94 Crown Vic A/C, oil leak and alarm

Hi.
I tested the ac on my car that I posted a question about a week ago. The compressor turns when I jump the low pressure switch, so I guess it is good. However there is zero pressure on the suction side. So, can I hook up a can of 134a to see if it will take any, or do I need to pump it down first?

The car also has an oil leak just like my old 94 Marquis. Is that a common trait? I haven't examined it yet, so I'm not sure of the exact location of the leak.

The car has a Ford installed alarm in it, is there a way to permanently disable or remove it? the battery is dead in the key switch, so I have to push a button under the dash when starting it. Guess I could buy a battery, but who is going to steal a 13 year old retiree's car!

Otherwise it's a pretty decent car with only 83K on the clock.

Thanks,
J

If you've got the 351 Windsor engine the oil leak is the pressure sending unit behind the powersteering pump bracket. Diaphram is probably torn or leaking.

The advantage of pumping it down is that it will make any moisture in the system boil out from low vacuum. I would put on a new driyer-reciever and pump it down. Could just put in a couple of bottles of freon, the amount is under the hood in a sticker. I think it is 3 lbs.

Adding a little refrigerant to see if the system will work will not hurt anything. But remember that refrigerant does not evaporate so there is a leak in the system that needs repaired. The 94 Vic has the same motor as your 94 Marquis. They both have the 4.6L engine. If the Vic is a CVPI, look at the oil cooler as a source for the leak.