Who uses Valve core removal tools?

[OldSchoolMech]

How many times have you removed the valve core on an AC unit then not been able to get them back in?
What did you do to get them back in?
The reason that I ask is the guy I work with says that getting them back in is hard and they screw up alot. It is better to just not touch them at all. I have alot of exspierence with valve cores cause I was a commercial service tire guy for 5 years before I switched to HVAC. I never came across a valve core that couldn't be fix ( re threaded)
So is it as bad as he says it is? Should I buy a set of CRT and start using them?

[Jpaulsmith]

yellow jacket makes a tool its about 30-40 bucks but it works great for units still under pressure. I thinks its called core-vacuum charge tool.

[SolarMike]

Its always near me somewhere. I put schreaders on every place you would want to take a reading and by the hi and lo pressure switches.

[jim bergmann]

I have been using core tools for years, maybe one or two in 15 years that I could not get back in. The few times I had problems it was actually breaking them when they were removed. The core broke off in the port. I recovered the gas and used an easy out to pull the rest of the core.

The only reason I pull cores is for faster evacuation and faster recovery. Otherwise you are just reading pressure so what would be the point?

Appion core tools are the best I have seen. They are vacuum rated and very well constructed.

[turkey]

Have two yellow jacket and an off brand, love the off brand one much better then the yellow jacket wish I could rember what brand it was. It's nice to able to change out a leaky core instead of just cranking the cap down and hoping it stops anything leaking out.

[hvacvegas]

I use valve core tools if a valve goes bad. I stopped using them to evacuate quicker when I had 2 blow apart, dumping the whole charge.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I use valve core tools for changing valves... Usually I take the valve cores OUT to braze, then put them back in to pull a vacuum. Unfortunately, the valve core removal tools tend to not hold vacuum as well as they could.

If one gets the lineset brazed up as quickly as possible in the bigger picture of a repair or install... there is more time to pull your vacuum. IMO this is a better approach. Oh yeah... If the unit is old... it gets new cores. Costs me about $0.35/ea, I charge $5/each. Easy sell, customers prefer little things that prevent leaks.

[timebuilder]

I have been using core tools for years, maybe one or two in 15 years that I could not get back in. The few times I had problems it was actually breaking them when they were removed. The core broke off in the port. I recovered the gas and used an easy out to pull the rest of the core.

The only reason I pull cores is for faster evacuation and faster recovery. Otherwise you are just reading pressure so what would be the point?

Appion core tools are the best I have seen. They are vacuum rated and very well constructed.


You're right, Jim. The Appion is unbeatable. I think it's the only one not made by C&D....

[jim bergmann]

I use valve core tools if a valve goes bad. I stopped using them to evacuate quicker when I had 2 blow apart, dumping the whole charge.

Some of the valve core tools were not designed for 410A and the core tool would shear off the end when the core was removed due to the higher system pressure. Appion has redesigned the core tool with stainless shaft and a shoulder that makes this impossible to happen anymore.

[hvac wiz 79]

i had one the other day i couldnt get out .... i felt it loosen up but couldnt for the life of me pull it out .... an old carrier HP rtu ... ended up throwing a tee on it .. other than that & a few other times ive never had issues taking them out or putting them back in ..... ive had a few brands & agree appions are best yet ... i just dont like how they get difficult to turn at times .. already had 1 warrantied & received free repair kits but still they get tight

[Glennhvac]

I have had some success replacing a couple leaking valve IF some nitwit didn't crank down the brass valve cap so tight the insides was deformed. I'm not even sure the one I have now will work on most of these newer units. It does not look like there is enough room to use the device.

[mark beiser]

I remove the cores for recovery and evacuation, or if they are leaking.
The only time I have trouble getting them out/in is if the unit has the brass flare type caps, and some jackass cranked them down tight enough to deform the port.

[Willserve]

Valve core tools are a must for leaking schraders. When putting new schrader in don't force it. Everyone once in awhile I get one that won't come out so I close the shut off, remove the plunger and open the shut off. Don't sit behind it because its like a bullet. Of course I quickly shut it off quickly to prevent any freon from escaping. :whistle: