92 civic lx with 192,000 miles.

I just got a rebuilt compressor, new evaporator, expansion valve and drier & plan on bringing my ac system back to life after who knows how many years. After reading the honda manual on how to install my compressor, i'm alittle confused. In the manual it says to put the pag oil in the compressor then drain it through a suction valve. I thought i was suppose to leave the oil in there since they indicate a certain amount of oil needs to be added. Can someone let me know if i need to drain the pag oil or not.

Also, I found plenty of diys via google on how to install each part of the ac system and how to vacuum/refill. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for me that will make this task easier or a step that is critical to check or tips? I will be most thankful for any suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

 

What do you have now? Have any parts been riding around on the car with the lines open? Open lines will get dirty inside, since there is no filter in the system that is potentially very bad.

I would suggest also a new condenser, then you have basically an entirely new system with no unknown parts about it.

In any case, buy some new PAG 46 oil in a sealed can (a can with a screw top, not a can of refrigerant mixed with oil). PAG absorbs water rapidly from the air and goes bad. So you should drain out any oil that came within the new compressor and throw it away. Fill the compressor with oil (I think 4 oz) just before installing it and hooking up the lines. The compressor should be the second to last part you install, the receiver drier is last.

 

All the ac components(the old parts) that I want to replace are fully attached with no lines or components open, The system just isn't vacuumed.

So with the PAG oil, I should buy the "pressure can" type..not the "pour in" type...correct?
If so...Is it alright if I install the compressor first..vacuum the system(after installing everything else)...THEN put oil(pressure can) into it through a manifold gauge? I'm just worried about it absorbing water through the air.

Sorry I'm asking such detailed questions...I'm trying to get this right the first time so I won't waste any money & time...and an ac system is rather delicate if you ask me.

 

Use pour in oil.

Why are you replacing any parts if you have a complete system on the car already?

 

I don't know how long it's been since the AC system been used..2 years at least(guessing). I tried vacuuming & refilling the system twice some time ago.

1st time I had a leak from the compressor relief valve....brought the valve from honda & tried vacuuming & refilling again.
This thread I made is where it leads off from: https://www.hondacivicforum.com/foru...attempt-89578/


So I just said "fork it".
And basically brought "almost" the whole system new which cost less than $200, because I don't wanna replace one part to have another fail right behind it.

 

OK a couple of questions:

Do you know if the A/C ever worked with R-134a in it? Did you convert it (and if so, how) or does it appear to have been converted before you got the car?

Have you read the threads about compressor clutch gap? That could be the only problem.

 

It wasn't converted before, so I converted it to R-134a with one of those retrofit kits that you can buy at walmart or autozone. This is before I tried to get my ac to work.

Hmmm...I search this forum for "compressor clutch gap", but how is the gap fixed or corrected?

 

Ok here we go...

I installed the remanufactured Compressor(poured old oil out, put new 4oz peg oil in), New Evaporator, New Drier, New Expansion Valve, New O-Rings(oiled up), a Evaporator Thermo switch from the junk yard(tested for continuity), vacuumed for an hour, then finally added the 134a freon(about 17-19oz) with the AC in full blast.

My Compressor spin, my AC fan(driver side fan) spun when the AC button was pushed in.

After about 30 minutes of filling my system with freon, the Manifold gauges read about 80psi on the Low side & 300psi on the High side(only the LOW SIDE was open when recharging).

I highly suspect my Condenser is the issue..either it has a clog or a bent line(that I can't see). Are there any other parts to suspect other than the condenser?


BTW...the belt that goes to the AC almost got torn off by the compressor. I could hear the belt rubbing when it happened.

 

Ok Managed to get my AC system working after replacing my Condenser from a junkyard, I cleaned out the Condenser fins(of bugs & leaves), installed it & the AC works great now!

BUT....My compressor keeps locking up every once in a while for a split second(with engine on). I put 4oz Ester Oil and 20oz of Freon in after I vacuumed the system(134a). The Compressor is rebuilt BTW. Everything is working(fan, condenser, evap, expansion valve, drier) but my compressor just locks up at times & it does make my engine work alittle bit harder.

Is it that I put too much Freon in or too Little oil?

Any Suggestions or Ideas?

Thank you in Advance!

 

When it "locks up", does the belt squeal, or does the clutch slip? If the belt is squealing you may just need to tighten the belt. Clutch slipping-- maybe the clutch gap, or there is a bigger problem. Compressor should turn real easily by hand with the engine off.

I'm kind of in disbelief that you spent hundreds on new parts for the rest of the system then risk it all with a junkyard condenser.