Sanden AC Compressor question

[Rich 89 Gr. Wag]

Trying to nail down the AC issue still. I have a Sanden AC compressor and where the hi and low pressure hoses meet the compressor there is a valve for each hose. Dumb question, but here it is, which direction is off? When I tried to turn it in an open position (towards the left) the part I'm turning moves in and not out. Is that correct. Need to get more R134. Already pissed away two cans. First can was lost when I took off the hose from the connector and didn't shut off the valve on the hose on the can. Last night I lost another can when the Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley plastic hose adapter from the $33 kit broke and I couldn't tighten it on to the R134 can. Lesson here is don't buy the cheap crap. I'll get a new hose with a metal fitting this time.

[joe]

Those are some dyslexic engineers idea of how valves should work...the the valves work backasswards. Left is closed and right is open. :(

[Rich 89 Gr. Wag]

Joe,

Are you saying that the valves do work backwards and that turning the valve to the left (counter clockwise opens it).

Reason I ask is that maybe the Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley valve was already open. Thanks to anyone in advance that can clear this up for me.

[TexasJ10]

With a schrader valve it is really a matter of what it is you are tryng to turn on or off. The great thing about them is you can isolate the entire system from the compressor, which allows you to remove the compressor without discharging the whole system.

If you turn the valve clockwise all the way you will block the opening between the compressor and the hose, and open the passage between the compressor and the service port.

If you turn the valve counter clockwise all the way, you shut off the service port and open the passage between the compressor and the hose. This is the normally "open" position that it should have been in when you started.

To add refrigerant, you need to turn the valve clockwise HALFWAY between the two extremes to the mid position. This leaves a path open between the service port, the compressor, and the hose.

[ August 07, 2003, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: TexasJ10 ]

[Rich 89 Gr. Wag]

Tex,

Thanks a bunch. I was hoping to get a perfect answer like that which answered my question 100%. You're a man amongst (Jeep) men. Thanks again.