, it doesn't look like many!

 

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...what you state appears not feasible because i would need to screw on the tool to the liquid line which is smaller then the suction line valve so, that leaves me "tool-less" .......the tool that i will need to remove the valve has to be very deep to reach the "wings" (aforementioned) to unscrew the valve.....also, it is not a "large bore" opening, it is the liquid line and is also an R-12 system....hopefully, i can get this all resolved by noon tomorrow, or at least the tool aspect of it![/QUOTE]

Snap on kit calls the shrader a large bore gm shrader. The shrader valve is fat at the bottom even though the shrader size to thread is the same or close to the low side. my kit includes a stem that at first appears similar to the low side shrader but on comparison it is wider in the slot and has a large drill hole in the center. My kit works like this. The valve body is seperate. I screw the end adaptor on to match the type of port of the system in question on to the valve body of the tool. This is then screwed onto the service fitting on the ac. The stem is then placed in the valve body and screwed down. I then extract the valve core without loss of charge. My system is r12 also so its the same as yours. The place that sold you the original tool should have one for this. If not order the snap on act1297 as it will cover you for all vehicles 134,12 (all fitting styles) and extract all the types of scraders. There are five different types standard,large bore gm, Jra M6, Eaton M8, Eaton M10. You will find it im sure. JP
Ps. yes that kits a bit expensive

 

Snap on kit calls the shrader a large bore gm shrader. The shrader valve is fat at the bottom even though the shrader size to thread is the same or close to the low side. my kit includes a stem that at first appears similar to the low side shrader but on comparison it is wider in the slot and has a large drill hole in the center. My kit works like this. The valve body is seperate. I screw the end adaptor on to match the type of port of the system in question on to the valve body of the tool. This is then screwed onto the service fitting on the ac. The stem is then placed in the valve body and screwed down. I then extract the valve core without loss of charge. My system is r12 also so its the same as yours. The place that sold you the original tool should have one for this. If not order the snap on act1297 as it will cover you for all vehicles 134,12 (all fitting styles) and extract all the types of scraders. There are five different types standard,large bore gm, Jra M6, Eaton M8, Eaton M10. You will find it im sure. JP
Ps. yes that kits a bit expensive[/QUOTE]

...thanks again for the reply..i did find an identical kit for a few bucks less (i'll pm you)..let me be sure i understand. Re:the smaller high side liquid side - the kit included the fitting to be screwed onto the valve, and even with the small access, you were able to insert the extraction rod into the opening and grab the high side shrader and remove it?...ya mean the extraction shaft "slit" fit over the valve itself and went deep enough to grab the valve core?...no charge lost?

edit;..the tool i have is not modifiable for the application i want to use it for so, i get to buy a new tool!

 

...thanks again for the reply..i did find an identical kit for a few bucks less (i'll pm you)..let me be sure i understand. Re:the smaller high side liquid side - the kit included the fitting to be screwed onto the valve, and even with the small access, you were able to insert the extraction rod into the opening and grab the high side shrader and remove it?...ya mean the extraction shaft "slit" fit over the valve itself and went deep enough to grab the valve core?...no charge lost?

edit;..the tool i have is not modifiable for the application i want to use it for so, i get to buy a new tool![/QUOTE]

ya got it! I screwed the high side fitting of tool onto the liquid line and the extractor went down and got it out with no loss of charge. You have to unbolt the accumulator bracket and rest the accumulator assy on the upper radiator shroud to give you room to work as its a bit long.

 

ya got it! I screwed the high side fitting of tool onto the liquid line and the extractor went down and got it out with no loss of charge. You have to unbolt the accumulator bracket and rest the accumulator assy on the upper radiator shroud to give you room to work as its a bit long.[/QUOTE]

.....not sure as to how much "play" i have to move the accumulator...will check in morning when it stops raining....tnx!