AC Question

[joben17]

I have a 1996 Ranger 4.0 and I have a question... I just replaced the AC compressor, vacuum the system, and added 2 12 oz cans of R134a. Truck was blowing cold air and I was happy until I discovered a slight leak at the high side valve. I ordered the tool designed to replace the schrader valve on a fully charged system, but all it did was break the valve. I had also purchased a kit that had the valve installed in a new valve cap or housing (not sure what its called). So I quickly installed the part but not before some freon was released. There is still some pressure in the system because I can hear a hiss when I depress one of the valves. My questions are:

1) is there a simple way to test the schrader valves since during the vac and recharge process they are covered with the gauges?

2) since there is some residual pressure in the system, do I need to have the existing freon recaptured, perform a new vacuum, and complete recharge, or can I just top off the system as it sits?\

Sorry the long setup? Thanks in advance for any insight to my problem.

 

[franklin2]

If you have some pressure still in the system, just take soapy water and put on the valves to check for leaks. If you have no leaks, you can just top off the system, since it has never been opened, you do not need to put a vacuum on it again.

 

[joben17]

Thanks!