AC recharge valve replacement
03-14-2017, 08:12 PM
#2
Sorry to be blunt, but if you have to ask this question, then you need to take it to a pro.
You will need to buy a bunch of specialized tools and obtain knowledge to use them like vacuum gauges, a powerful vacuum pump, etc. that are not worth buying unless you intend to fix more HVAC systems in the future. In other words, this is not a simple DIY.
Depending on how badly it is leaking and if you give not a poop about the environment then you may be able to get away with recharging it for a while until the refrigerant to oil ratio gets out of whack enough that your compressor burns up.
You will need to buy a bunch of specialized tools and obtain knowledge to use them like vacuum gauges, a powerful vacuum pump, etc. that are not worth buying unless you intend to fix more HVAC systems in the future. In other words, this is not a simple DIY.
Depending on how badly it is leaking and if you give not a poop about the environment then you may be able to get away with recharging it for a while until the refrigerant to oil ratio gets out of whack enough that your compressor burns up.
03-15-2017, 07:57 AM
#3
Rymo,
Frankly, if you figured out one of your R134a schrader valves is leaking that's pretty savvy for a DIY'r.
Its not common to find a rather new vehicle with a leaky valve, but
things happen.
If the valve is simply loose you can try snugging it up (RH thread, CW, don't over tighten) with a tool like below (similar to a common tire valve or bicycle valve tool, however R134a valves then to be deeper in their bore). If snugging up the valve does not resolve the leak you will need to have the vehicle serviced (removal of refrigerant, insert new valve core, evacuate, charge and test).
Not sure how much refrigerant you may have lost. You could try to have the system 'topped off' (adding refrigerant), but if the system has lost a lot of refrigerant you will need to have it evacuated, charged and tested.
Running systems that are low on refrigerant is not good for the compressor.
The compressor needs a constant flow of refrigerant oil moving through when it is 'on' to keep things lubricated; it is the refrigerant that carries the oil. Although you may have a low pressure cut off switch you can't rely on them all the time.
Griffiths Tech
Frankly, if you figured out one of your R134a schrader valves is leaking that's pretty savvy for a DIY'r.
Its not common to find a rather new vehicle with a leaky valve, but
things happen.
If the valve is simply loose you can try snugging it up (RH thread, CW, don't over tighten) with a tool like below (similar to a common tire valve or bicycle valve tool, however R134a valves then to be deeper in their bore). If snugging up the valve does not resolve the leak you will need to have the vehicle serviced (removal of refrigerant, insert new valve core, evacuate, charge and test).
Not sure how much refrigerant you may have lost. You could try to have the system 'topped off' (adding refrigerant), but if the system has lost a lot of refrigerant you will need to have it evacuated, charged and tested.
Running systems that are low on refrigerant is not good for the compressor.
The compressor needs a constant flow of refrigerant oil moving through when it is 'on' to keep things lubricated; it is the refrigerant that carries the oil. Although you may have a low pressure cut off switch you can't rely on them all the time.
Griffiths Tech
04-25-2017, 11:13 PM
#4
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Rymo,
Frankly, if you figured out one of your R134a schrader valves is leaking that's pretty savvy for a DIY'r.
Its not common to find a rather new vehicle with a leaky valve, but
things happen.
If the valve is simply loose you can try snugging it up (RH thread, CW, don't over tighten) with a tool like below (similar to a common tire valve or bicycle valve tool, however R134a valves then to be deeper in their bore). If snugging up the valve does not resolve the leak you will need to have the vehicle serviced (removal of refrigerant, insert new valve core, evacuate, charge and test).
Not sure how much refrigerant you may have lost. You could try to have the system 'topped off' (adding refrigerant), but if the system has lost a lot of refrigerant you will need to have it evacuated, charged and tested.
Running systems that are low on refrigerant is not good for the compressor.
The compressor needs a constant flow of refrigerant oil moving through when it is 'on' to keep things lubricated; it is the refrigerant that carries the oil. Although you may have a low pressure cut off switch you can't rely on them all the time.
Griffiths Tech
Frankly, if you figured out one of your R134a schrader valves is leaking that's pretty savvy for a DIY'r.
Its not common to find a rather new vehicle with a leaky valve, but
things happen.
If the valve is simply loose you can try snugging it up (RH thread, CW, don't over tighten) with a tool like below (similar to a common tire valve or bicycle valve tool, however R134a valves then to be deeper in their bore). If snugging up the valve does not resolve the leak you will need to have the vehicle serviced (removal of refrigerant, insert new valve core, evacuate, charge and test).
Not sure how much refrigerant you may have lost. You could try to have the system 'topped off' (adding refrigerant), but if the system has lost a lot of refrigerant you will need to have it evacuated, charged and tested.
Running systems that are low on refrigerant is not good for the compressor.
The compressor needs a constant flow of refrigerant oil moving through when it is 'on' to keep things lubricated; it is the refrigerant that carries the oil. Although you may have a low pressure cut off switch you can't rely on them all the time.
Griffiths Tech
04-26-2017, 08:09 AM
#5
Static pressures can be anywhere from 70 to 100psi+. Operating pressures,
low 20-40 and high 160-300+ psi. Sooner or later a 'cap' over the service port will leak.