A/C Oddities
 

Sup, H-T! I'll keep this short.

I refreshed my 97 EJ hatch's A/C system with all new parts such as:

- Compressor
- Condenser
- Drier/receiver
- Evaporator
- Shrader valves
- Expansion valve
- O-rings all around
- Flushed all lines

So my issue is: my A/C blows cool but takes far too long to actually get cold. It obviously works better/faster at night or on cloudy days but when the sun is shining hard, it can take upwards of an hour for my car to be comfortable to sit in.

I've only been able to get it to blow cold on a hot day right away by opening the hood and putting an enormous fan in front of the bumper grille....

Is my condenser not shedding heat fast enough? Do I have too much heat in my engine bay? I can't understand why it doesn't cool off fast like any other car....

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Some more details:

- I am 100% stock down to the catalytic converter and steelies and the A/C system does hold vacuum for 45 minutes on a machine.
- System will blow significantly colder within 10 seconds after I start moving and driving the car again.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Are you positive the system has enough refrigerant or possibly too much?

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Aye, I am 100% sure it's properly charged. Used AllData for exact amounts of refrigerant and oil. Then used an all-in-one A/C machine from Snap-On (don't remember the machines name)

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Did you also put oil in the system? It's not mentioned. Also not mentioned is what brand products you are using. Cheap parts don't like to work on Hondas . Seems like you have replaced everything, sounds like a pressure issue . I had similar issues on a older car . It was the expansion valve clogged up and the system had to much oil. The high side line was getting way too hot.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

What color is your car?

Re: A/C Oddities
 

I knew I was going to forget something. Yes, we used the proper oil amount and type.

I am using all aftermarket parts. The only one I can remember is the compressor named FourSeasons.

Would a cheaper aftermarket compressor really under-perform that much? If so, why would my A/C get so much colder when the car is moving or with a big ass fan in front of the grille?

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Red.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

I think you just found your problem: insufficient airflow across the condenser.

Check your condenser fan.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

I'm currently in school and still learning stuff. What do I look for? I know it blows and it blows pretty hard. And it always comes on and stays on.
I have noticed the hot air kind of just rams into my exhaust and doesn't escape well. But I have not deviated from Honda design so what can I do?

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Then you fully understand that connecting a manifold gauge set is the next step to properly diagnosing the problem.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Will report back after returning to school.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Do the pressure tests with the engine held at 1500 rpm with the air set on max cool and recir and with both front doors open.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Just check pressure on each side under those test parameters? Or is there more?

Re: A/C Oddities
 

Do test in shade. Measure outside temperature and air temperature from center vent.

Re: A/C Oddities
 

please tell us what brand of condenser you're using.. I have a feeling that the fins are too close together to allow the heat to escape/radiate out. I had this problem last year, it wouldn't get super cold unless I was moving (35mph or faster). It would just be cool at idle. Yes I went to a mechanic who tested the entire system. A/C is one thing I don't mess with, don't have the tools.

So.. I put in a different condenser with wider fins and poof! super cold (blowing about 38-40deg, center vent at idle)

I do agree with everyone else, you have to measure the high/low pressure to make sure the compressor is doing its job! but had to jump in to share that a similar situation happened with mine.