AC not working

majemoss · Post by **majemoss** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:48 am

+1 for the Halfords can, I replaced the AC condenser and the pipe that runs along the N/S inner wing as it had rubbed through. At least with the DIY stuff if there is a leak it can help you trace where its coming from. I replaced the parts on mine and recharged it with half the can remaining, so simple to use too.

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:34 am

It's a very good way of doing a quick check and the cans will last, topped up the stagea as it was about 5psi down on what it should have been given the ambient 20 something degrees. Topped up and cold air went to arctic

also found the compressor was a lot smoother engaging and running.

As a quick FYI here, you can top up your own AC gas if it's R134 type, Halfords also sell bacterial cleansing stuff that cleans the AC system and leaves it smelling like lemons in your car for about a tenner. To clarify something too, you are not "supposed" to vent AC gas into the open air, however, what gas do you think is the recommended and most widely used entry level gas for BB guns, yup R134 and a machine pistol vents it quite freely in copious amounts as do Moscart style 40mm grenades

As I'm sure some of you won't read the can here are the main points, run the car with recirculation and the ac on fully cold for a MINIMUM of 5 mins, THEN hook up the gauge and see what the pressure is, USE THE TABLE on the can to determine what pressure should be for the outside temp, SHAKE the can to mix up the lubricants and gas and ADD SLOWLY, dumping half a can in could up the pressure too much, personally I find half to one second bursts are good and NEVER fully open the can unless your ac system is hella empty. It really is easy to do yourself and you can't fit the nozzle to the high pressure side accidentally either as they're different sizes, I've used this on the lude and stagea and a co workers ford (the ford was hella empty and took a half can to refill), most sites tend to agree that every year to 5 years some gas will be lost or the system will need a top up and again most places state that the AC should be used for a minimum of 10 mins a week in one go to keep the lube circulated and seals in good condition.

Take it as you will guys but I'm going off personal research and experience here, thats not to say if a seal is leaking a bit a regas will be fine because it might make the leak more evidednt with more pressure behind it and R12 is not compatible with R134, R12 and compatible gasses need a specialist, R134 does not for a regas

106pete · Post by **106pete** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:41 am

Where is the next place to look tho if you already have full pressure??

Post by **indigolemon** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:47 am

The magnetic clutch on the air con pump would be my next guess.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:57 am

and to clarify a bit more for any folks that didn't read my thread

my '94 Prelude uses R12

I know Nitins is later, but thought it's worth mentioning here.

nitin_s1 · Post by **nitin_s1** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:34 pm

BennyBoy where did you get yours done from? I can come there if you are not that far.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:51 pm

nitin_s1 wrote:BennyBoy where did you get yours done from? I can come there if you are not that far.

Just round the corner from me, in St Albans. Could always meet if I'm about. SirSi too, if he's sorted?
Its this place: http://www.turnerautomotive.co.uk/

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:03 pm

Are most places able to test for what gas you're using? Also, if all your R12 'escaped' would it be ok to refill the empty system from the canned stuff??

On a sidenote, when I took the engine out my Accord all the refrigerant was lost. It's been a year now, will my A/C ever work again if refilled? A part qualified mechanic friend reckoned the whole system would be ruined by now and need replacing

nitin_s1 · Post by **nitin_s1** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:15 pm

bennyboy wrote:
nitin_s1 wrote:BennyBoy where did you get yours done from? I can come there if you are not that far.
Just round the corner from me, in St Albans. Could always meet if I'm about. SirSi too, if he's sorted?
Its this place: http://www.turnerautomotive.co.uk/

30 mins from my house.

Simon is on a holiday so when he comes back we will have a meet.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:19 pm

nitin_s1 wrote:
bennyboy wrote:
nitin_s1 wrote:BennyBoy where did you get yours done from? I can come there if you are not that far.
Just round the corner from me, in St Albans. Could always meet if I'm about. SirSi too, if he's sorted?
Its this place: http://www.turnerautomotive.co.uk/
30 mins from my house. Simon is on a holiday so when he comes back we will have a meet.

Plan. Again.

Never quite seems to happen, but we'll get there.
I'll have my new coilovers on then too