Spring Lock Coupling: Cleaning
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Mercury Mariner and 2007 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Fabricate a cleaning tool from a 1/8-inch diameter brazing rod.
- Cut an abrasive pad with the dimensions corresponding to the coupling size.
Coupling Size Pad Size 3/8 in 25 x 50 mm (1 x 2 in) 1/2 in 25 x 50 mm (1 x 2 in) 5/8 in 25 x 76 mm (1 x 3 in) 3/4 in 25 x 102 mm (1 x 4 in) - Assemble the pad to the tool.
- Coat the abrasive pad with PAG oil.
- Roll the pad on the tool and install it in a variable speed drill motor.
- Polish for one minute at moderate speed (less than 1,500 RPM) or until the surface is clean and free of scratches or foreign material.
- Clean the fitting with a lint-free cloth.
- Inspect the surface for grooves or scratches. If grooves and scratches are still present, install a new component.
- Clean the O-ring seal grooves with a 30 cm (1 ft) length of natural fiber string.
- Loop the string around the grooves and pull the string back and forth.
- Remove any foreign material from the grooves with a lint-free cloth.
CAUTION:
Maintain low speed drill rotation when inserting or removing the cleaning tool to prevent axial scratches which may cause future leaks.