jken0904

I have a 92 civic LX new to the whole Honda terminology of what everything is and I am a girl so I will explain it in my girl way even though I have some mechanical background OK I have changed on my own no guys helping the high and low pressure switches for my AC because the clutch kept kicking on and off it didn't fix it so I changed the IACV it fixed my idling issues then the air still was not blowing hard enough from the vents so I myself took out the blower motor and cleaned it out seemed to help it blow harder but still not cold I took it to a local shop and they hooked it up to gauges when idling the pressure is good both sides 50 or so on low and about 100 or something high couldn't really see it but he said they were good but when you hit the gas the high side tries to blow up getting up to 500 NOT GOOD well they said I need an expansion valve I'm wondering do I need to vacuum the freon and all that when I change it or not because the shop is trying to charge me 135 dollars just to vacuum it out plus parts plus a stupid 28 dollars a lb for freon don't have this kinda money is there anyway around it please help single mom no income need good ideas

Former User

Whenever the system will be opened, the old refrigerant first must be recovered. Then you replace the expansion valve, replace the receiver/dryer, evacuate the system and test for leaks (loss of vaccum overnight). If the system holds vacuum, then recharge with refrigerant. If your system is stock and not converted to r134a, then you need to add 21-23 oz of R12. You can do all of this work yourself, except recovery of the current refrigerant in the system. A shop must do this.

You need R12, receiver/dryer, manifold gauge set, and a vacuum pump. The latter two may be available for rental from an auto parts store.

jken0904

its been converted already and i somewhat followed what you were saying but does any of that apply to me having the 134 and what is the receiver/dryer

B18C5-EH2

Yes you have to evacuate the system to replace the expansion valve. Then you'll need to recharge it afterwards.

Former User

It's the same for R134a.

The receiver/dryer is above the compressor. It contains material that absorbs moisture that may enter the system:

jken0904

ok thank y'all also do you know which expansion valve this car would have they said there are two different ones a straight one and one shaped like a right angle or would I just have to get in there and see

jken0904

so if I went to a shop to get just the refrigerant drawn out of it then replaced the expansion valve could I just refill the freon myself at home if so what would I need I have a big can of freon never used with the gauge from auto zone but nothing for the high side

Former User

Basically yes -- see items in post #2, 22 oz of R134a (check price at Walmart), and check whether any auto parts stores offer a free rental of a manifold gauge set to refill the system.

If you do a search, there's an excellent A/C DIY on this forum.

PushnFords

If you find the right shop sometimes they'll evacuate (empty) your system for free because they have a machine and reclaims/recycles the refridgerant which they can then sell to someone else. After they do that go in and change your expansion valve (match up the old with the new), replace your drier (check Rock Auto or eBay for a cheap one), replace the rest of your o-rings in the line connections, then vaccum the system down. Autozone used to rent a vacuum pump and a manifold gauge set (has 3 hoses...hooks to hi/lo/R134A can). From there you should be good to go.

jken0904

is it necessary to change all of the rings and the drier if I do not have the money to change them all and all I have the money for is the valve and what is the difference in evacuating and vacuuming because I dont have a vacuum and autozone want 200 dollars to rent it which I dont have even if I get it all back because all I have enough for is the valve

Former User

You may want to delay the job until you have saved enough money. Best to do the job the right way the first time.

jken0904

ok thanks you're right