AC not cold

[goodybear]

My ac does not blow cold. I want to re-charge it but don't know if my ac is r12 or r13. Can somebody tell me or show me how to identify r12 and r13?. Here's the pic of the knob on my car.

[HardInThePaint]

Its most likely r-12 unless somebody converted it to r-134a. Usually there is a sticker of some type somewhere visible stating that the car has been converted tho (unless somebody converted it themselves and didn't bother). My guess would be r-12.

[Venom8702]

Early models of the honda's have r-12 for the ac.
which now is almost impossible to get and also extremely expesive.
Just go to autozone or advance auto and get a r134 retro kit.
but before you do that look on your engine bay for a retro sticker.
it should be on the passenger side of the engine bay
it might of already had the retro done.
Gl bro

[wherm]

there should be a sticker on the core support or underside of the hood telling you what kind of refrigerant to use and how much. It is definately R12, I know that for a fact. However, like already mentioned, make sure it hasn't been retrofitted for R134a already. It's best to have a shop do the work for you so that your system is vaccumed out properly and the right amount of refrigerant is added. They can also inject a dye that will show where any potential leaks are located.

[91hondaaccordex]

Well if you don't know what it is you have to vacuum it out & start fresh. Most likely its R- 12 though. Go to a auto store that sells recharge kits, the recharge kit comes with a hose with a meter on it, two cans of freon. Take the hose with meter on it & screw it on the a/c line & see where the needle lands..if it saids it need a recharge then there's no freon in a/c line but do everything while the a/c is on full blast. If there is some in there vacuum it out..to cheap to vacuum it out your not suppose to but use a needle or pen & push the stick down to release any old freon then recharge it.

[90cb7owner]

It's most likey r12...you need to convert to the r134 because the r12 has been banned because they say its harmful to the environment..it's not too pricy to convert over but thats your best shot..do tyhe conversion get it charged and you'll be right as rain bro

[JDMDriver]

Well if you don't know what it is you have to vacuum it out & start fresh. Most likely its R- 12 though. Go to a auto store that sells recharge kits, the recharge kit comes with a hose with a meter on it, two cans of freon. Take the hose with meter on it & screw it on the a/c line & see where the needle lands..if it saids it need a recharge then there's no freon in a/c line but do everything while the a/c is on full blast. If there is some in there vacuum it out..to cheap to vacuum it out your not suppose to but use a needle or pen & push the stick down to release any old freon then recharge it.

Dont know about you but it is environmentally disastrous releasing freon in the atmosphere.

Hence the large depletion of ozone layers in the atmosphere (still even after years or decades of preventing the release and limiting control of production of such gases).

In Australia we have one of the largest ozone depleted holes in the atmosphere. Hence venting of CFC's and R12's is considered illegal.

Im sure the states have similar laws protecting the ozone layer hence the phasing out of the R12 gas.

My advise is at least pay for the recovery of the R12 since your already saving in the recharge.

It is difficult to be caught in the act of venting R12 but bear in mind just 1 molecule of R12 destroys millions of Ozone molecules which takes decades to be naturally replaced. Your one action will take years if not decades to undo. If it wasn't so vitally important they would not have issued the R12 be phased out.

Im no greenie fanatic but just consider that.

[Juice21]

and if he gets caught doing it he will be fined out the ass n jail time.

[93accordfreak]

Ok, lets add a little light to the blindness in this thread.

Your car has an R134a low side fitting. R12 fittings are tiny and threaded, each the same size.
In a 134a system, you have a smaller low side (low pressure side) fitting and a larger high side (high pressure side) fitting, each of them being quick-connect style pieces.

With that being said, you should already have a r134a charge in the system guessing by your fittings. Is your AC blowing cooler than the outside temperature? If so, then you probabaly just need a recharge.

Purchase a can with a re-useable gauge hose. Cool down your AC condenser (the radiator in front of your radiator) with a water hose. You should end up around 40-50 psi on the low side, with the AC condenser cool. My system took TWO 12 oz cans to charge, accomodating for the 80% refrigerant/condenser efficiency. Ambient air temp was around 88F, but cooling the condenser with water should negate any ambient temperature pressure effects.

A typical R12 system should be charged with 80% capacity of r134a, because the condenser cannot properly cool it. Modern cars have 20-30% larger condensers for their R134a systems, which is why they cool so well.

Vacuuming the system is used to remove air and moisture from the system, such as in an instance whel lines are broken open, so that the system is only filled with refrigerant and oil. If your system HAS NOT been opened, you shouldn't need it vacuumed down.



FINAL TIP:
Please, start the car first and turn on your AC before connecting the low pressure line. With the compressor disengaged and idle, the pressure throughout the system will be closer to 100 psi. If you turn on your AC, you are only dealing with 40-50 (or less if low on charge) and it's easier and safer to connect your fitting to the low side.
HOWEVER, the high pressure line will climb from that 100-ish psi mark also, so if you are using a full gauge set, connecting with the car off is the safest.

Always support the aluminum line with your finger from the back side when connecting the hose, don't just push it on. Support the line with one hand, connect the hose with the other, whenever possible.





Hope this helps your venture, get cool!

[JDMDriver]

Another cause of your air con not feeling cold could be due to malfuctioning heater controls.

It is not uncommon for our CB7 Accords to have worn out heater controls that do not fully close.

This malfuction causes some traces of heat to enter the system counter acting the cold air con cooled air (negating some of the coldness)

Some have cable problems that no longer fully slide to close the heater valve, or a stiff heater valve.

You can tell if your unable to completely close your heater by the control knob deflecting back from maximum cold setting. Feel for some traces of heat when the setting is in cold (with the air con off).

[Tippey764]

to cheap to vacuum it out your not suppose to but use a needle or pen & push the stick down to release any old freon then recharge it.

If you release freon out into the atmosphere i will personally come to your house and kick you in the balls.