My AC hasnt been working right since last summer. I recharged it and it still wasnt working up to snuff. I realized this as the summer was coming to an end, so i forgot about it until this year. I turned the AC on and let it run for a while, then took a look at the schrader valve, and its leaking. any ideas of how to fix it or if it is the cause of why my AC isnt working?

 

"I recharged it and it still wasn't working up to snuff." Then perhaps the problem was not loss of refrigerant in the first place, it could even be overcharged now.

About leaky shrader valves, the plastic cap is designed to hold refrigerant in even if the shrader valve leaks a little (most of them do). So put plastic caps on the ports if you don't have them already; make sure the rubber gaskets in the caps are in good condition. Then if you're losing refrigerant, consider that there may be a leak somewhere else. Do not under any circumstances use a "leak stop" product. It just doesn't work, and will cause severe problems.

 

okay. i used the R134A recharge kit(that came with a gauge), and its reading that its pretty much empty? now what?