New to me 1999 2.5 3.5L - Questions on ATF procedure, missing belt, AC etc?

[parobellum]

This is my new 1999 w/ winter package. Car is running great, 178K miles, timing belt done 8 months ago, still trying to understand what else was done then. Crazy nice exterior and interior, 4 different tires which I am remedying today with a set of 33x10.5 BFG AT KOs.

I am not totally incapable of performing car maintenance, mostly on some older classics (basic stuff), but I would still consider myself a total newbie. I have read numerous threads and decided to tackle oil and atf change and then see if my AC system can work.



Here are my questions

So I pulled the post on ATF changing procedure and I want to make sure I get this right.

I think I have the atf cooler right in this photo - but I am not sure from the diagram where hose #2 is, and it appears like I have two inlet/outlets with nothing attached - always an interesting find.

1. Where is the drain hose that I pull, and do I need something on those outlets?




2. Is this the ATF sump drain plug?



3. Should these have belts?




4. Just to confirm, this is the oil drain right?


5. Finally, the AC does not appear to have the refrigerant window - I am not sure how to tell if the ac is operational enough that I should try to put r134 into it?

 

[mapper]

1&2) don't know, haven't messed with my trans fluid yet.

3) Looks like there is a belt there? By the way, your alternator is coated in oil. This, I believe is generally from leaking camshaft o-rings. My understanding is that it is a relatively straight-forward repair. It is also my understanding that the oil all over the alternator leads to it's demise. I'd suggest trying to fix up that leak

4) yes

5) I'm not sure what a refrigerant window is. If you turn on the A/C do you see/hear the compressor clutch engaging/disengaging? Either way you could grab a can of refrigerant from the auto parts store and attach it to the LOW pressure side of A/C system and see if it helps at all. If you've lost that much refrigerant your system isn't working you should really vacuum the system then recharge but the kits are a good, relatively cheap way to see how quick the refrigerant leaks out. The valve is actually on the compressor on these, so get a kit with a longer hose.

 

[nwoods]

The valve is actually on the compressor on these, so get a kit with a longer hose.

Truth!

This kit by A/C Pro has a long enough hose, and is available at AutoZone pretty inexpensively. Plus, if you need more r134 fluid, any can will fit the nozzle, so by the smaller refill cans in the future and reuse the same nozzle
http://acprocold.com/product/acp-100ca-ac-pro/

They also have a good HowTo section on their website: http://acprocold.com/instruction/acp-100-instructions/
and youtube video: http://youtu.be/Wn0C9jPOAAQ

The port where you fill it is located in the Service Manual, but it's near the batter, down low. It's a screw off cap a bit like a bike tire cap, only a bit larger.
The service manual can be downloaded at http://mitsubishilinks.com/

 

[Jay Ayala]

Near the batter??? What's that? Did you mean to type something else?


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

 

[parobellum]

nwoods - thanks - I actually started another thread on where to fill the AC because I cannot figure it out from the service manual - post july 1997 builds it says use the refrigerant recovery station - I have no idea what that is - I just see this

 

[nwoods]

Near the batter??? What's that? Did you mean to type something else?


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

Lol, near the battery is what I told my iPhone to say, honest!

 

[mapper]

nwoods - thanks - I actually started another thread on where to fill the AC because I cannot figure it out from the service manual - post july 1997 builds it says use the refrigerant recovery station - I have no idea what that is - I just see this

View attachment 247950

Based on the location, compared to my montero, I actually think your picture is showing the High Pressure Port. You need to refill through the Low Pressure Port. Using HPP could be dangerous according to most things I've read and common sense (since it is high pressure vs. low pressure). Be sure to double check. The refil kit you buy should have a connection that only fits on the LPP.

Like I stated before, the low pressure fill port on my Montero was located on the back of the compressor itself. The compressor is the A/C component, located near (just below and to the side) the battery. it is run by a belt.

 

[parobellum]

Thanks so much. Could anyone help me on the ATF questions?