Trying to top-up my A/C. Already previously converted to R134 as the High side has the R134 adaptor connected. For the life of me, I cannot find an adaptor for the Low side. Some benign English thread, as I've tried everywhere to identify what it is. Standard R12 adapters do not fit. Is there a Factory special adapter for these cars?

 

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Thanks David,
The threads on the Interdynamics fittings are just what all available kits have. The brass (with knurled cap) fitting installed on the Low side line will not accept any off the shelf adapters, so there must be a specifically made one.

Anyone else run into this situation?

 

I totally redid my stock ac a month ago. 84 Vanden Plas. I used a standard low side adapter that I got from Rock Auto. It had an integrated Schrader valve so remove the old. Fit with no problem. The part number is in the post I wrote up about it

 

Is it possible your low side R12 fitting is missing, as that is what the female threads on the low side R134a adapters fit to???
Do you see a schrader valve inside after removing the brass knurled nut? Can't imagine how the system was serviced with R12, if the fitting had different threads or size than the standard size R12 service equipment fittings. ???

 

Fitment process:

Remove the OEM Jaguar low side cap. That will be shopping model 1.

Take it and the R134 after market adapter to a "real": hardware store with a good stock. Our local ACE hardware is well stocked with stuff like that You might well find the needed "bridge".

Was on errands in my Jeep. It is hot out.. AC OK when moving along. Not so much at slow speed.
I know what that means !! Low R134! Add to the task list. Not til I am of cataract surgery imposed light duty..
"

 

Well, I checked a few wreaked SIII's and of the three checked, two had a LP charging port on the line from the fuel cooler to the evaporator, this port was located just at the cooler. The second had the charging port on the same line but at the evaporator end.
On my car,I believe someone built a new line (it certainly looks non-original) when they converted to R134 and ended up tapping a charge port directly into the end of the LP line that goes from the compressor to the cooler. They tapped into the circular boss that attaches the line to the compressor. The general opinion round here is that the port used was not an R12 one (that would take a standard R134 adapter, but one from some propane equipment.

I don't believe they ever used propane, as the HP line has an R134 adapter screwed onto the original R12 port, so two sets of gauges would need to be used to charge/test/evacuate the system. I think they just charged through the HP line.
I have decided to remove a 6 inch section of my LP hose (from the rubber part), have the shop fabricate a "Tee" that has a welded R134 LP fitting and insert it into the cut hose. I will leave the existing "LP" port where it is and charge from the "Tee"

Excited now cause my new compressor, Expansion valve, Drier and superheat stuff arrives today.

I plan to replace my radiator with a shiny new aluminium one, clean the condenser, replace the compressor/superheat package and set up the new line.

Will advise. Wish I had a camera!

 

On my car the connection point to the compressor is OEM for R12. I installed a R134a Adapter when I converted the system from R12.

If yours look like the above, it is where the LP fitting is located. This is how it came from the factory.

 

Mine looks exactly like yours, except someone has changed the original R12 port to something that no R134 adapter fill fit onto. No one can even identify the thread type on it. It is just slightly larger than a normal R12 fitting, so no adapter will fit.

 

Since it is bigger than a 'normal' R12 fitting, Is it possible that there is a threaded sleeve screwed on to the original R12 fitting?
Since you are replacing some parts, and hoses, you can get the shop that is doing your hoses to install the LP fitting in a more convenient location.

 

What we will do is splice in a R134 fitting into the existing LP line. By the way, finding a shop up here that still does AC work like building a new line is almost impossible. Perhaps a hot-rod shop.

 

Ian

Everyday XJ may have a good used low-side port from an old A6 compressor ... might be less hassle than a new line.

Hydraulic shops that make hoses for heavy equipment might have all the fittings you need and the tools to install a tee in an existing line.

Rgds
David