a/c service port leaking on low side - possible to repair without evacuation?
 

Hello,

I have a retrofitted a/c to an R134 system in my 300SD. Did most of it myself with the help of a mechanic and it has lasted well for over 7-8 years.

Now there is a leak from the low side service port...it has the original r12 port with a retrofit adapter installed on top of it...I'm thinking that the valve stem on the original port probably went bad or is stuck or something.

is it possible to put a new port /stem on there without having to replace the receiver/dryer etc?

That is, lets say I remove the freon...will the 1-2 minutes of installing a new stem be enough to require replacement of the receiver dryer?

I guess I will also need to evacuate the air from the system?! Are there any pumps available for the DIY since I have 4 cars it might be something worthwhile getting...

Is there a replacement fitting that could just screw on that would have its own stem in there so I wouldn't need to discharge the system?

I would bet that you have aluminum adapter ports. You will have to recover the refrigerant to repair this. I would strongly suggest that you buy steel or brass adapter ports and replace both adapters while the system is empty. With these high quality adapters, you totally remove the original shraeder valves.

You can get these at www.acsource.com or your local automotive a/c supply house. About all you can get at the auto supply stores are the junky aluminum adapters.

FYI, there is a special tool for changing shraeder valves in an original R12 system without losing the charge.

Good luck,

Larry I'm a bit new at this AC thing so forgive me if I'm sounding ignorant on this...
I have the cheapie adapters on my car too, and I'm having problems getting my guage set to work with the high side one.... I get no connection, or it leaks, or pops off, or somehow yesterday unseated an o-ring from my guage set's fitting that connects the brass fitting on the red hose to the high side port on the car.

I wonder if those brass fittings are R12 compatible?

Yes, there is a tool for this. Check this site:

http://ackits.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Vcst