low side service port

mfbyrd · 06-22-2009, 10:36 AM

my gf has a 2001 taurus. it has the 3.0 v6. i was going to recharge the AC but im having trouble locating the low side service port. i know its usually on an aluminum pipe but the only thing i saw that looked like the connector looked like a plastic pipe. it was close to the firewall on the passenger side. it had a small black cap on it that twisted off. is that it?!

thanks

Skyhawk · 06-22-2009, 02:42 PM

That should be the low side port. That having been said, how do you know that the system is low on refrigerant? With the car fully warmed up the low side pressure should be about 50 psi and the high pressure side should be about 250 psi. Thge air coming out of the middle vent in the dash should be approximately 36 to 45 degreesa F, depending upon the ambiant temperature. Also note that R-134a refrigerant has to be cooled to -250 degrees F in order to be liquified. If it splashes on your skin, or worse gets in your eyes, it will be a bad day for you. Wear protective gear. Also note that if the system needs a charge then it has a leak and that should be fixed. An A/C system is a sealed system and the only way it would need a charge is if it has a leak.

mfbyrd · 06-25-2009, 04:46 PM

well she told me that the AC did have a leak and it got fixed. all that needed to be done was a recharge. it didnt make much since to me that they didnt recharge it when they fixed it to test it. thanks for the info i will check the pressure and stuff. do you know how many cans i should use on a fully uncharged system? they sell the small ones and then they sell the larger ones with the guage on it. do i just keep filling it until the pressure reaches 50psi? do i need to measure the high side?

mfbyrd · 06-25-2009, 07:13 PM

update: ok so i went out and bought a recharge kit... i let the car warm up with max AC on for a few minutes. i see and hear the compressor kick on and off rather frequently. i connected the guage and the pressure flucuates...when the compressor starts it reads a little over 25 psi.. i added some refrigerant and when the compressor kicks off it will jump up to around 55psi or so. i went and turned the AC off and the pressure shot up to around 100psi...i assume this is bad!? if this is too much is there a way i can let the pressure out so to not damage the system even futher..or make a mess?

jwko · 07-10-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfbyrd

update: ok so i went out and bought a recharge kit... i let the car warm up with max AC on for a few minutes. i see and hear the compressor kick on and off rather frequently. i connected the guage and the pressure flucuates...when the compressor starts it reads a little over 25 psi.. i added some refrigerant and when the compressor kicks off it will jump up to around 55psi or so. i went and turned the AC off and the pressure shot up to around 100psi...i assume this is bad!? if this is too much is there a way i can let the pressure out so to not damage the system even futher..or make a mess?

I've had two 01 Taurus' and they both leaked out about a can a year, I think it's a common problem for them to seep a little. At least that's what Ford told us lol.

When you compressor clicked off due to low pressure, the system will begin to equalize between the low side and the high side, that is normal to see the pressure on the low side to rise.

I would add some to it and bring the low side pressure up to around 35psi and see how it holds for the summer. I bet it will be OK till next year.

Most people think 'more refrigerant means more cooling'... Not true. Stick to around 35psi, don't go to 50

Skyhawk · 06-25-2009, 09:42 PM

Your posts makes no sense. In order to fix a leak the system had to be drained of all refrigerant. Before refrigerant is added the system has to be evacuated of all moisture. Usually this is done with an inert gas such as nitrogen, and/or by vacuuming for on hour or more at 27 to 30 inches of mercury (vacuum). Once the systenm is dry and free of any moisture and holding a vacuum, that is no leaks, then the fresh refrigerant is added. Depending on what was done to repair the leak some refrigerant oil may need to be added to the system. With the system fully warmed up and on max A/C the pressures should be as stated earlier. The compressor will kick on and off when the pressure is low. That is what the "low pressure" cut off switch is intended to do. Refer to a service manual to determine the additional amount of refrigerant needed to bring the pressures up into full capacity range. The system generally uses a total of (for example) 30 to 36 ounces of refrigerant, but your system has an unknown amount of refrigerant in it already so that information is of no help.