System Visual Inspection

It is often possible to detect problem causes by a careful visual inspection of the A/C refrigerant system. This includes broken belts, obstructed condenser air passages, excessive clutch air gap, loose or broken mounting brackets, disconnected or broken wires and refrigerant leaks.

A refrigerant leak will usually appear as an oily residue at the leakage point in the system. The oily residue soon picks up dust or dirt particles from the surrounding air and appears greasy. Through time, this will build up and appear to be a heavy, dirt-impregnated grease.

Most common leaks are caused by damaged or missing O-ring seals at the various hose and component connections. When these O-rings are replaced, the new O-rings should be lubricated with clean refrigerant oil or silicone. Care should be taken to keep lint from shop towels or cloths from contaminating the internal surfaces of the connection. Leakage may occur at a spring lock coupling if the wrong O-rings are used in the coupling. Use only the green O-rings listed in the Ford Master Parts Catalog for the spring lock coupling.

Another type of leak may appear at the internal Schrader-type A/C charging valve core in the service gauge port valve fittings. If tightening the valve core does not stop the leak, it should be replaced with a new A/C Charging Valve Core, basic Part No. 19D701 or equivalent.

 CAUTION: Service gauge port valve cap must be installed finger-tight. If tightened with pliers, the sealing surface of the service gauge port valve may be damaged.

Missing Service Gauge Port Valve Caps, basic Part No. 19D702 or equivalent can also allow refrigerant to leak from the system. service hose is attached, the valve depressor in the end of the service hose forces the dirt into the valve seat area and the dirt will destroy the sealing surface of the A/C charging valve core. When a service gauge port valve cap is missing, the protected area of the A/C charging valve core should be cleaned and a new Service Gauge Port Valve Cap, basic Part No. 19D702 or equivalent should be installed.