1990 E350 Club Wagon: Location of A/C recharge port?

[Kaliburz]

Just got the thing.... 1990 Club Wagon E350 w/ 7.3L IDI. I'd like to put/test the AC refrigerant. It doesn't seem that cold. The A/C compressor runs (thankfully), but it doesn't blow cold (well, what I consider cold).

It's been converted over to R134A (sticker is there) and I found a red capped port. It was by the driver side batter, right over the windshield fluid bottle. Any how, I'm hazarding a guess that that is the high side port. I've been told that one should find the low side port to recharge. So... question is, where is it? I was assuming it should have a blue cap, but who knows if it was put back.

I looked at the Chilton/Hanes(?) and it give a cop out answer. Says to go to a professional . It doesn't even show pictures of the inside of the engine for locations of stuff.

So where is the port to recharge the AC system located at????

THANKS!

edit-
Oh, other question. On the fuel filter housing, the bottom has a what appears to be a barb fitting. I take it that is the drain. Any how, is there suppose to be a hose attached to it, mine is doesn't have one. And where does this hose lead to (if it is suppose to have one)?

[van_350sd]

I just took mine to a pro shop, it's way over my head.

Our vans take 4 lbs. of the 134A for a Front % Rear system and 13 oz. of Pag Oil.
That's what my sticker says under the hood.

My system was only holding 1/2 lb. I had to add 3 1/2 lbs. of 134A.

It cost 200.00, kinda high, but the van is blowing 42 degrees in the front and 43 in the rear on a hot day.

[Kaliburz]

Ah... but where is the port????

[Kaliburz]

OKay, I found the port. Kind of a weird location. It would be right above the alternator, on the section of tubing that runs from the driver/passenger side. It's behind a plastic piece that a bunch of stuff is in (battery cable, vacuum lines and a wiring harness). Not exactly in view.....

A mechanic buddy took out his little mirror on a 'stick' and searched.....

[van_350sd]

So if you find the Port can you simply hook-up-a can of Refrigerant and just fill-er-up?

I don't, want to pay 200.00 again.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by van_350sd

So if you find the Port can you simply hook-up-a can of Refrigerant and just fill-er-up?

I don't, want to pay 200.00 again.

That's one way of doing it, but you risk the chance of overcharging and ruining the system. The Proper way would be to hook up a manifold gauge set to see what the high and low side pressures are, and based on the readings you can make a pretty educated guess as to what is wrong. Those recharge cans at wally world and such have a generic "gauge" on the top based on an average of what the low side reading should be.

If you were in my area it wouldn't have cost you $200.00....But then I'm part of the underground economy