Hi all, When I recharged my ac system last year I noticed that when I disconnected the charging hose from the cars ac line it was leaking from the charging inlet. I thought that maybe the Schrader valve was loose or worn out, but when I looked for the Schrader valve, all I saw was a rubber stopper of some sort, no Schrader valve. Can someone tell me if a Schrader valve was used in this ac system. The car is a 1996 XJS 4.0 engine with 133,000 miles. Any help would be appreciated. thank you, kenr

 

When I changed the compressor on my XJ6L with 4.0 one of mine stuck part open and was the check ball type valve. A "coaxing" with the pointed end of my awl a few time was all that was needed to get it to seat.

 

Kenr, I replaced one of my ports a few days ago. They are available from NAPA, Autozone and Advance. Just screw off and back on. Mine was the high pressure port but the process is the same for the low pressure one. My XJS is the same model as yours.
Luck, RagJag

 

^^ that. The port itself should unscrew and then you can access the bits underneath/inside

 

Kenr, be careful if you do this yourself. If you have the eight sided socket, fine but I took mine off with an adjustable wrench. I held the valve with a channel lock to be sure that I didn't twist it off the tube.
Trying what JTsmks said may fix it. I didn't think to do that.
The valves are not expensive. My system still had some Freon in it but very little so I took the valve off and quickly screwed the new one on to keep moisture from entering the system. Seems to have worked fine.


One other thing. You will have to get 12 volts to the clutch as it won't engage without pressure in the system. The pressure switch in on the side of the engine bay just over from the compressor. Looks like a little 2" tall metal can with two wires coming out of the top. Unplug it and use something metal to short the wires on the compressor end of the wires. I used a paperclip.


I know the process of not pulling a vacuum on the system is not the correct way to do this but that is done to remove all moisture. Not necessary if you do the valve switch quickly and there is still Freon in there. My AC comes down to 40-45 degrees F and does not freeze up.
Cheers, RagJag

 

RagJag why are you turning the compressor on early before there is enough pressure? i am confused. It is setup that way because it can become damaged without enough pressure.

If you hook up a set of gauges and fill the system it will cut on by itself once it reaches safe levels. I've filled multiple systems from 0 pressure or vacuum and have never had to do that.

 

Sidescrollin,
There is still oil in the system and I idle the engine while putting the first can in. I did state this is not the correct method. In the absence of gauges and a vacuum pump, this does work. If my system had been open to the atmosphere I would have taken it to a shop for service.
Will the Freon go into the system without the compressor turning? I will try that next time it goes too low to activate the switch. I do hope the leak is fixed so I won't have to do this again.
RagJag

 

Yeah, even only using the low pressure port, you will still be filling the system. Think of the compressor like it is just a pump, a relatively small amount of freon is kept in the compressor itself. It isn't at all necessary to power the compressor to prematurely turn the clutch on. Just start filling it. You know the system is actually working once the clutch starts coming on. It is usually like 20psi or something, which you should be able to get if you shake the can at an angle and get it flowing.

It does not matter that you still have oil in the system. When enough refrigerant has leaked out to trip the low pressure switch, the system is no longer being lubricated. The lubricating oil is moved through the system via the refrigerant. It cannot be carried though air, so the compressor may be damaged as a result.

 

I have always put the can into a pot of warm water. This makes the filling go more quickly.
RagJag

 

Just go with the directions on most bottles, swirl it around at an angle. This increases pressure in the can and keeps it up so you can continue filling

 

I dropped the cans long ago and went to SAM's where I can get a 30 Gallon bottle
of R-134 for $85. They also sell the cans in a carton of 12 for about $60.
Since I have 6 cars that need periodic charges and family members
that need a touch up occasionally, the big bottle goes a long way and it is way more
economical in the long run.

 

Does anyone have a picture of the recharge port/location?

 

No pic but the low pressure port is in the line just in front of the dryer. Your fill device will only fit that on. The high pressure port is just back from the condenser as it exits close to the radiator. Both ports are on the right side.

 

Both valves are on the right side of the engine bay and are in plain sight. The low pressure port is on your left as you face the bay at the right fender. Your fill device will only fit the low pressure valve.

 

no one has mentioned this

but do not allow any refrigerant to get into your eyes, IT WILL MAKE YOU BLIND

any messing around with AC is dangerous , and in the UK illegal without a licence to handle the gas !!

BB

 

Howdy BB, y'all must not be from Texas, we live dagone dangerous down here 😀😅😉
The guvnor just passed a law making concealed carry legal in universities, so I'm sure 'em kids will be just fine with some refrigerant

 

BB, we in the US are almost stifled with Government regulations. Obviously not as completely as you UK blokes are though. It is still legal to charge our own AC systems, carry pocket knives and guns. We aren't even charged when shooting thugs that are robbing us or invading our homes.
Cheers, RagJag

 

all of the above, which i respect, but that won't stop you going blind if you get refrigerant in your eyes


and you need those to be able to drive our beautiful cars, while carrying your gun and knife,,,,,,lol

BB

 

Well said BB! BTW, I'm waiting for my Permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon. As we say here in the Sunshine State "when seconds count, the police are minutes away".

 

The nice thing about being retired military in the Sunshine State, no waiting.