BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Keith Duner on August 17, 2014, 01:16:56 PM
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I did a search using dash A/C and Monterey and found the question, but not the answer. Does anyone know where I might find the dash a/c charge port on a 2005 Monterey? Thanks in advance.
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On our '04 it is above the generator. You have to extend the genset to find it.
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Keith,
Monaco and SMC were no very concerned about coach owner access to the A/C service ports (charge ports). The vast majority of coaches have the factory service ports located under the front cap, close to the evaporator core. If you have a front mounted generator, they will usually be above the generator towards the driver's side of center. There are a lot of A/C shops that will install an extra set of service ports at the compressor for ease of recharging the system when extensive repairs are made.
However, there were a few coaches like some of the California 40s that SMC actually installed service ports at the compressor. On some rear radiator coaches the service ports were installed inline just before the lines leave the engine area, and the valves can only be reached from under the coach. So if you do not know the location of your A/C service valves, it will require some searching, but if they are not at the compressor, start looking by the evaporator core under the front cap.
Gerald
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On our 2005 Monterey, just above the compressor on the engine. They're covered by a number of hoses, so you have to spread them around a bit, or feel in between them. They are not in the front cap.
Stan
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Stan,
The service ports at your compressor were probably an aftermarket addition, but Monaco did install a few at the compressor. You probably have a set under the front cap also, but they can be very difficult to locate, and that is the reason that some A/C shops install an extra set at the compressor.
Gerald
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Before submitting my post I did an extensive search inside the front cap with the generator extended and never found anything. If it turns out that they are in fact there, I'll have to hire a pigmy contortionist to do the job because this old carcass can't get any deeper into the front cap.
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Keith,
A pigmy probably can not reach them. You need someone between 5' 6" and 6 foot, but the thing that gives us old people a problem is that he needs to weigh about 100 pounds and be very flexible. Remember that Monaco installed the dash A/C system completely before installing the front cap, so they had no problem with accessibility.
Automobile manufacturers are no better. In my other life as an auto mechanic at a new car dealer, there was one model car that you had to remove the engine to replace a rubber A/C hose. Owners were very unhappy when they were told that it was $3,000 labor to replace a $100 hose.
Gerald
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Gerald: I think I fail both tests, I'm about twice 100 lbs and not at all flexible. I'll take one more look tomorrow before giving up the ghost. I sympathize with your experience with automobile manufactures. Heavy truck OEMs were just as bad. I've seen applications where the entire cab had to be removed to access the transmission. As a young pup truck mechanic I worked on a fire truck (City of Chicago's first high rise ladder truck). It took an honest 19 hours labor just to remove the transmission (that's just R... not R and R). Needless to say Allison was a bit miffed at the OEM over their goofy installation.
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Keith,
I'm experiencing the same problem with my 2003 Patriot Thunder. I've had it to 2 dealers so far and both said they either didn't want to take on the challenge or don't have anyone that will fit in the confined space. Gerald is right about the location of the charge ports you just have to keep looking. I finally resorted to sticking a camera above the generator and found the low pressure port that way. I've resigned myself to taking my coach to a Monaco dealer to see if they can fix my dash air. I'm headed to Indiana so if anyone can recommend a good dealer or repair facility in Indiana I'd appreciate the info. Also, if anyone is aware of any retrofit kits for the charge ports and expansion valve I'd be very interested in that information.
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I have the same issue on my 05 Patriot Thunder and haven't been able to locate the recharge ports so have been running the Genset and roof airs during particularly hot days driving which works better than the dash air at the best of times. Burns a bit of extra diesel of course but is a work around until I can find the ports.
Just a thought,
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Thanks for the camera idea, I'll try that Jerald. Dwight, I'll have to do the same on our next trip. Hopefully the weather will be cooler after Labor day.
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Recharge ports are on the compressor. The ac drier is under front cap right of generator. I have replaced my ac condenser with a larger one designed for fire trucks and ambulance with 2 electric fans. . Having the ac recharged on the 27th of August. Will post picture when it is being charged. 05 Monterey.
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My recharge ports are readily accessible, directly attached to the compressor. Unfortunately a system charge in the spring only lasted 3 days. Now I assume I'll be trying to locate a leak.
Squeezing a small camera around the sides and top of the generator produced photos of little value.
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Check the condenser mounted on the air charge cooler if you have side radiator. Any signs of oil residue could be the leak. A rock nicked my condenser. Also if the electric fan brackets come loose it will wear a hole in the condenser. Check that first.
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Before submitting my post I did an extensive search inside the front cap with the generator extended and never found anything. If it turns out that they are in fact there, I'll have to hire a pigmy contortionist to do the job because this old carcass can't get any deeper into the front cap.
I bought the most expensive consumer charge kit at Autozone because it had a longer hose than the rest. It is called the "Interdynamics (ACP-100 PRO) Professional"
The hose is long enough that I can attach it to the fill port by feel and stand upright at the genset to do the work.
This is it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-ACP-100-Professional-Conditioning-Refrigerant/dp/B007USCM7E/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1408373621&sr=1-2
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I'd be cautious about that particular model, Bill. I read some of the reviews on Amazon after checking your link. The guage apparently has questionable accuracy and the "leak stop" chemistry can befoul things the next time the system undergoes repairs requiring exposure to air.
Joel
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Joel-
Which product do you recommend and what pressure should I be filling to, if that's even the correct terminology ?
Thanks
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Matthew,
First if you have a manual for your chassis it will tell you how many pounds to,fill the system. Mine calls for 3 pounds of freon.
Next, DO NOT TRUST THE GUAGE ON YOUR CAN! It is designed for automobiles and such, not 40 foot motorhomes with the long hoses.
I have used the stop leak I purchased at Walmart for about $27. If you have another failure simply flush the system.
At your point I would take to a dealer or a a/c garage and have them put on a machine so they can do a vacuum test to see how bad your leak is and maybe where. They can also put the proper amount of freon in your system.
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Check the condenser mounted on the air charge cooler if you have side radiator. Any signs of oil residue could be the leak. A rock nicked my condenser. Also if the electric fan brackets come loose it will wear a hole in the condenser. Check that first.
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Matthew, I have no personal experience with these devices and am in no position to advise you. I was only pointing out to Bill that many of the reviews of his purchased unit weren't encouraging. My lack of experience in the area of AC recharging, and now having read those reviews and other Beaver's thoughts, leads me to prefer letting a pro do it, if it were my rig.
Joel
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Matthew,
The correct pressure readings are difficult if not impossible to give you because there are so many variables that will influence the pressure readings like location of charging ports, ambient temperature, and heat load from the evaporator core. Without knowing all of these, I can not give you the correct pressures.
If you want to add refrigerant to your dash air system, just add one can (12 ounces) and see how it cools. If it cools fair but not great after one 12 ounce can, add another, but if you need more than two cans the system probably needs a professional to look at it.
Gerald
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Well I took one more run at looking in the front cap with no luck (I should be able to walk again soon...). Then I went back to the engine bay and low and behold there it was, right on top of the compressor like Stan and some others has mentioned. Hiding behind some wires. Thanks to everyone for the help, this forum is worth it's weight in gold!