Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Hi, my fellow members,

Need your expertise and brain power, My 2012 Dodge minivan A/C high-side Schrader valve is leaking, the valve core could be shot (yellowish liquid seen). My question: Are high-side and low side valve cores same (interchangeable)? Also, is R-134A valve core from auto parts store fitted all cars with R-134A system?

jz57 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 3:35 pm My question: Are high-side and low side valve cores same (interchangeable)? Also, is R-134A valve core from auto parts store fitted all cars with R-134A system?

Good questions, and I'm not sure of the answer myself. I think after the refrigerant is out that I'd take the schraeder valves out, REPLACE THE VALVE CAPS SO AIR/MOISTURE DOESN'T GET IN, and take the schraeders to the store to match up. I know R134a valve caps can be different among manufacturers, and the caps are the main seal, so buy new caps too.

Myself - I have bought a "kit" of R-12 and R134a schraeders, and it looks like there's no difference between low side and high side schraeders, but R-12 ones are different from R134a ones. I haven't used any yet...

There is a core removal tool you can buy to remove them without losing any refrigerant. Get a decent one lot of cheap ones on Amazon if they leak that refrigerant. These are used lot in HVAC work they remove the core while they flowing nitrogen to solder, vacuuming.


https://youtu.be/jsVwIvdDv-s?si=e3r9BDNQUZlyzlcM

Are you reasonably sure the core is screwed in snugly (not tight).
There is a long reach shrader tool that is used to check this. Very simple tool and cheap. I would check that first. Cusser gave the solid advice about the caps

Previous poster mentioned a special tool to remove and replace shrader core without losing Freon. They are available for residential and also automotive.
Very slick tool. This is not something I would do without checking the snugness as mentioned above.there are lots of specialized MVAC tools

A couple of caveats are that core removal tools come in different sizes depending on the size of the Schrader valve you want to remove, as well as the type of connection. The video shows a Schrader valve typically used with residential HVAC systems, similar in size and shape to an ordinary tire Schrader valve. However, larger Schraders, like those used on MVAC systems (some Toyota vehicles and other makes, for example) won't won't work with that particular tool because the bore is too small and the connection to the service port differs. And certain GM vehicles don't use a Schrader valve, instead making use of a small rubber ball to seal the service port.

Thanks very much for all the input and help!

Purchased a set valve core for Chrysler from Rockauto, plz see the attached pix. The valve cores have difference between hi/low side. The removal tool have a groove on its each end, a wide one for large core, and the narrow one for small core.

The new question is about removal tool for non-discharging system. See the attached pix. The high side tool only has narrow groove tip, which does not fit my application.

I did search in Amazon, based on posted picture, all hi/low side "fancy" removal tools have same size groove.

Please shed light on the direction, where I can buy valve removal tool.
The non-discharging system hi-saide removal tool has same size groove as the regula removal tool low-side one.

Where are the pix of the cores you bought? They may need to be down sized in order to fit here.
OK just read your last line. You should not have any trouble uploading pix from your drive. Download your pix to your drive then from there, upload to here.
And please note that pix and links to outside sources are not allowed here, if that is how you posted the pix. But pix of your own stuff are OK.

When I tried to upload pix, clicked "Insert Photo" icon, then the following symbol pupped out:



That is for external link / host .

There is no way to upload pix from my PC directly. Maybe a special member could do it.

tbirdtbird wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2024 6:26 am Where are the pix of the cores you bought? They may need to be down sized in order to fit here.
OK just read your last line. You should not have any trouble uploading pix from your drive. Download your pix to your drive then from there, upload to here.
And please note that pix and links to outside sources are not allowed here, if that is how you posted the pix. But pix of your own stuff are OK.

Tim, can you help with posting his images?

To the poster, you hit the Attachment tab at the bottom left, and then ‘add files’, then follow the prompts, it should work.
I myself was never able to get the drag and drop function to work.

The Forum software probably is preventing the picture from posting if it isn't 256KB or less in size.