95 EX Air Conditioning Questions

Hello everyone, I have a 95 Civic EX. It's getting sorta warm out so I decided to troubleshoot my air conditioning. I added some dye + R134a and found that the condenser is leaking. So I'm off to purchase a new condenser and replace it. Now I'm wondering what steps I'm going to have to take after the system has been fully opened, while recharging it. I read that you need to use a special machine that is essentially a vacuum to remove anything left in the lines.

Could someone sorta steer me in the right direction for the recharge of the A/C system? Thanks so much, getting sick of the heat! :runaround:

After replacing the condensor you will need to vacuum the system. If you don't have a machine just let a shop charge it for you. For $75 is it really worth over or under charging. Some shops might even vacuum it down for and send you on your way if that's what you requested. I know we would have no problem doing that.

Okay, thanks for that advice. So basically you're vacuuming the system so that you know how much you're going to put in, and to help keep everything, for a lack of better words, "fresh". After you vacuum, do you just go ahead and pump R134a into the system until a gauge can accurately read that it's full?

I've done some reading and heard about this stuff called PAG oil to lubricate the A/C compressor. Is there anything you need to put into the A/C system besides R134a after doing a condenser change and system vacuum?

Thanks.

You're better off using a scale to find out how much juice your putting in. The Hondas hold such a small amount I would be afraid to over charge it. You could put 2oz of PAG in the new condensor and coat the new o-rings with it. People say not to put oil on the o-rings but I've never had a problem yet and we so a load of A/C work, especially this year. I beleive you car is PAG 46. You can get it from NAPA in 4oz bottles, it's not cheap, but it's cheaper than a compressor.

So I would vacuum the system, then just "pour" 2 oz of the oil into the condenser then connect the system? Or put it in after the entire system is vacuumed and holds a vacuum and closed?

Do you have any idea on a place that can advise on the correct amounts of refrigerant to add to the system?

Thanks.

Pour it in the condensor before you install it. Then vacuum it.

There should be a sticker under the hood, usually on the right strut area, with the correct amount. It's like 16.9-18oz, I think. I can check tomorrow at work.

Okay, thank you. A friend of mine has the specific vacuum for this job. After you vacuum it with the oil in the condenser, you simply just make sure that the system holds vacuum and then you fill it with the R134a and you're good?

Thanks.

Yep, that's it. Even if it doesn't hold vacuum it might be a good idea to charge it up and run it for a while to find the next leak. Some times A/C is a never ending battle.

We had a Mercedes come for A/C inop. Started with a simple line, then it was the compressor, then it was the evaporator. He spent some big bucks on that A/C job.

Okay, well I'll get that condenser and give it a try. Thank you for all of your help!

No problem. I'll post the capacity later.

1.2lbs, so 19oz.