95TEG

If I get some of that aluminum look insulator wrap, and if I wrap my A/C lines, would this help keep it cool from engine bay heat? Its pretty important that I have cold A/C, I live in AZ, and its over 100 everyday this time of year. Thanks for any input, its appreciated.

100 posts

Chris

I know that Mugen supplies metal-looking flex loom to wrap the AC lines with their headers. I think thats because there is no heat shield and the outer rubber will fail when subjected to too much heat. Not that it keeps the Freon any cooler.

Probably wont help, but couldnt hurt.

samagon

you should keep heat away from the rubber lines, but it won't effect the efficiency of your AC, just make sure that your AC is charged fully every summer, that is the only way to ensure maximum efficiency. due to EPA regulations and such your AC unit, if fully charged is running at max efficiency, putting some reflective stuff on there isn't going to make it more efficient.

95TEG

thanks guys for the input. Should I get it recharged every year, or only when it needs it. Is this something I can do myself?

Chris

recharge must be done by a licences refrigeration shop (most mechanic shops are)

It should not be needed to be re-charged every year, unless you have a leak.

Here is a suggestion. When you get in the car, open the windows part way, put the AC on Full and FRESH air. Then as it begins to cool, close the windows and put the AC on RECIRC. Then it will begin to cool the already cool air inside the car. before long you will have Ice on your nose hehe

GSRaCeRbOI

that is what I do but I don't get ice on my nose/it doesn't feel all that cool if its 90+ outside.. maybe I have a leak in the system somewhere.. if its under 85 degree's my a/c works fine and is cold.. if its over 90+ then it feels "COOLER" than outside.. but in no means "COLD"

jetdriven

go to the parts store and get one of those thermometers you stick in the vent. It is about a 1" guage with a 6" metal probe, similar to what you check your food with. An optimum R-12 system should have no more than 50 degree Fahrenheit vent temps even at 100 degrees ambient going down the freeway at 40+ mph. 38 degrees is typical. Please note the intake for the air must be on "fresh" not "recirc" for an accurate test. My 91 eagle talon has measured 38 degrees at 107 ambient. A R-134a system will have 60 degree vent temps at a stoplight but it should pull down to low 50's or high 40's on the freeway. check the underhood label as to what type of system you have.

GSRaCeRbOI

thanks jetdriven I'll go buy that guage this weekend.. so if its at idle in my garage it should be around 60 degrees? or should i have the guage in the vent and go drive around for an accurate test? I dunno its always been like that.. and I've complained to the dealer (when the car was under warranty) and they just said its like that and checked out fine..

yolooky

here is an effecient and proper way to test your ac system. start car , turn ac on, use recirc, roll windows up, let idle or perferably run at 1500 rpms for 10 min., check vent temp, if it is over 46 degrees your sytem is not performing properly. i am a honda tech.

GSRaCeRbOI

ok thanks.. so at honda do you guys use the same type guages? or is there a diff kind? let me know cuz I'm going to buy the guage and test it this weekend.. thanks.. also I have the blower fan on max setting/max speed correct? and which air vents direction should I have the vents blow out (vent, face only, face and feet, etc... I'm planning to stick the thermometer into either the driver side vent, or the center console vent (since those are the ones that face me.. the driver).. should I leave all the other vents open? let me know what fan speed it should be at and also what vent output button it should be at.. thanks

jetdriven

a thermometer is a thermometer. Use the center dash vent outlet to get the best reading, with the vent output on "vent only". make sure you use fresh air not REIRC.. What the honda tech says is mostly accurate, however, if the car is dark and sitting in the sun for a few hours, no amount of idling it will bring the system temps down below 46 degrees. reason is the car is "heat soaked" and it takes time to cool down the interior. Since the fan draws air in RECIRC mode from the interior, it will take a long time for the temps to come down. TOO MANY VARIABLES. Drive the car (80+ degree day) on the freeway, fresh air, vent only and full cold, measure the temp. should be below 50 degrees. Then stop the car and let it idle. Depending on the radiator fan, etc temp may rise to 60 if its a 134a system. Freon R-12 should stay pretty cold, mid 40's. Once again my 91 eagle talon was 38 degrees on 107 degree day on freeway, and 40 at stoplight. R-12 system. MY 98 contour SVT had R-134a, it would blow 38 degrees on freeway but temp would go up to 75 degrees ast stoplight!! R-134a doesnt cool well at all low speed otr low RPM. For that reason alone do NOT convert a R-12 system. poor performance.

GSRaCeRbOI

its a 95 so thats R-134 right? well the car is black but its garaged so it shouldn't be that hot.. I'll do the test tomorrow. thanks for all your help... if its 85 and under the a/c is fine but if its 90+ even at freeway speeds.. the A/C seems lacking.. I'll check out the thermometer reading and then depending on that .. see if a shop can test it for leaks or maybe recharge it.. thanks..