Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

300zxer on Fri June 17, 2011 7:26 AM

Year: 2002
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Suburban
Engine Size: 5.3
Refrigerant Type: r134
Country of Origin: United States

My high side schrader valve is leaking. I have never replaced one with pressure in the system. I have seen two kits on line, the Mastercool (58490) and the Cliplight (CLP312KIT). Links to each below. If I buy a kit to do the job, I would like to have one for both r134 and r12. So, is one kit better than the other? Is this the way to go, or should I evacuate the system, change the valve and recharge?


Mastercool Link

Cliplight Link

Edited: Fri June 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM by 300zxer

GM Tech on Fri June 17, 2011 6:35 PM

replace the entire valve assembly- after discharging system- no kit needed.......or just get a cap with a good rubber element in it.

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

300zxer on Wed June 22, 2011 9:42 AM

GM Tech, thanks for the advice. I evacuated the system and tried to remove the whole assembly. It is tight to the point I am afraid I will strip the flat spots off of the port. I held the lower 16mm flat with an open end wrench and used a socket on the port. I noticed the new one from Napa has an orange thread lock on it. I suppose the one in the truck has it also. I considered putting my air impact wrench on it, but being aluminum, I am afraid to. Any advice? For now, I think I will pull a vacuum, add the 3 lbs specified and put a tight cap on it. Otherwise, I am probably looking at buying a new high pressure line just to repair the valve core!

GM Tech on Wed June 22, 2011 11:45 AM

new cap is about $1.50 a no-brainer

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

300zxer on Wed June 22, 2011 12:07 PM

My mistake/stupidity. I took another look and saw where the socket had a split on the flats which is where I thought it came apart. Looking at the new port, it comes apart higher and none of my metrics or sae tools fit. It measured 15.5 mm. I had to use an adjustable crescent to get it out. It came out easy and the $4.95 new one is installed and holding vacuum. Now a 3 lb charge and I will be done. Thanks for the help GM tech.

Edited: Wed June 22, 2011 at 12:14 PM by 300zxer

300zxer on Wed June 22, 2011 12:08 PM