low pressure AC valve

[carnut230]

looking for the low pressure AC valve and help adding coolant with lubricant- mine is ticking when the AC compressor is running

[jonota]

Let me consult my manual CD again. I asked the dealership about this as well, and was told that the ticking sound was normal.....

Jonota

[carnut230]

alldata seems to indicate low pressure valve is on right side after removing wheel well pieces- looked didn't see- any help would be greatly appreciated :confused:

[Lamar]

My manual shows the low pressure charge port is on top of the compressor. The high pressure port is on top of the receiver dryer on the passenger side of engine compartment next to the condenser. This is for the 2002 model.

[V8guy]

The low side (charging) port is on the accumulator/dryer. If your manual shows otherwise, it is wrong.

[Lamar]

V-8guy I do not wish to argue with you, but my manual clearly shows the low pressure port is on the compressor. Like you, I have often seen the low pressure port on the accumulator/dryer on the low side but that is not the way on the 2002 LS. It says the receiver/dryer is on the high pressure side which makes sense since it is mounted next to the condenser and not on the firewall next to the evaporator.

This was copied and pasted from my Ford Manual on CD which confirms what their diagram showed:
"The manifold and tube assembly that mounts to the top of the receiver drier contains the high pressure service port for the refrigerant system."

I just do not want carnut230 to hook up a can of R134A to the high pressure side and it rupture in his face. Carnut230 If you have a pressure gage hook it up to confirm this. You can get a cheap one at Autozone or Advance.

[V8guy]

Hi Lamar....Sorry. I should have said the Accumulator/dryer is on the suction line on the car A/C systems I am familiar with, so I would expect the charging port to be on it.... Like you, I don't want anyone to get hurt either.... However, I have found a mistake in a service manual before.

[ekooke]

The low & high side ports are "idiot proof", in that the charging hose coupling will only fit on the low pressure port connection. Every R134 setup I've seen since the early '90s has the low pressure (charging) port at the receiver/dryer.

[Lamar]

Hi V8guy, you are right the accumulator/dryer is on the low pressure side for cars with orifice tube, which I bet your TC has also. The LS has a receiver/dryer because it has an expansion valve instead of an orifice tube. My 960 Volvo also had the low pressure port on the compressor because it also had an expansion valve.

ekooke gave good advice in that he knew the ports are different sizes, which I did not remember until I checked it out after I posted the previous message. I am glad we are all on the same page. Have a good week!

[carnut230]

thanks guys- it is infact on the drivers side of the engine on top of the condenser(?) but angled out toward the wheel well

[Lamar]

If it is on the driver's side and close to the wheel well you must mean on top of the compressor, which is driven by the serpentine belt. Right??

[carnut230]

that is correct

[MarkVa1]

read this thread and it helped explain things a little more on my 2001 LS. Tried to hook up the 134a can to the valve on teh accumulator and it wouldn't fit. I suppose that's to protect people like me? So where exactly is the correct valve to hook up to recharge/test the system?

thanks,

Mark.

[ekooke]

quote:Originally posted by MarkVa1:
read this thread and it helped explain things a little more on my 2001 LS. Tried to hook up the 134a can to the valve on teh accumulator and it wouldn't fit. I suppose that's to protect people like me? So where exactly is the correct valve to hook up to recharge/test the system?

thanks,

Mark.

You were at the right place. Attach the threaded end of the filler hose to the can adapter, then attach the QUICK-CONNECT end of the filler hose to the LPS port by; pulling back on the outer part of the hose coupling and then pushing the coupling end over the port - remove port cap first - nipple, and then, while holding the coupling to the nipple, push the outer part of the coupling forward to lock the coupling to the LPS port nipple.

[Lamar]

MarkVa1, the charging and test(low pressure) port is located on top of the compressor which is accessed through the left wheel well. This was verified by Carnut230 in an earlier post above.

[MarkVa1]

hmmm. I'm little confused now, but I'll play around with both suggestions and see what pans out. I didn't look in the left wheel well, so maybe that's the next step. I thought I was attaching the recharging hose to the valve correctly on top of the evaporator, but I will check that again as well. Is there a difference between the 2001 and 2002 models on this? Mine is a 2001. Maybe our new moderator has an opinion :D ??

[ekooke]

The evaporator is in the cabin, near the heater core; thing in front of the radiator is the condenser.