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Hey guys. New to the forums, just got a 92 Civic DX from my girlfriend. Car runs great. I do have one problem tho:

The AC is not working. A little background:


When my gf had it, it blew cold but not THAT cold. Finally, about two weeks ago, it just started blowing hot, no cold at all. So, I figured that maybe it just needed a recharge. As I am recharging it, I notice that the refrigerant/oil is just spewing out of the side of the compressor. I then checked and found it to be the relief valve. The rubber "stopper" was not attached to the valve.

Today, I decided to put the rubber stopper back on, have the system evacuated and see if that was all it needed. However, the guy I took it to for the evacuation said that it just kept sucking out "freon" even past the maximum capacity of 22 ounces. He believes that it's just sucking out air.

My question is this: When the relief valve blows/activates does it have to be completely removed and replaced? Could that be where the air is coming in from?

It's an old car, low miles, but I just don't really wanna spend 500+ on putting in a new compressor. So, I am trying to decide before I purchase the $80 dealer part (the relief valve) if I am right in thinking that once the valve opens, it's destroyed and must be replaced.

Thanks for any input!

 
Rep Power: 517

Yes and yes. If it is rapidly leaking freon OUT under pressure, then it probably is also leaking air IN under the vacuum.


Don't replace the compressor.
Replace the relief valve and figure out why it blew out.

Do remember to add some refrigerant oil to the system, it lost a bit when the valve blew off.
Do NOT add too much freon, this will also blow out a relief valve.


Make SURE the condenser fan operates correctly before you continue to use the AC. If it doesn't run when the AC compressor is engaged, you will overpressurize the high side and blow the relief valve again.


38801-PM9-A11 shows to be $57 list. Cheaper over the internet at $40 (plus shipping) http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...VIN+Number+---

 
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Thanks for the info! I ordered the relief valve for much cheaper from hondapartsunlimited.com. When you say add oil, I'm assuming it's PAG oil and I pour it straight into the "IN" port on the compressor? About an ounce or two?

Will I need to have the system evacuated again prior to recharging with r134a?

One more, how can I check if the condensor is working or not?

Sorry, I'm good with mechanics for the most part but working on an AC system is a new venture for me.

 
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A 92, I assume it's already been converted to R134a? Was it a Honda approved conversion? If so, it should have received PAG oil, but other conversions may not have used it.
There should be documentation (a label) telling what is in it and how much, along with freon capacity info.

Warning: Too much freon will cause the new relief valve to blow off too.




Ounce or two of oil, probably. It's a judgement call. Gotta try to estimate how much was lost by the valve venting to atmosphere.

Vacuum/evacuate the system, absolutely. That's the only proper way.

If you aren't a pro and don't have experience with AC, I strongly suggest you let a pro do it, evac and charge by weight instead of randomly dumping cans in (2 cans is too much!).

Condenser FAN, you stare at it to make sure it runs when the compressor turns on. That means you gotta make the AC work first unless you want to do a lot of extra work to bypass the compressor controls.

HTH

 
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Gotcha. I will def take it to pro for the evac and recharge. Also gonna check the condenser fan afterwards. Thanks for the help. I'll be sure to post the results once I get the above done.

Edit: it was converted to r134a. Not sure on whether or not it was honda approved. I did not do it myself.