AC leaking from low pressure port

[xveganxcowboyx]

My car has had no AC since I got it. With the recent hot weather I decided to try one of the r12->r134a kits. I prepped everything (system was totally empty so no evac to atmo). When I loaded it with the new refrigerant and disconnected the hose it was leaking from the low pressure valve. Is it likely it's just the valve or might I have done something wrong when adding the new fitting? (just a screw on type)

It stopped leaking when I screwed on the plastic cap, but I don't think that will hold very long.

 

[steve]

Was it leaking from the new fitting or from the interface between the two?

I might be stupid but I believe you have to pump a AC system down to a hard vacuum before you can fill it. If it was empty of R-12 that means it was full of air and the air has to come out before the refrigerant can go back in.

Steve

 

[CruisinGSX]

It's always best to have someone with the proper knowledge AND equipment at hand when doing A/C work.
After installing the retrofit kit, vacuum should be pulled on the system (roughly 28 inHg) for at least 20 minutes to remove all the old R-12, oil and miscellaneous other substances from the lines. Also, after that, it's best to hold the vacuum to see if there are any leaks in the system, to include the new fittings. Each system is supposed to be charged with a recommended amount of R-134a and oil, so it would be best to find out how much of each is supposed to be added to yours.

Anyway, enough ranting... Make sure the retrofit kit isn't loose, and also ensure that the valve isn't sticking in the low-side pressure port.
Or you could just remove the entire system to lose some weight in the front end

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

It was leaking out of the main hole, not around the threads of the adaptor. It seems like the valve itself is leaking, but I have almost no knowledge of these systems... Anyway, I was able to put my finger over the hole and stop the venting. The cap did the same, but I'm sure it's an imperfect/short term solution.

BTW, if you're not farmiliar, the new fitting has an extention of the valve rod (the little thing that is pushed to open the valve). This is why i was wondering if the extention could be the cause. Just over-tightened so that it pushes on the lower rod?


I think the reason to run the AC while filling is to evacuate air. Could be wrong on that though. I know it was a pretty half-assed conversion and fill, but I always seem to have cars with non-functioning AC so I'll be happy if it does anything.

 

[1fast97gsx]

I have this exact problem on my camaro. I charged it and it was leaking form the low side port but screwing the cap on stopped it. I'm assuming the valve can be unscrewed and there is some sort of O-ring in there that can be replaced?