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Chief Mog
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2008
23:33:19
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 Subject: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
00 Dakota v6. I want to check I have enough refrigerant in my a/c system,but not sure of the exact point of valve to connect to. I saw the black one with H on it,I know its not that one,but where is the low side located? I took this pic,is this it? Looks like its right on top of the a/c compressor (?) although I was expecting to see a green valve cap,not a black one
Not sure if the link will work,for some reason this crappy board wont allow links to images,duh.
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/2668/hpim0224uj6.jpg
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fotodak
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2008
00:13:19
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
If you aren't sure what you are doing I would
suggest you allow a professional to do it.
Might cost MUCH less in the long run.
Many places, especially if you have a good
relationship with them will do it free of charge.
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Chief Mog
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2008
15:10:57
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
I did it on my old car,I have the refrigerant with the gauge on it,just wanted to make sure which valve to use.
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DakotaDog
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2008
17:35:16
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
Beware of so-called "A/C professionals" of all kinds - most of them are a bunch of crooks. A/C systems are easy to understand if you spend a little time reading up on them (check the web).
The low pressure valve is located on the back rear of the compressor (you have it circled). The fat pipe that comes out directly in front of that connection is the low pressure side (it goes to the dryer - that big aluminum jar over by the air filter). The other one (thinner pipe) is the high pressure side - it's nozzle is over by the passenger side of the radiator.
A few symptoms that your freon is low:
1) Your compressor cycles on and off continuously about every 15 seconds. Normally when you have the A/C on max, the compressor should run all the time.
2) The fat pipe (low pressure side) coming out of your compressor is not cold when the A/C is running.
3) No cold air coming out of your vents when A/C is on (obviously).
When your freon level is normal, the low pressure side pipe will be cold and will sweat (water condensation) on a humid day. The high pressure side will be very hot. Your A/C compressor will run all of the time (on max setting).
If your compressor is cycling on/off a lot (low freon), try adding freon (A/C turned on max, high with windows open) until the low pressure side pipe feels cold and sweats. You should start feeling cold air coming out of your vents. It would be better to get a gauge set, but not absolutely necessary. Once the pipe is cold and sweating, don't add too much more freon.
Use R-134A refrigerant only. If the refrigerant contains oil, make sure it is the right kind - SP-20 (or PAG-100 will work also) - double check the sticker that should be on the frame near the radiator. That will tell you what's in there.
If you recharge it, and a few days later it's not working, you have a leak somewhere. If you have a leak, come back and post.
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its so easy
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2008
22:02:12
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
the big schrader valve it the high side the little valve is the low side......the low side is how you charge it 30psi is nominal look at the cap h is high l is low
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GB2000
GenIII
6/15/2008
22:05:35
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
Yep, the one you have circled is the right one...what I've been told is the fitting in your recharge kit will only connect to the low side. I've recharged mine a couple times (got a leak) and that's definitely the right one.
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DakotaDog
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2008
08:11:26
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
To find the leak there are several things you can do:
1) look for oil spots on the tubing/joints/condenser (near radiator).
2) Get an ultraviolet (UV) leak detection kit from your local autoparts store.
3) Harbor Freight has an el-cheapo ($70) halogen leak detector/sniffer to find freon leaks (go to harborfreight.com, type in "halogen" in the search tool.
To check the evaporator, you'll need the sniffer - it's behind the dash. You can put the sniffer in the little black drain tube that pokes out of the firewall behind the passenger side exhaust manifold. It's the thing that water drips out of onto your exhaust manifold and sizzles every time you turn your air on.
If the evaporator has a leak, you'll need to remove the dash to get at it, so you'll need to decide whether to pay someone else to do it ($2K) or do it yourself. I did mine myself. You will definitely need the Factory Service Manual for that job - it has step-by-step instructions and you need to spend a week or two reading up on every aspect of it and collecting the right tools before you try it. If you have that problem and decide to do it yourself, come back and post, I have advice for you that will save you a lot of time. It is at least a 12 hour job.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2008
08:14:10
| RE: Help with A/C Recharge Valve
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Message:
"the big schrader valve" He said he has an '00 - so it's an R134a system and does not have a Schrader valve - those were only used on R-12 systems. He has quick-connect fittings.
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