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Hello everyone I need your help. I have a 97civic d16 engine and I recently got the timing belt changed. The ac on the car was working just fine except it blew hot air so I put some freeon. After that a couple days later(not driven yet) I get in the car and turn on the ac... The rpms dropped to 0 and the car turned off!!! So I turned it back on and every time I turn the ac on the car turns off when the ac is off the car is running good.. So what can it be ? I think I may have put to much freeon.. Also it makes a weird scratching or like clapping noise when I turn it on. Anyone know what the problem is ?

 
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Sounds to me like you have an A/C compressor problem. It might be starting to seize and that will stall your engine at idle! I would say it's just a coincidence that this happened around the time you had a timing belt changed. I've changed many (30+) timing belts over the years on those cars and the only thing you have to do to the A/C is remove the belt from the compressor.

 
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I also heard that if you put to much freeon this can happen ? Ima check the compresser if it spins it's good and if it doesn't that's the problem . But if it does spin and that's not the problem ? What else can it be

 
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Thanks for the reply btw

 
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To be honest, I'm not sure that over-charging a system would do that. Over-charging usually just results in warmer air blowing from the vents. It could be the clutch on the compressor that is starting to become an issue. It could also be the clutch/ pulley bearing on the compressor that is starting to seize (most likely could be your issue) - take off the A/C belt and spin the pulley by hand. Does it seem to spin freely or does it have some roughness? Also, try to 'wiggle' the pulley - if it has some side-play starting, it could be a sign of where your failure of the A/C compressor is coming from. If that's the case, leave the belt off until you get the compressor problem fixed. If you put the belt back on and the compressor seizes while you're driving, it might not stall the engine but rather blow the belt off and probably take out the other two belts.This would leave you without any power steering and alternator, if that happens!

Keep us posted!

 
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Do you have a gauge that measures how much freon is in the system?Your car should have a sticker on it under the hood somewhere telling you how much it holds,usually no more than 2.5 -3 lbs. max. Sounds like it could have too much in it possibly.Blowing warm air does not ALWAYS mean the system needs freon added.Too much freon can indeed cause the compressor to lock up.Or your compressor could just be going bad anyway.They usually make a squealing noise or even give an electrical burn smell sometimes.If this turns out to be the case I would replace the whole compressor not just the clutch in it.I recently bought one on ebay for around $150.If you do replace it,you SHOULD replace the receiver/dryer also,it's around $30.The symptoms you described sounds like the compressor is bad but I'm a parts replacer,not a mechanic so........it may not be bad.