Recharging A/C - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

vam · 05-31-2006, 04:08 PM

Hi all,

I have a 1997 Explorer, Eddie Bauer Edition v8. Can someone tell me where I can find an engine diagram so i can located the lower valve in the AC unit. I purchased an AC recharger kit and they are telling me to connect to the lower valve.

Thanks,

victor

*Brock94* · 05-31-2006, 04:54 PM

I'm not sure exactly where they are on your 97 (I have a 94), but there are only two service ports on the A/C system. Each of them has a plastic cap that unscrews (they should anyway). If you follow the hoses of your A/C system around, you will find the two service ports. The low side port on my 94 is actually on the receiver/drier (the tank-like thing). The low-side port is much smaller in diameter than the high side, so that will make it obvious which is which.

That's all to answer your question, but I'm not a big fan of the recharge kits because they oversimplify the charging and A/C repair process and you risk doing damage to your system that could be more costly than getting it professionally repaired.

Read the sticky post in this forum on Recharging A/C-- it outlines the proper procedure so you can contrast that to what is provided in your kit. You risk overcharging and destroying your compressor, not to mention that the kit will not repair a leak. The sticky post on converting from R-12 to R-134a also has a good discussion on the use of kits (and the best way to use them if you must).

So you know, it would be best not to use a kit with "stop-leak" in it. Most shops test for this stuff and will not repair your system later if it has this in it. (Stop-leak damages their recovery equipment.)

All that said, if you are interested in learning how to fix your system right, there is good info here and people here will be glad to walk you through it. The last two times I took a car to the A/C shop it cost me $600-$700-- with manifold gauge sets for $40-$100 and vacuum pumps for $180 (or less if you find a place that rents), you can easily save a ton of money and still do the repairs the right way.

vam · 05-31-2006, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the info Brock, I'm going to take your advice and have it professionaly done.

*Brock94* · 06-01-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vam

Thanks for the info Brock, I'm going to take your advice and have it professionaly done.

I didn't mean to discourage you from doing it yourself-- just from using the $30 miracle kit. Of course you should use your judgment about what you're willing/able to take on, but my main point is that the special A/C tools you need to buy to do it right will usually pay for themselves on the first repair and you'll still have the tools for next time.

05-31-2006, 04:08 PM	#1
vam Wannabe Elite Explorer Brooklyn, NY 1997 Eddie Bauer 4WD Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	Recharging A/C Hi all, I have a 1997 Explorer, Eddie Bauer Edition v8. Can someone tell me where I can find an engine diagram so i can located the lower valve in the AC unit. I purchased an AC recharger kit and they are telling me to connect to the lower valve. Thanks, victor

05-31-2006, 04:54 PM	#2
Brock94 Elite Explorer Milford, CT 1994 XLT Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 587 Vehicle Specs	I'm not sure exactly where they are on your 97 (I have a 94), but there are only two service ports on the A/C system. Each of them has a plastic cap that unscrews (they should anyway). If you follow the hoses of your A/C system around, you will find the two service ports. The low side port on my 94 is actually on the receiver/drier (the tank-like thing). The low-side port is much smaller in diameter than the high side, so that will make it obvious which is which. That's all to answer your question, but I'm not a big fan of the recharge kits because they oversimplify the charging and A/C repair process and you risk doing damage to your system that could be more costly than getting it professionally repaired. Read the sticky post in this forum on Recharging A/C-- it outlines the proper procedure so you can contrast that to what is provided in your kit. You risk overcharging and destroying your compressor, not to mention that the kit will not repair a leak. The sticky post on converting from R-12 to R-134a also has a good discussion on the use of kits (and the best way to use them if you must). So you know, it would be best not to use a kit with "stop-leak" in it. Most shops test for this stuff and will not repair your system later if it has this in it. (Stop-leak damages their recovery equipment.) All that said, if you are interested in learning how to fix your system right, there is good info here and people here will be glad to walk you through it. The last two times I took a car to the A/C shop it cost me $600-$700-- with manifold gauge sets for $40-$100 and vacuum pumps for $180 (or less if you find a place that rents), you can easily save a ton of money and still do the repairs the right way. __________________ Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit. What are you, O great mountain? -God

05-31-2006, 10:12 PM	#3
vam Wannabe Elite Explorer Brooklyn, NY 1997 Eddie Bauer 4WD Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the info Brock, I'm going to take your advice and have it professionaly done.