International 886 air conditioning valve

[RonaldK]

I need to recharge my air conditoning. I have the original set up with a new compressor. I know that I need to uncap a valve and turn the valve stem a bit in order to add refrigerant. I can't unstick the valve. I don't want to break it and not sure what to do. I have unscrewed the nut that holds the valve in place and tried some pb blaster to loosen the valve. I am not having any luck. Any suggestions? Also what is that valve called and where can I find one? It looks simple to replace it. I suspect that I will lose all of any coolant left, but that seems worth it.

 

[used red MN]

I need to recharge my air conditoning. I have the original set up with a new compressor. I know that I need to uncap a valve and turn the valve stem a bit in order to add refrigerant. I can't unstick the valve. I don't want to break it and not sure what to do. I have unscrewed the nut that holds the valve in place and tried some pb blaster to loosen the valve. I am not having any luck. Any suggestions? Also what is that valve called and where can I find one? It looks simple to replace it. I suspect that I will lose all of any coolant left, but that seems worth it.

If the valves are untouched from the normal operating position you will be turning it clockwise. Turned full in clockwise seals the port to the compressor connection. This seals the refrigerant in the system while you swap the compressor. This will only work if you have positive sealing service caps tightened in place on the service ports. When the valve stem is turned to its limit counter-clockwise it closes the gauge service ports and the flow from the compressor to the hose is open that is the normal operating position. From that point turning the stem in clockwise (as I said at the opening of my reply) about a turn opens the service port. Here is a link to an explanation on a Ford car. Tecumseh/York A/C service valves

 

[RonaldK]

Thanks. The port is covered and I am trying to turn the valve clockwise. Over the years, the valve stem end has rounded a bit and I can’t get a wrench on it I have tried a vise grip and applied some pressure, but no luck. I don’t want to break the valve stem unless I can get a replacement.

 

[used red MN]

The port is covered

The reason I mentioned the service port needs covered is to hold the refrigerant in. Nothing to do with allowing them to turn.

This seals the refrigerant in the system while you swap the compressor. This will only work if you have positive sealing service caps tightened in place on the service ports.

If you web search using the title I used for the link replacement valves will show up.

 

[Brendon-KS]

A wrench could round off the flats on the valve. I use a 1/4 drive, 7/16" socket in reverse since the square on the valve is 1/4 inch. Take a short quarter inch bolt and bottom out a nut on it. Then you can use a wrench on the bolt/nut assembly which then drives the "backwards" socket. Since you're turning clockwise the nut won't unscrew from the bolt. (A quarter drive, half inch socket and 5/16" bolt and nut would work too, of course.) Sometimes the valves can be quite tight.

 

[RonaldK]

A wrench could round off the flats on the valve. I use a 1/4 drive, 7/16" socket in reverse since the square on the valve is 1/4 inch. Take a short quarter inch bolt and bottom out a nut on it. Then you can use a wrench on the bolt/nut assembly which then drives the "backwards" socket. Since you're turning clockwise the nut won't unscrew from the bolt. (A quarter drive, half inch socket and 5/16" bolt and nut would work too, of course.) Sometimes the valves can be quite tight.

Thanks for the suggestion. I got brave and after spraying some valve with pb blaster, I put a vise grip on the shaft and it loosened up.