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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

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vanzep
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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by vanzep » Wed Jun 24, 2020 3:29 pm

got my BB1 booked in next week with honda specialist to get the aircon sorted out. nice cold aircon would be a treat and its something ive put off for years so looking forward to getting this job done.
ive heard the system on the 4th gen takes quite a bit of gas to fill it up.
currently the aircon works ok with no nasty rattles or anything and i do use it at least once a week but it just doesnt blow very cold so hope there is no need for any parts to be replaced.But would be good to know if anyone has an aircon rad and/or condenser etc handy just in case. :)
has anyone else had their ac done and were there any issue/cost involved -be useful to know ;)
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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by wurlycorner » Thu Jun 25, 2020 4:57 pm

I've sorted out the air-con system on 3 of my 4th gens, over the years.
There are 2 systems out there, depending on the age of the car - early ones were R12 systems, later ones were R134a systems.

You can't use/get R12 any more because it's a bad CFC, so you have to use R134a.
You can run R134a in R12 systems, but they do work at a different pressure (R134a is less efficient) and have different lubricity properties, so when you run R134a in an R12 system you can get problems with seals leaking and the compressors can wear out - there's an oil (also a die) they can add to help resolve that.

The 'fast fit' type places can't handle the R12 systems - R12 used a different type of connector/valve to connect the recharge machine to and the fast fit places don't have adaptors, so to avoid wasting time, check which yours is and if it's an R12, check your garage can work with them.

I've never managed to find a good used condensor, they're always pretty corroded, with the fins disintegrating or causing the top/bottom brackets to burst off (as in Toads recent pics). New really is the way to go, if you have any concerns about the condition of yours.

If it's still in good nick and you/your garage are thinking of replacing seals in the system, beware that the front connector on the condenser is almost certain to shear off. It's a bolted joint that faces forward, right at the front of the car (in front of the rad/behind the bumper) so gets exposed to all the weather. Worth getting in there in advance, to wire brush the threaded part that sticks out really clean and start spraying it all with penetrant. That way there's a chance it might come undone without breaking (otherwise if you try it and it shears, you will have to replace the condenser anyway!).

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by vanzep » Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:08 pm

Cheers wurly - guy is a Honda Specialist so should have all the connectors - sure its R134a but will double check.
Condenser rad looks ok to be fair and everything works except no cold air. Would be a minor miracle if they just need to fill it up but i live in hope. Like you say i will prep the connectors on the condenser just in case it needs to come apart. ;)
thanks for taking the time to give a detailed reply - much appreciated
1996-2000 1993 EG9 Blue Civic 1.6 Vti - Traded in against the BB4
2000-2019 1994 2WS BB4 Milano Red JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD

2015 on > 1991 4WS BB1 Phantom Pearl Grey JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD
2021 ON > 1998 2WS BB6 White Pearl JDM Prelude Si VTEC

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by wurlycorner » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:03 pm

vanzep wrote:
Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:08 pm
thanks for boring the jobby out of us, as usual
And now, angry ticks fire out of my nipples :D

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by Vtecmec » Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:07 pm

:lol:

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by vanzep » Fri Jun 26, 2020 1:29 pm

tbh i normally ask very boring questions :lol:
but knowledge is power ;)

just in case ive started looking at condenser rads - lots of new aftermarket ones for 5th gen but hardly anything for 4th gens available in uk.
Looks like quite a few options available from USA.
1996-2000 1993 EG9 Blue Civic 1.6 Vti - Traded in against the BB4
2000-2019 1994 2WS BB4 Milano Red JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD

2015 on > 1991 4WS BB1 Phantom Pearl Grey JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD
2021 ON > 1998 2WS BB6 White Pearl JDM Prelude Si VTEC

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by vanzep » Wed Jul 01, 2020 1:57 pm

Wellits in to have the ac looked at - bit worrying the garage called a couple of hours after dropping it off this morning - asked me to come and see something.......will be there at 4pm -not expecting good news :?
1996-2000 1993 EG9 Blue Civic 1.6 Vti - Traded in against the BB4
2000-2019 1994 2WS BB4 Milano Red JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD

2015 on > 1991 4WS BB1 Phantom Pearl Grey JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD
2021 ON > 1998 2WS BB6 White Pearl JDM Prelude Si VTEC

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by Vtecmec » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:03 pm

:scaredtoss:

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by Scott560 » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:13 pm

Its easy to expect the worse, but perhaps the aircon is too good now, that when you get there you'll see this!
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'00 UKDM 2.2VTI H22a8
'21 'e' Advance

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Aircon Regas/Check JDM 4th Gen

Post by vanzep » Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:17 pm

not good news - system is R12 - so wurly was right but ive always seen a R134a sticker on other ludes- no sticker on BB1 - apparently you can tell the difference easy as the R12 has threaded connections and the R134a is push fit. would need new hoses and pump taken off drained and flushed etc so cost for parts too high and same for labour.
I wish i had bought that Honda AC kit that was up for sale on the forum a while back....
So its going to be poor mans aircon for the time being - window down and sunroof up :lol:

lude is going back in next week to have fuel pressure checked as poor starting might be due to worn pump ie/not pressurising on start but starts if you prime pump 4 or 5 times - now i do have brand new honda fuel pump assy and gasket :P
1996-2000 1993 EG9 Blue Civic 1.6 Vti - Traded in against the BB4
2000-2019 1994 2WS BB4 Milano Red JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD

2015 on > 1991 4WS BB1 Phantom Pearl Grey JDM Prelude Si VTEC LSD
2021 ON > 1998 2WS BB6 White Pearl JDM Prelude Si VTEC

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