Charging A/c

[pwrusr]

Originally posted by NutBucket
Check the sticker; in our cars is 2-2.2 lbs so that's about 33oz.

Thanks for the info dw3d

[Adam91AccordLX]

I did do all that the engine and a/c was on, but when I put my A/c on I dont hear it kick in.

[pwrusr]

Originally posted by Adam91AccordLX
I did do all that the engine and a/c was on, but when I put my A/c on I dont hear it kick in.

next step would be checking all the fuses.

[Importkitz]

I went through all this when I did my H22 swap into my first auto Accord. I am about to go through it again with my first manual swap.

Here are some facts.

R12 is colder that R134a. The reason R134a is cold in the newer car systems is that their condensor and compressors are made for R134a. Don't be surprised if it isn't as cold as someone who has R12. (Please do not compare a freshly charged R134a system to an R12 system that hasn't been freshly charged.)

R12 molecules are larger than R134a and R134a has higher compression. Our system is not made to efficiently use R134a like the newer car's A/C system. What this means is that even a small leak can be bad and the higher compression will force out more R134a molecules.

R12 isn't produced in the United States anymore so prices for R12 is more expensive. You can not buy R12 without a license. Mechanic shops and Dealer shops have licenses. Current, they pay about $20 per lb. They will probably charge you about $40-$60 per lb. Our cars need 2.0-2.2 lbs when you are recharging. If your system is dry, without any freon, it needs about 3 lbs. R134a is available over the counter. You don't need a special license to purchase it. Don't forget to get the freon oil to keep your compressor running good.

When I had my first swap, I had to get my A/C lines made to fit the Prelude's Compressor. I kept R12 because it was colder than R134a.

There are pro's and con's to both systems. Do your homework before adventuring out into the unknown.

[Importkitz]

I almost forgot...

When recharging your freon, you must have the engine running and the A/C on. If your A/C doesnt come on, your system will not take in the new freon.

If your A/C light doesnt come on, it might mean a bad fuse or the switch wire to your A/C compressor might be disconnected or burned out. It has nothing to do with the amount of freon in your system. You have to fix that first before trying to recharge your system.

The correct place to recharge your system is the low pressure side which is conviently sitting behind the radiator fan.

Good luck!

[Importkitz]

Ohhh! Did I mention that R12 Freon destroys our O-zone layer. Yep! Thats why they switched cars to R134a Coolant.

[gregph]

well i am trying to recharge my ac with r134a. i have a 93 accord SE. i am not a newb to recharging a/c's. but i have only recharged them on chevrolets and fords. well it is time to do mine, but of course its foreign, so i am a little lost to where to hook up the r134a. i know its right behind the radiator fan, but i don't know if it is the high or low valve. the valve i see has a white cap, with no H or L on it. is this the right one?? a pic would help me out tremendously!!

also, do i need an adapter to do this? i thought i read some where that this r134a you get from walmart won't fit onto the valve on 93 accords (too small). thanks for any help!

[Importkitz]

Make sure you evacuate all of your R12 freon before introducing R134a into your A/C system.

It's a valve with a black cap and it is connected to what looks like an aluminum bottle.

You will need the adapter. The one that comes with the kit should work. Go to Auto Zone or a car parts store and ask them if they have an adapter that fits your car.

[gregph]

thanks for your help! just one thing...does it have to be a black cap? the only "aluminum bottle" i saw had a white cap.. i will be sure to look again when i get off work today though. thanks for your info!

[Adam91AccordLX]

Well I checked my fuse and it was ok is there anything else I can check to see if something small can make my AC work?

[Importkitz]

Originally posted by gregph
thanks for your help! just one thing...does it have to be a black cap? the only "aluminum bottle" i saw had a white cap.. i will be sure to look again when i get off work today though. thanks for your info!

Originally it should be black...but sometimes people lose their black caps and replace it with whats around.

[Importkitz]

Originally posted by Adam91AccordLX
Well I checked my fuse and it was ok is there anything else I can check to see if something small can make my AC work?

Check the power line going to your A/C compressor. That wire may have shorted out.