vishyncsu

Hi,
I recently got my 96 integra AC inspected at a Quality Tuneup garage. They added a pound of freon. Since that service, whenever I turn on my AC and try to accelerate I get a strange whistling, siren-like sound, the shrillness of which is directly propotional to the gas pedal pressure. I took my car back to that garage, they told me that it's my compressor and that I might have to replace it. I was wondering how can the compressor start giving out a noise soon after the service.. is it that extra pound of freon? What is the average life of an integra AC compressor?
Thanks.

RaceCity_USA

Overcharging will definitely damage the compressor. Sounds like it's siezed and the noise is from the belt slipping. A 97 Prelude takes 26.5 oz. which is 1 lb. 10.5 oz. ie: 1 lb is 60% of total capacity.

Dave

vishyncsu

so is changing the compressor the only way out?

vishyncsu

one more thing.. the AC is working fine..what'll happen if I go on like this?

RaceCity_USA

It could be that the compressor is "hydrauliced", ie: the pressure in the system is high enough that the freon is in a liquid state entering the compressor. Do not continue to operate the A/C as internal compressor damage could result, if it hasen't already. You need to check the pressure with a set of gauges. It may be that letting the excess (if any) freon out will drop the pressure to the point of evaporation. (Liquid changes to gas) Take it to another trusted A/C service center and ask them to check the pressures.

Good Luck!
Dave

IVI

freon (r12)contains cfc's which depelete the ozone. most cars that take or took r12 have been retrofitted to 134a. find out what kind of refrigerant they put into your car. there are two types, r12 and r134a. r12 is more commonly known as freon. what kind of shop was this? you must be a licensed air condition technican to be able to purchase r12, otherwise its illegal to have. there is also a special lubricant thats for the a/c compressor, perhaps you have none. i would suggest looking into some things before running your a/c. if its making a noise from the compressor obviously something isnt right.

vishyncsu

the shop is a Quality tune-up chain shop.. I guess you find them all over USA. They told me that they put 1 pound of Freon. I don't know whether they have the license for that or not. Will ask them. Would anyone know here what kind of fluid goes in an integra 1996 RS?

IVI

it is also possible if your system was empty that they charged it from the wrong fitting, you must always charge it from the low side. it is possible that liquid got into the system from the low side.. liquid must not be there, its only supposed to contain vapor.

btw 16 oz = 1 pound.
a can of refrigerant that you see sold in stores is 14 oz.
you usually need 2-3 cans to fully recharge and empty system.
a low system will take 1 to 2 cans usually.
so i dont think 1 pound of refrigerant wouldve over filled it if it was low.

IVI

1994-99 Integra 24oz

year model capacity


it should take r134a.

vishyncsu

just called them up.. they put r134a in my car and they are licensed techs. Guess will have to take my car back to them to get the pressure re-checked. Thanks all!

IVI

check this site it has all the stats of a cars capacity etx on all models and makes..

http://www.aircondition.com/dsmobileac/acura.html