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1995 FD aircon - Schrader or JR4 valve core?

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Old 08-16-21, 05:20 PM
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1995 FD aircon - Schrader or JR4 valve core?

I seem to have a very small leak of refrigerant from the low side fill port valve, I can get a tool that allows valve replacement without discharging the system but I need to know what valve style the FD uses - "Standard" (Schrader) or "JR4". JR4 is a slightly larger size valve. Anybody happen to know which one is used for a 134a system? I can buy a tool that does both but it would be nice to know in advance and save a few $$.
Old 08-17-21, 08:25 AM
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Unfortunately I doubt you can find this out, I know the ins and outs of the FD's AC pretty well and I've NEVER seen this info anywhere. I could be wrong though!

But if you do find out post it up! I'm also interested in the tool you found to swap the schrader valve.

Dale
Old 08-17-21, 12:59 PM
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My 1995 had an R134a system (don't have the car anymore). I topped off the refrigerant with one of those auto part store cans that has a low side pressure gauge. I assume it's a standard fitting then.
Old 08-17-21, 02:47 PM
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The more I look at it, I think the valve used is the standard Schrader version, not JR4.

This tool is supposed to allow removal and replacement of the valve without discharge of gas:
Tool.. Tool..
There is one that does both styles of valve for about $30 more, that may be the better option for futureproofing.

I was really happy to learn that this kind of tool even exists, the last thing I want to have to do is discharge and open my car's AC system to the atmosphere just to fix an micro leak...as I understand it, my car has one of the not-available receiver dryer designs...
Old 08-17-21, 06:31 PM
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My March 1992 R1 FD had the MANA AC. I replaced the two stock R12 ports with the R134 ports conversion kit sold at AutoZone a few years ago.
This was done when I converted from R12 to a 12/134 replacement gas. The two valves are small.
I am currently having a custom condenser coil installed along with the later design R134 drier.
The lines for the drier are from a 1996 Mazda Protege. Visual site port line also has a built in port. It uses a large valve.
See picture.


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Old 08-31-21, 10:44 AM
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To follow up on this: Using the Mastercool extraction tool, I was able to replace both high and low side valve cores. They were the "standard" Schrader valve core (the valve on the bottom of the photo posted by @cewRX7r1. I also checked my wife's 2011 Saab and the cores in that car were also slightly leaking, in this case the low side a standard and the high side one was a JRA. Again, the tool worked great, changing the cores took less than 5 min on the Saab (longer on the FD as a couple hoses need to be removed to clear the high side port area.

If you have this issue, the Mastercool tool is a lifesaver, virtually no loss of refrigerant (just what filled into the tool), and more importantly, no need for a visit to an AC shop. Already has paid for itself x3 for me.
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