Replacing AC Fill Valve
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Replacing AC Fill Valve
Not sure that is the proper term, but I recently noticed my AC was not cooling for the first time in 14 years (at least not so much on the driver
s side), so I took the car to a shop and they said the refrigerant was low (20-lbs). They added a can of refrigerant and everything was back to normal, but they said the inlet valve (where they connected the AC recharge line) was leaking when they removed their equipment. It made it a couple weeks and now I am back to cool air vs cold.
What is involved in changing out the valve? Does that whole metal insulated line have to be replaced?
s side), so I took the car to a shop and they said the refrigerant was low (20-lbs). They added a can of refrigerant and everything was back to normal, but they said the inlet valve (where they connected the AC recharge line) was leaking when they removed their equipment. It made it a couple weeks and now I am back to cool air vs cold.
What is involved in changing out the valve? Does that whole metal insulated line have to be replaced?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 256
Likes: 3
From: West Texas
If it's just the valve all you have to do is have the A/C evacuated and then using a valve stem removal tool just unscrew the valve and replace it. They have a small rubber seal on them that will wear out over time. You can pick both items up at a parts store. I believe the tool is a slightly different size than a valve stem removal for a tire though. Then just recharge your A/C
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
If it's just the valve all you have to do is have the A/C evacuated and then using a valve stem removal tool just unscrew the valve and replace it. They have a small rubber seal on them that will wear out over time. You can pick both items up at a parts store. I believe the tool is a slightly different size than a valve stem removal for a tire though. Then just recharge your A/C
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
When it's charged, put some water on the top of the valve and see if it bubbles indicating a leak.
The various O-rings go out on these things. Shoot a can of dye in there, recharge (so the compressor engages) and run the system. Use a UV light and the glasses and look around all the connection points.
If you have access to a sniffer run the AC and see if you can use that to determine the leak. (That's the best way, but you have to know someone with a shop that has it).
If you open the lines, minimum replace the applicable o-rings, dryer, and orifice tube. Pay attention to the oil in the dryer, because you will need to replace the same amount of oil in the new dryer.
The various O-rings go out on these things. Shoot a can of dye in there, recharge (so the compressor engages) and run the system. Use a UV light and the glasses and look around all the connection points.
If you have access to a sniffer run the AC and see if you can use that to determine the leak. (That's the best way, but you have to know someone with a shop that has it).
If you open the lines, minimum replace the applicable o-rings, dryer, and orifice tube. Pay attention to the oil in the dryer, because you will need to replace the same amount of oil in the new dryer.
