What It This???

[wharriso]

I opened the hood yesterday and noticed this aluminum tube with some kind of connector on the end of it, and it looks like oil is coming out of it. I am a bit embarrassed that I can't figure out what this is. It looks like part of the cooling system but the liquid is brownish, not green. In the Haynes manual it has a plastic cover over it, I guess mine fell off.

Is that brown oil supposed to be there?

 

[swshawaii]

Definitely an A/C port. Different configuration from the Sport Trac 4.0 SOHC. I'm sure someone will chime in with the exact description.

 

[Duranged84]

Standard AC check/charge port. I have 03's so mine are in a different location, I cant tell by the pic if its the high or low side, but either way, Clean it with a shot of brake cleaner to get the gunk out of it and you can pick up another cap new or used. Pretty much any cap (High if its the larger port, low if its the smaller port) from like 95 or newer will thread on to it. Should be able to get one from the dealer if you want to spend a rediculous amount for something so cheap, or even parts stores should have some in a kit. Either way, its extremely common on almost everything newer than 95, easy to grab another. Not a problem, other than dirt, gunk, whatever getting in the top like you have.

 

[wharriso]

Thank you so much guys. I was worried because it looks like oil is leaking from it, which made no sense to me. I never had to work on an A/C before, I guess that's why I couldn't figure it out. I will clean it up and cover it.

 

[Rcflyer330]

That is the high side port. the low is on the far left side of the engine compartment near the firewall attached to the accumulator.

 

[Bobmbx]

Yep, thats the high side AC port. The fluid is the lubricant in the freon. The device is a Schraeder valve. It obviously has a small leak. You need to get a cap for it, and clean out the "well" so that its surgically clean.

Does your AC still make cold air? You've lost some freon.

 

[wharriso]

Yep, thats the high side AC port. The fluid is the lubricant in the freon. The device is a Schraeder valve. It obviously has a small leak. You need to get a cap for it, and clean out the "well" so that its surgically clean.

Does your AC still make cold air? You've lost some freon.

Yes, it still gets cool. I am trying to figure out how to replace that cap. Its not easy to find online. Do you think the leak is just because the cap it missing?

 

[MotorCityFats13]

if you have a pick your own parts junkyard you can get thousands of these caps for free.... lol..... its the lubricant that they add in with the r134a coolant... does not always indicate a leak... sometimes it leaks out of the can when you do a recharge and pools on the valve... but you refill on the low side so it might be a leak if this is the high side.... turn on the ac and one line will be cold and one will be warmer... high side is cold low side is warm/hot

 

[wharriso]

if you have a pick your own parts junkyard you can get thousands of these caps for free.... lol..... its the lubricant that they add in with the r134a coolant... does not always indicate a leak... sometimes it leaks out of the can when you do a recharge and pools on the valve... but you refill on the low side so it might be a leak if this is the high side.... turn on the ac and one line will be cold and one will be warmer... high side is cold low side is warm/hot

I just went outside to take a look. It is the high side, but it looks like I need 2 caps. I will probably try one of those recharge kits they are selling at Pep Boys, they have been pushing them for the past year or so.

 

[Bobmbx]

Yes, it still gets cool. I am trying to figure out how to replace that cap. Its not easy to find online. Do you think the leak is just because the cap it missing?

A junk yard is a good spot to look. The hi and low side caps are different sizes, too. that keeps you from doing the wrong thing with a can of Freon.

the cap does nothing more than keep dirt, moisture, and debris out of the valve itself. The valve itself is just like the valve on your tire stems; push down on the 'needle' and the valve opens. So, no, you have a slow leak. I will say that I wouldn't be concerned in the slightest about it.

If you feel brave, try tapping/pushing down on the needle until you hear a 'hiss'. That may clear any debris on the seal away and stop the slow leak.