Charging port, valve core replacement while system pessurised

[lawns]

Hi all, I have a leak from my high charging port shrader core and have found the following tool on many UK ebay sellers that claim you can change it while the system is charged.
[attachment=0]R134a coupler valve core remover installer.jpg[/attachment]
Has anyone used these on French made cars as the only reviews I can find show American made cars which I believe use a different size valve core.

[RichardW]

I have changed the low side valve core on my 3008 using one of these. Not sure about the high side, you would probably need to get the core out to see what size / shape it is so that could order the right one. Trouble I had was that the tool wouldn't pick up the core once it was unscrewed - I got round this by putting a small piece of thick tape on the end of the tool and poking a small hole in it - this was just enough to get hold of the centre part of the core and allow it to be lifted out. You will need to check that there is enough access to the valve to get the tool on! I only did it as I had a tin of gas - for a R134a fill up with valve change the costs shouldn't be exorbitant at a garage.

[lawns]

Hello RichardW,
Thank you for your quick reply, I thought I would be lucky to get a reply from anyone that had used this tool let alone on a 3008.
As you highlighted, my concern was that these China made tools would need modification to recover Euro type valve cores but you have given me the confidence to give it a go.
If other members would confirm that high and low valve cores are the same size your information should work for both.
If you or other members would have time to elaborate on the modification required thank you in advance.
I am looking at this DIY option as UK fast fit type recovery and recharge cost are about £65 but they will not change anything on the A/C system. Specialist A/C who will rightly want to do a nitrogen leak check to cover themselves £130+ to change a £5 valve core.

[lawns]

Hi all, long time since I put the original post on the forum and this is a bit of a follow up with some answers. The tool did not fit the larger European valve core and I ended up having to reseat it by a quick push and release of the valve stem, my error was not having a cloth to collect the fluid that shot out.
Move forward two years and now I had a leak from my condenser and as the system was empty I would take out and replace the valve cores. First problem again was to find a tool that said it fitted the larger European valve for removal, could not find one so ended up with a Laser 8310 kit that would cover all. Needles to say it did not work on the larger valve so had to reduce the outer diameter of what they call the PSA/Volvo bit by 1mm. Another problem with the kit is that the R12 bit for the smaller standard valve core needs drilling down the bore hole to clear the vale stem.

[attachment=1]DSC05018.JPG[/attachment]

I found the valves high torque to brake the stick so the kit was good for that, as had a thumb wheel or 1/4 drive head. At last I had them out now and the larger valve looks to be a Schrader Pacific 8mm X 6g European 21.5mm long, and the smaller a standard 5.1 long 0.210-36 valve. No one seems to stock these in the UK. So ended up finding these on the internet from a few UK Air Con suppliers that look the same;

[attachment=0]DSC05017.JPG[/attachment]