A/C Valve Leaking

After charging the A/C, I noticed the low pressure schrader valve bubbling fairly vigorously. I will try to tighten the valve, if that doesn't work, are the low pressure valves replaceable and available at a reasonable price?

 

The Schrader valve is replaceable, but you’ll dump the charge pulling it and it’s under a reasonable amount of pressure. I’d take it to a shop, let the. Recover the refrigerant and replace it after the valve is changed out.

 

FYI, our specific shrader valves are available at Autozone for the high/low for a couple of bucks. But as Phil said, you need to recover the freon before changing it out. Replacing the schrader valves takes all of 45 seconds, by the way.

 

Btw, I’d suggest replacing both while it’s evacuated. When one leaks, figure the other will eventually.

 

You do not have to evacuate the R134a to replace the schrader valve. There is a tool that is used to replace the valve without losing the pressure at all.

$54 Mastercool 81490 R134a Valve Core Remover & Installer – Service Valve Cores Under Pressure – Compact Tool for Automotive A/C Systems with Internal Shutoff

https://www.amazon.com/MASTERCOOL-81490-R134a-Remover-Installer/dp/B000KITSMI

See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES0NFPH4eJg

I learned this from a good friend here. Thanks: @CurtB

 

I'm ashamed to admit I don't know where it is, or if I even still own, a Schrader valve tool. Walmart has the tool and four standard Shrader valves for a couple bucks. I'll see how long the A/C lasts. It's been 100°+ every day so it will be a proper test.
If it turns out to be just a Schrader valve, I would consider that fortunate indeed. I charged the system with STP ACPro. Even if it all leaks out, the hose and gauge are reusable; ~$30. Replace the valve, recharge with a couple cans of refrigerant from Walmart, hope for the best.

 

That is not the way to go to have a properly charged and functional AC System. That canned AC charge shit isn't worth the hazard of damage to the AC System. You can't properly charge the system with only one gauge, it doesn't work that way.

Didn't you see above you don't have to dump the R134a to replace the Schrader Valve.

 

Shit, that thing is clever!

 

The inventor is a smart fella!

 

LOL at "STP AC Pro"

 

It's a big can of refrigerant and reusable hose and gauge. It got the non working air conditioning blowing cold. Not sure what you expect for $30.

 

To properly charge a system you really should pull vacuum to remove all humidity from the lines though. A can with a gauge doesn’t do that. Doesn’t let you look at high and low pressure levels while system is operating to gauge correct charge.

It’s your truck, I’m just telling you from personal experience it ain’t right.

 

Before you do anything about the ac valve cores, take a blunt poker of some kind and depress the center of the leaking valve core a couple times real quick. Sometimes that’s all it takes to reseat the valve. You may not even need to replace it. Protect your hand from the r134a with a glove

 

AC pro has "leak stop" in it. It will perhaps buy you some time, then it will completely F up your AC. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but in a year.... Good luck, because it's too late now, it's in there.

 

Hard to believe that every can of AC Pro sold has destroyed the air conditioning system it was used on. Think you would hear about that somewhere other than your post.
It may not be the best solution, but it's the best available option.

 

Best available option would be to find and fix the leak, pull a vacuum, and charge with pure R134A. That's how us guys that make a living doing HVACR do it. Best of luck to you, not gonna argue any more.

 

I'm done making a living, trying to save money. Don't respond if it bothers you that much. There's always a better way to do something.

 

It's not like it's destroying every AC system that it's used on, it's more of a band-aid fix. You could compare it to putting Slime in a leaking tire, sure, the slime stops the leak and plugs the hole and it'll get you home so that you can do a proper fix. However, the slime effectively fubars the tire and wheel. The AC Pro is a "hot" shot of refrigerant to top up the high side IIRC. You can do the proper AC fix with simple tools. Ultimately, before you do this, I would run a can of UV leak detect through the system first to find out where you're leaking from so that once you start working, you can fix the underlying problem. Run this leak detect stuff through your AC for about 3 days to a week and black light the shit out of your engine bay like you're cleaning up after an all day 70s Italian gang-bang porno shoot. Don't forget to wand your heater core behind your glove box.

$130 Kozyvacu AUTO AC Repair Complete Tool Kit with 1-Stage 3.5 CFM Vacuum Pump, Manifold Gauge Set, Hoses and its Acccessories

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PY6NHR This vacuum comes with the manifold gauge

You'd need a little less than 2 full cans of R134a refrigerant, and I'd replace both of the schrader valves while you're at it. After you capture all of the old refrigerant, I would do some preventative maintenance and replace the seals going into and out of the heater core while the system is evacuated. I'd also pull a vacuum for at least 4 hours prior to putting in your new refrigerant. When transitioning to the second can, insert the can with the nipple facing down so that the liquid refrigerant is in the neck of the can, that way no unnecessary air gets introduced into the system. Place the second can on the digital scale to make sure you put the proper amount of r134a. I cant remember exactly how much you'd need, but it'll be under the hood on the fan shroud I believe. All in all, doing your own AC work isn't too difficult to do it properly. You'd need the specialty tools I linked, the manifold gauge (this is idiot proof, the schrader valves are different sized for the high/low so you'll know you have the gauge installed correctly), a scale (any scale would work, but the ol' lady might not want you using her fancy kitchen scale for vehicle maintenance), and a constant vacuum pump. You might be able to rent the gauge and pump from an auto parts store. I haven't verified this yet. Just make sure you take it to a reputable AC shop to evacuate your old refrigerant for a nominal fee.

Last minute add: We're not trying to insult your intelligence and ultimately, it is your vehicle - your decision. However, we are just trying to convey that it's not difficult to do most of the work on this truck given adequate space and tools. Tacomaworld is a collective of individuals each with individual experiences that are just trying to share their knowledge with you so take it as you will, with a grain of salt. Have you messed up your AC system because you ran leak stop through it? Not necessarily. More than likely, you've limited the efficiency of your AC by sealing up passage-ways through your heater core and gumming up the vanes in your AC condenser. It'll still work but not to what the capacity you've been accustom to.

Youtube is blocked here at work, but ChrisFix has a series of videos that are using our Tacoma for diagnosing AC leaks and charging the AC using the method I described above. Search 'ChrisFix AC charge' and you should be able to see the video series I'm talking about.

-J