Refrigerant Line Fittings
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Use only a plastic or nonmetallic tool for removing O-ring seals and gasket seals from the refrigerant line fittings. Use of a metallic tool will create scratches on the sealing surface of the fitting that can result in refrigerant system leaks.
Whenever a refrigerant line fitting is disconnected, the fitting must be cleaned of any foreign material and new O-ring seals and/or gasket seals must be installed. Use only the O-ring seals and gasket seals specified in the Ford Catalog Advantage™ or equivalent.
If a refrigerant system line fitting must remain disconnected for an extended period of time, it should be capped to avoid contamination of the refrigerant system.