Recharging A/C

[gmstsd]

My Cherokee Sport 1998 4.0L 6cyl A/C is not cooling enough. I am thinking of recharging with one of those unexpensive kits (A/C recharge for Dummies). The problem is I don't know where is the "service port"; in other words, I do not know where is that I should attach the recharge kit.
I have read is in the "lower" side, but there are three of those under the hood, two by the evaporator (one of them has a green knob) close to the dash, and one close to the compressor. Please, if anyone can send me in the right direction. Thanks.

[Saudade]

This is from the 2000 FSM but it should be similar:

"The high pressure service port is located on the refrigerant line, near the discharge port of the compressor. The low pressure service port is located on
the liquid line at the rear of the engine compartment, near the evaporator inlet tube.

Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic protective cap installed over it from the factory. After servicing the refrigerant system, always reinstall
both of the service port caps."

The fittings should be different sizes so you can't hook the refrigerant to the high side.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by gmstsd

My Cherokee Sport 1998 4.0L 6cyl A/C is not cooling enough. I am thinking of recharging with one of those unexpensive kits (A/C recharge for Dummies). The problem is I don't know where is the "service port"; in other words, I do not know where is that I should attach the recharge kit.
I have read is in the "lower" side, but there are three of those under the hood, two by the evaporator (one of them has a green knob) close to the dash, and one close to the compressor. Please, if anyone can send me in the right direction. Thanks.

Do not even think about one of them wal mart death kits if you love your car or the people riding in it.

Are you even sure it is low on freon?
Have you ran a pressure check on the low and high side with one of these?
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc...uct_Code=66773
Post back your low and high side readings at idle and at 2000 RPM
Ans we can help you.

Wal Mart DEATH KITS

You cannot properly and safely recharge an air condition system with them.

The one side stop and go gauge does not tell you what your system is doing or is over charged or undercharged.
A overcharged or malfunction air condition system can reach over 500 lbs of pressure.
Enough to blow up that can or system and freeze you at first and the burn you or blind you and if any propane /butane in there blow and light you up.

The stop leak crap and who knows what kind of oil in the kits there will stop your system for sure.
Just like pouring super glue in it.
And some kits even contain freon with a butane mixer.
Good for a big blast.

If you are going to do it do it right and safe.
Here is what you need to start with.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc...uct_Code=66773

In the older days you could just throw in a can and go.
But over the years just adding freon is getting harder to do.
Newer systems have to have the correct amount of freon down to the ounces.
Most will need pumped down and vacuumed down and the right and amount of oil and a set amount freon charge installed to get the air to cool right and the system to last.
If an air condition is low there is usually a leak that needs fixed and also a lose of lubricating oil from system.
Also air and moisture enters a low system
If you are going to try to do it get the proper type air condition gauge set with the low and high side gauges.
Hook up the gauges and get a reading with compressor running at idle and at 2000 rpm on the high and low side.
Post back pressure reading and we can help you.
MT

[gmstsd]

Originally Posted by Saudade

This is from the 2000 FSM but it should be similar:

"The high pressure service port is located on the refrigerant line, near the discharge port of the compressor. The low pressure service port is located on
the liquid line at the rear of the engine compartment, near the evaporator inlet tube.

Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic protective cap installed over it from the factory. After servicing the refrigerant system, always reinstall
both of the service port caps."

The fittings should be different sizes so you can't hook the refrigerant to the high side.

Thanks for the info. I found the low side / pressure service port in my Cherokee Sport 1998 located close to the evaporator. The low side hose is thicker than the high side. The port to the high side is close to the compressor.

[gmstsd]

For someone like me, totally in the dark about this matter, your advice is greatly appreciated. A friend of mine is a car mechanic, his shop is a little far from me but I will check if he has the manifold gauge set and try to borrow it from him. I will let you know the readings as soon as I have them.
Thanks a milllion!

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by gmstsd

For someone like me, totally in the dark about this matter, your advice is greatly appreciated. A friend of mine is a car mechanic, his shop is a little far from me but I will check if he has the manifold gauge set and try to borrow it from him. I will let you know the readings as soon as I have them.
Thanks a milllion!

Good idea.
Your friend may be able to point you in the right direction on checking and testing it to.
Here is a link to some good info to.
http://www.autoacforum.com/
Good luck
MT