A/C Recharge?

[Mangudai]

A slightly loaded question. First I'd like to know how to tell if my compressor is dying, second I wanted to know if recharging the A/C was something was that is feasible to do yourself or should it rather be left to a shop. When I first got the car it wasn't that bad but it noticeably didn't blow as other cars only fairly. Now that the temperature has warmed up noticeably more the shortcomings on my a/c are more apparent. I drive a 96 if that matters, thanks.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Compressor even turning on? You can buy those freon recharge kits...throw 2 cans in it and see if it works.

[Mangudai]

I assume its turning on as it does draw somewhat cool air inside. It just not as cold as it should be. I'll look into the recharge kits, thanks.

[S14DB]

You can get a cheap pressure tester that looks like a tire checker that you can pick up to test your charge level.

[projectRDM]

If the compressor doesn't come on you'll need to trip the pressure switch in order to recharge it. Otherwise it's a simple process.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Hey Russ, if the compressor isnt turning on because of the low pressure sensor, wouldnt it kick on once you start pumping more freon into the system?

[midnight_rex]

yea if there is no pressure in the system the compressor will not kick on due to the triple pressure switch.

see if u have freon in the system. u might have a leak somewhere.

[Pacman]

Compressor even turning on? You can buy those freon recharge kits...throw 2 cans in it and see if it works.

Don't over charge the system, though. You can cause freezing issues which will cause no cooling as well.

[projectRDM]

Hey Russ, if the compressor isnt turning on because of the low pressure sensor, wouldnt it kick on once you start pumping more freon into the system?

Nope. The compressor has to be on in order for the freon to be pulled in, there's not enough pressure in the can to do that.

[DDDsquad_s13panda]

you can hotwire the two wire on the little aluminum bottle looking thing with the sight glass on top that shows if the freon runs through it..

yeah you can hot wire those two and connect it together, pressure switch. but if your compressor is good, the A/C clutch should engage.... and as far as recharging the A/C. its cake, you just need the kit you can buy at your local autoparts store.

done and done!

[projectRDM]

you can hotwire the two wire on the little aluminum bottle looking thing with the sight glass on top that shows if the freon runs through it..


Hence me saying to trip the pressure switch.

[Mangudai]

Thanks a lot guys. Took a look at the kit at pepboys for $30 I'll be giving it a try this weekend.

[Mangudai]

Another thing..I never really gave it any mind but when I press any of the buttons that change where the air comes out I hear a whirring sound for a few seconds..normal?

[Brodiemans]

yeah that Whirring sound are the vent motors moving to direct the air.


Does anyone know the capacity of the system? how many pounds it takes, im gonna charge my friends car tonight and I cant seem to find it anywhere.

[Tokona-x]

depending on how long the car has been sitting you should drain the system and add oil, then vacuum it down to get all the moisture out then add your rf134 cans it should take 2 some times three depending on the size of the can. if you do it this way your system will be in tip top shape o and remember to check your pressure at least ounce a year .....:squintd:

[Tokona-x]

depending on how long the car has been sitting you should drain the system and add oil, then vacuum it down to get all the moisture out then add your rf134 cans it should take 2 some times three depending on the size of the can. if you do it this way your system will be in tip top shape o and remember to check your pressure at least ounce a year .....:squintd:



most people don't have access to a vac or real gauges but if you do its the best way to make sure your system is in good shape :goyou:

[Brodiemans]

thank you very much, should be around 35 psi correct? I have a gauge, no Vac, but I believe the system was installed, and evacuated, but never charged, it should be safe to just fill the system if this is the case, correct?

[Tokona-x]

thank you very much, should be around 35 psi correct? I have a gauge, no Vac, but I believe the system was installed, and evacuated, but never charged, it should be safe to just fill the system if this is the case, correct?


id have too look at the specs. . . what a meant by gauges is the dual kind that tell you whats going on in the high side and the low side ,the low side is where you will fill the system but the high is the other port you can damage the compressor some times if you over fill . . . and i would vac it down moisture is the leading cause that kills ac systems

[Mangudai]

Just looked through the fsm, apparently the amount for r134a atleast in the '96 is kg (lb) 0.60-0.70 (1.32-1.54). I noticed a gauge on the recharge kit i looked at I can only assuming it measures this.

