onsetofpurity

I've got a 93' civic cx(which would use r12 freon). The engine is a 1995 B18C(JDM gsr)(which would use 134a freon). My question is does anybody know how to tell if my ac compressor is for R12 or 134 freon? and also if japanesse cars used 134a freon in that year?

Thanks for any input.

R666_EK

You didn't use the compressor from your D series?

john666

i would think if you look at the fittings to recharge the ac.. it would either be 12 or 134a.

MonkeyMagic

when you recharge it you'll be stuck with r134a anyways... suck it up and buy the retro fit kit.
fyi the r motor is 134, so is everything else these days...

so whats your question?

jadziasman

The R134a compressor has a different part number than the R12 compressor. I don't recall offhand what they are but I own both types - two spares in my garage in case I ever need them!

The flexible lines that attach to these compressors are completely different and not at all interchangeable. Unfortunately for you, the 93 model year switched from R12 to R134a at some point. Good luck finding out which you have.

onsetofpurity

jadziasman - would you happen to have some pictures of your compressors ? and are the part numbers located on the compressors or just when you goto buy them? Thanks for your input.

MonkeyMagic - They still sell/use R12 in R12 equipped vehicles.

stiffinEK

iTrader: (1)

convert your R12 to R134a. dump out all the R12. buy the 134a fittings that fit ontop the R12 and then you can use R134a.

you cannot buy R12 nowadays. its illegal, unless you got a license. or you can do to pepboys or those places that do AC, can help you with R12.

shoklid

dude r12 u cant even buy anymore. its illegal and "harmfull" to the enviroment.thats why 134 came out. and if u go to a local part store and buy a kit 134 will work with ALL compressors. its compatible with both thats how the retro fit works. they wouldnt make a kit if it didnt work on all cars. ive done mine with 134 when i did refridgeration, and it was all fine the whole time i owned the car i just dont see what the big issue is here, cause there isnt a diff.

S2Integra

Rip out the ac lines and be done with it. lol

shoklid

the only real diff is the molecule sizes.like a small leak in r-12 is a huge leak in r-134a systems.as well as materials use such as "hydro-fluoro-chloro-carbons" and as r-134a replaced the r-12 it will NOT be as cold as the r12 this is why some prefer to use others like r-22 and r-406a and r-142b. u can use any of it as long as u have the right fittings. and most compressors are compatible, but im not poss they all are i cant remember i havnt had that job in about 5 yrs

R666_EK

134 does not just work with an R12 compressor. It should be swapped for a 134 compressor. You have to add the right kind of oil and swap the lines and o rings. Its not hard to convert but not as easy as the guys above are saying.

shoklid

not only is it illegal. its not availible on the market unless u go to the black market and good luck with that one. and pepboys cant help u with r-12. its ILLEGAL. all they will do is retro fit the r-134a fittings vacuum out the old r-12 and fill up the oil 1st then add refridgerant "r-134a".

shoklid

if u read my 2nd reply u would have seen i changed what i said the 1st time. my 2nd reply said "most" compressors....... and yes most of them are compatible. why else would they sell a retro fit kit for <MOST of cars out there. and explain to me how its not compatible cause i did this for a living b4. and have done ef civics and eg civics and they alllll worked just fine.

R666_EK

Its just that without the proper oils it will chew them up. I didn't say it wouldn't work. I just said he might be better off swapping the compressor and lines. That way there won't be any issues at all.

shoklid

the retro fit KIT comes with everything to convert them. oils, fittings and refridgerant

shoklid

and YES you did say it wouldnt work

shoklid

ok either way im done with this thread if the owner of this vehicle has any questions he can send me a private message.

R666_EK

You misread what I said.

"It won't just work" Meaning its not as easy as just adding 134.

I have never used a retro fit kit. I just know what could happen.

thumper64

I've looked for an answer before, and couldn't find it. What is the difference between R12 systems and R134A systems? Does one run at a higher pressure or need different pressure differences to cool properly?

Also, would an R12 system converted to R134A cool much worse than a "true" R134A system?

To answer the original question, the compressor will say what type it is meant for. I'm assuming the front of your pump is covered with grime.

shoklid

well as the molecular design of the freon materials are diff in size, yes pressure is a little tiny bit diff between the two. and yes they do say what type its made for, for ex; r-12 will say r-12 system but thats bc r-134a hasnt came out yet when they made it. it all is pretty much exactly the same setups. just diff oil and freon. and the r-134a has smaller molecules and r-12 has bigger molecules in them, thats the diff...

onsetofpurity

I would just like to know how to identify my compressor/ac lines to know if my Air conditioning system uses R12 or 134a freon.

I understand R12 is illegal - This is irrelevant to me.

Driving in southern california in the summer without AC is suicide, I'm not going to remove my AC system.

I'd like you all to read this DIY thread on recharing your AC system, as this thread, is what lead me to have these questions. https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/%5Bfaq%5D-how-charge-your-c-air-conditioner-conditioning-system-home-1665946/


I pm'd the creator of that thread "drumminforev" but probably wont get a reply back as he is not an active user.

I want my AC system to work like its brand new. Thats all.


Again thank you for your input!

shoklid

who cares what it is. retro fit it and use the right oil and charge the system and have cool ac......i dont see what the prob is here. the retro fit KIT comes with everything u need to convert the sytem over............................................

TravisCadello

Mine is 92 civic lx and i thank its R134 and i will be putting it all back together soon it is hot is hell!

I have a blower motor from a 07 chevy truck that will blow you away and im installing it on my eg because theirs not a point of having AC if it dont blow on you.

shoklid

haha i knew u were from H-town the way u typed lol...and yes its hot as hell in houston walk to ur car from the house and u need a shower. i know all about that...hahaha what part of houston u from? i was in hummble area.