AC Fill Pipe extension?

[sKiZo]

Bright idea, putting the R134 fill valve underneath where you can't get to it, eh.

 

Wondering if there's an extension pipe you can mount to the OEM fill valve to relocate the nipple to a more practical location? My local Ford dealer is backed up two weeks for what should probably be a simple DIY recharge. I've had a lot of AC'd vehicles over time and haven't met one yet that can't benefit from a can of refrigerant every year or so. Just did that with my Aurora - cooling was getting weak and it took five minutes to do the job.

[jphphoto]

Did you ever find a solution to this? New to me 2010 XLT in November this year, so I'm curious if you found a good work around or how hard it might be to do it yourself. I heard you need to remove the right front wheel and remove a fender panel. Not a curbside fix but maybe with a driveway and a few tools?

[G B L]

Sounds like a AC Test set will have hoses long enough to reach the valves.

[lowspeedpursuit]

Perhaps something like this Charging Hose Extension could be left permanently installed. I probably wouldn't. I would be worried about leaks at the quick-connect from vibration over the long-term, and if you need to recharge your AC frequently, it has a leak that should be addressed properly.

 

As far as accessing the port, it's a pain in the ass, but not really "difficult". Jack up, pull the wheel, pull half the fasteners on the forward side of the well liner so you can pry it back/reach behind it. The fasteners are either phillips, small/medium torx, or a mix of the two.