Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

fab5454 on Fri July 24, 2015 8:03 AM

Year: 1997
Make: Honda
Model: Civic LX Sedan
Engine Size: 1.6L L4
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Ambient Temp: 80
Pressure Low: 90
Pressure High: 175

Help! I have a 1997 Honda Civic LX that had a leaking condensor (verified with dye). I put in a new condensor, pulled a vacuum which held, indicating no leaks. I opened the system and poured 5 ounces of PAG 46 oil in the high side condensor opening. Closed up the system. Pulled another vacuum. Put in 23 ounces of R134a. System ran great for a week and then went warm. Apparently the compressor is stalling. You can see the belt and compressor stop every few seconds. The compressor was not shut off via the low pressure switch so that indicated the system had pressure. I put the gages on and the low side pressure was around 75-100 psi. The high side was around 175psi. I need to check the pressures again for the exact number. When the compressor starts the low side pressure starts to drop, but then the compressor stalls. Sometimes there is a noise behind the glove box like a whistle or mouse or something. I've read a lot of theories but not sure what to believe. Expansion valve? (plugged or open) Evaporator? (plugged) Dryer? I don't think it's the compressor...........

Anyone have ideas here on what to do next?

Cussboy on Fri July 24, 2015 9:14 AM

Check the compressor gap/carefully tap on compressor center part with a wooden handle when not engaged, and see if it clicks in. Danger of belts and moving parts, be careful !!!

mk378 on Fri July 24, 2015 9:26 AM

You put in too much oil. 5 oz is enough to fill the whole system from dry. There is only a small amount in the condenser.

If the belt stops, you need to tighten and/or replace the belt.

fab5454 on Fri July 24, 2015 11:10 AM

Quote
Originally posted by: mk378
You put in too much oil. 5 oz is enough to fill the whole system from dry. There is only a small amount in the condenser.



If the belt stops, you need to tighten and/or replace the belt.

This is the part I don't understand. If I take my car to get a recharge, they don't flush the system, they just recharge it. How do they know how much oil is in the system? I thought that the oil circulates throughout the system no matter where it is added. If I added too much oil why did it take 5 days to effect the system?

I guess I am looking at a redo ????

Dougflas on Fri July 24, 2015 12:36 PM

You have made a large mistake. You pulled a vacuum and then opened the system to add oil. By opening a system that was under a vacuum, you sucked in a bunch of moisture. You should have put some refrigerant into it first and then opened it. Just because a system holds vacuum does not prove if it is tight. You could have a leak that only shows up under pressure.

fab5454 on Fri July 24, 2015 4:38 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: Dougflas
You have made a large mistake. You pulled a vacuum and then opened the system to add oil. By opening a system that was under a vacuum, you sucked in a bunch of moisture. You should have put some refrigerant into it first and then opened it. Just because a system holds vacuum does not prove if it is tight. You could have a leak that only shows up under pressure.


"I opened the system and poured 5 ounces of PAG 46 oil in the high side condensor opening. Closed up the system. Pulled another vacuum. Put in 23 ounces of R134a."

Dougflas on Fri July 24, 2015 8:18 PM

In order to remove the moisture, you would have to pull a vacuum for hours unless you had a micron guage on it to determine the vacuum level. NEVER open a system under a vacuum. Either pressurize it with an inert gas as N2 or use refrigerant to get it above atmospheric pressure.

fab5454 on Sat August 22, 2015 5:53 PM

Problem solved. One of the wiring harnesses slipped out and the wire rubbed a pulley and cut through a wire that supplies power to the condensor fan. Condensor fan stopped running and the system overheated causing the compressor to stall. Explains why it ran so good for a while and then abruptly stopped working. All's well now.

Edited: Sat August 22, 2015 at 5:54 PM by fab5454