A/C refrigerant recharge

[jchu]

I am having trouble recharging A/C on my 944S2. I assume that the low side port is on the line along the driver side fender between the sighting glass and the point where it goes into the dashboard. The port is pointing up with a black cap. I used an old can of R12 and an old recharging kit. I run the car with A/C on and connected the charging kit. Nothing Happened!! Freeon is not going in!! What could be the problem? Am I using the wrong port? I do not see anything to push the valve down after the kit is connected to the port. Is the freeon pressure in the can supposed to be high enough to get into the A/C system?
Thanks.

[Aufenbahn]

When I do what you're doing I stand the freon can in a bucket of warm (not too hot) water. This helps the freon get from liquid to vapor and provide pressure to speed up the process. It does take a while and you need to be sure that your compressor is cycling on

[many944s]

Is the clutch engaging and compressor turning?
The low pressure switch should activate at 20psi.

I have seen a couple of those little charge tubes where the "pin" fell out. If the center pin is not present, it can not press the valve open on the low pressure fitting, thus not allowing the refrigerant to enter the system.

-Nick

[jchu]

That could be it. I do not see a center "pin" in the charging tube.
I think the compressor is on since I can see oil like streaking pattern through the sighting glass.
Any idea where I can get a replacement "pin" or charging tube?

-Jim

[callmethewander]

hi, while we're on the subject, how do you know which type of refrigerant you need and where do you get the old stuff?

[many944s]

Jim, Napa carries the short charging tubes for less than $10.

Wander, If you were closer I'd have you stop by my shop. I have probably 50lbs of R-12 in bulk cans to use in my A/C service machine. You can pick up the 12oz cans on Ebay, but you have to provide the seller with an EPA certification number. If you need a couple of cans, let me know, I'll get a couple of cans using my certification then ship them off to you.

Let me know
-Nick

[jchu]

Thanks, Nick.
I got 8 cans of R12, along with the defective charging tube, from a friend. I will stop by a store and look for those old style tubes.
Where are you in Indiana? I am in Chicago.
Thanks a bunch.
- Jim

[Usmellgass2?]

I have been having good luck with Johnsens Freez 12. Manufacture claims it is fully compatible with r 12 sys and can be used to top them off. Any body else have any experience with this stuff?

[callmethewander]

Nick, thx, how do I know if i need the R12? does it say somewhere on the car? or a/c system?

[Eldorado]

all the 944's take R12, unless a previous owner converted it.

[nynor]

i bought some duracool off of evilbay. will work with r134a or r12. i figured that i have no idea what the previous owner put in there, so it should be compatible.

[callmethewander]

sounds good thx

[bazar01]

Originally posted by jchu
I am having trouble recharging A/C on my 944S2. I assume that the low side port is on the line along the driver side fender between the sighting glass and the point where it goes into the dashboard. The port is pointing up with a black cap.
Thanks.

Nope, that is the high side. Be careful. That has about 250 psi.

The low side port is on the compressor.

[jchu]

Thanks, bazar01. The port with the black cap is indeed the high side. YOU MAY HAVE SAVED MY LIFE!!
Where is the compressor on this 1989 944S2? Do I have to approach it from underneath the car?

[nynor]

yep. bottom driver's side.