Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

diyman on Wed July 06, 2011 1:39 PM

Year: 1990
Make: Honda
Model: Accord LX
Engine Size: 2.2l
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Pressure Low: 35psi
Pressure High: 35psi
Country of Origin: United States

1990 Honda Accord LX originally equip with R12. I retrofited to R134a using Interdynamic retrofit kit (contains R134a refrigerant with Ester oil, R12 to R134 adapters, and charging hose with guage) several years ago after all old R12 was gone. It cools a couple years. Then, it won't cool even add some more of R134a. The Low and High side reading both are aruond 35 psi when A/C is off. Don't know psi reading when A/C is on. As of now, it only blows cool (not cold) for about 20 minutes every time I turn it on. Since the old compressor is still working and system has some leaks, I would like to re-do it again by changing Expansive Valve, Reciver Drier, drain old oil, replace as much O-rings as I can, and make sure there isn't any leaks before adding R134a refrigerant. However, I need some guidance to go through all these. Below are my steps and questions. Any helps are appreciated and thanks in advance!

1. Have all remaining R134a (and/or some old R12) refrigerant recycled by shop.
2. Change Expansion Valve, Receiver Drier, and O-Rings (as many as I can see).
3. Do I have to flush Evaporator, Condensor, and Compressor? If I have to, what should I use and how to flush them?
4. Can I take Compressor apart and wide off all oil and clean it?
5. Do I have to flush all A/C tubes and hoses? If I have to, what should I use and how to flush them?
6. What kind of oil and grade do I have to use? Ester or PAG? Grade?
7. How much oil do I have to put in each of Compressor, Evaporator, and Condensor? How much total oil supose to be in the system?
8. Put back everything and draw vacuum to test leaks.
9. Add R134a refrigerant (90% of R12, R12 requires 32 to 34 oz).
10. What psi should they be on Low and High sides when A/C is off?
11. What psi should they be on Low and High sides when A/C is fully charged?

bohica2xo on Wed July 06, 2011 6:02 PM

Death kit did it's job.

Now you can do a TSR. About 450 to 500 bucks in parts, then recharge with R12.

Probably could have fixed it before the death kit for a couple hundred bucks.

B.



-------------------------
"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

Peter_Coll on Thu July 07, 2011 9:17 AM

Can you provide the model of the retrofit kit?

mk378 on Thu July 07, 2011 9:54 AM

An earlier version of this:

Site with lots of products that noone should buy

The older version came with 3 cans of plain R-134a and the magic "retrofit oil" in a separate can.

Edited: Thu July 07, 2011 at 9:57 AM by mk378

diyman on Thu July 07, 2011 1:43 PM

Product ID 323 on mk378's link is the exactly item I bought. Whever done is done and I want to do it correctly this time. Can anyone give me your suggestions to my questions? Thanks!

diyman on Thu July 07, 2011 1:43 PM

Product ID 323 on mk378's link is the exactly item I bought. Whever done is done and I want to do it correctly this time. Can anyone give me your suggestions to my questions? Thanks!

bohica2xo on Thu July 07, 2011 6:42 PM

1. Have all remaining R134a (and/or some old R12) refrigerant recycled by shop.

Ok, sounds good. Since it has a leak, it may be at atmospheric by now - 35psi is pretty much empty anyway.

2. Change Expansion Valve, Receiver Drier, and O-Rings (as many as I can see).

Change all of the O rings. The receiver & TXV are part of a TSR anyway.

3. Do I have to flush Evaporator, Condensor, and Compressor? If I have to, what should I use and how to flush them?

No flushing is required. they go right in the trash as-is.

4. Can I take Compressor apart and wide off all oil and clean it?

You can do anything you like with it, they make a good doorstop if it is windy where you live.

5. Do I have to flush all A/C tubes and hoses? If I have to, what should I use and how to flush them?

Yes, the tubes & hoses need to be clean. Dry. No oil or debris. Hard lines are generally reusable. Hoses with cans or mufflers in-line go in the trash. a mild solvent like paint thinner maybe used to clean the lines, but you must make sure all of the solvent is removed before reassembly

6. What kind of oil and grade do I have to use? Ester or PAG? Grade?

Everybody here seems to like the BVA100 ester oil. It is compatible with R12. Or you can use mineral oil.

7. How much oil do I have to put in each of Compressor, Evaporator, and Condensor? How much total oil supose to be in the system?

Chart will give you a total oil quantity. Pour some in the compressor inlet, and the balance in the dryer. Turn the compressor shaft by hand a few turns after you close the system up. Be sure to drain the new compressor before you begin. It may have been shipped with some oil in the unit of unknown type & viscosity.

8. Put back everything and draw vacuum to test leaks.

Yep. If you did not use an oil with dye added, I would add dye before closing it up for vacuum.

9. Add R134a refrigerant (90% of R12, R12 requires 32 to 34 oz).

Add R12 if you want OEM performance. If you use an undercharge of 134a, you risk starving the compressor for oil.

10. What psi should they be on Low and High sides when A/C is off?

That depends entirely on the ambient temperature.

11. What psi should they be on Low and High sides when A/C is fully charged?

Again, that can vary quite a bit depending on ambient temperatures, humidity, fan speed, engine speed...


Your system is shot. That serpentine condensor is the primary filter for the system. The entire system is old enough to vote. The addition of 134a to an R12 system quite often results in a burst dessicant bag - and the spreading of the dessicant through the system. I would not re-use much of that system. The evaportor maybe ok, but since you will have it out to replace the TXV a replacement is the best choice.

Honda cars of that vintage do not convert well. The preformance is sub-par, and pressures run high. It is best to keep it R12. there is plenty of R12 available, and that car does not hold much.

-------------------------
"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

diyman on Fri July 08, 2011 12:56 PM

Thanks for your replied and suggestions!