[Thebeezkneez]

most people don't have access to a vac or real gauges but if you do its the best way to make sure your system is in good shape :goyou:


agreed, i just have a shop do it in my g20 and my 240. I figured its worth the 150 bux. The completely empty it and oil.recharge it. Its the best way imo.

[Bushido]

it's getting hot out, i think i'll try to recharge it myself...

[Tokona-x]

it's getting hot out, i think i'll try to recharge it myself...


go for it man just make sure you oil it and dont over charge o and i would use one of the small oil can not the mixed oil with rf just my two cents ......

[Codrifter]

dont use the recharge kits from any auto part stores do it the right way go to a shop they will hook your car up to a recharge machine that will take all of the gas out from both the high and the low side of the system and they will fill it up with the exact amount that should be in the car and not over charge it. this will not just temporaraly fix the problem. it may be more expensive but in the long run you will be more satisfied. but you do what you want. o and if you use that recharge kit it will contaminate your system and then. when you finally go and get it done right most shop wont touch your car cause it can mess up there machine and if they will there gonna charge you out the ass.

[basicmods]

side question - what year did they start with the r134a stuff and not the good ole r12? i've got a 91 and I'm 91% sure that it has r12 in it. I think it needs charged b/c the air doesn't always work, sometimes kicks on, sometimes doesn't, and when it does kick on it only works for 10-15 mins (less if it's really hot outside) and then stops blowing cold air.

[Tokona-x]

"You can look at the fittings where the refrigerant is installed, R-12 systems have a threaded fitting with black caps while R-134 has a quick connect fitting with a blue cap on the suction side and red cap on the pressure side. But when converted there are quick connect adapters screwed onto the R-12 threaded fittings."




side question - what year did they start with the r134a stuff and not the good ole r12? i've got a 91 and I'm 91% sure that it has r12 in it. I think it needs charged b/c the air doesn't always work, sometimes kicks on, sometimes doesn't, and when it does kick on it only works for 10-15 mins (less if it's really hot outside) and then stops blowing cold air.

[S14DB]

"You can look at the fittings where the refrigerant is installed, R-12 systems have a threaded fitting with black caps while R-134 has a quick connect fitting with a blue cap on the suction side and red cap on the pressure side. But when converted there are quick connect adapters screwed onto the R-12 threaded fittings."
Yeah,
If it looks like Tire valves - R12
Looks like air tool connectors - R134a


Now days it's cheaper to have them vacuum out the R12 and convert the car to 134a then replace the R12. Some places put this R12 replacement shit in. Supposed to be a gas blend that emulates R12. Shit don't work and some is inflammable and will set your car on fire when it bursts your lines.

[s14l0v3r]

side question - what year did they start with the r134a stuff and not the good ole r12? i've got a 91 and I'm 91% sure that it has r12 in it. I think it needs charged b/c the air doesn't always work, sometimes kicks on, sometimes doesn't, and when it does kick on it only works for 10-15 mins (less if it's really hot outside) and then stops blowing cold air.


I'm pretty sure it was in 1995 that they ceased the use of r12. So I'm like 99% sure that you have r12 unless a previous owner retrofitted it(converted it) but you can tell the difference between whats in your a/c system is by the valves. r12 have screw type fittings and r134 have air tool type fittings. but honestly sounds like your either low on refrigerant(which means possibly a leak) or a compressor problem. If you want to get it done the right way jus take it to a shop that works with r12...well if you can find one =/. but dont cross contaminate cuz then no shop will work with it and if you decide to vent the refrigerant dont tell no one cuz its like a $10,000 fine lol.

[S14DB]

I'm pretty sure it was in 1995 that they ceased the use of r12. So I'm like 99% sure that you have r12 unless a previous owner retrofitted it(converted it) but you can tell the difference between whats in your a/c system is by the valves. r12 have screw type fittings and r134 have air tool type fittings. but honestly sounds like your either low on refrigerant(which means possibly a leak) or a compressor problem. If you want to get it done the right way jus take it to a shop that works with r12...well if you can find one =/. but dont cross contaminate cuz then no shop will work with it and if you decide to vent the refrigerant dont tell no one cuz its like a $10,000 fine lol.

R12 was Banned in 1994. Some manufactures started converted over years earlier but, the hard switch was in 1994.