My 93 Accord's a/c system is not working. Everything seems fine, it was running but weak last summer. Now the compressor is not engaging. I suspect the R12 leaked out and the low pressure switch activated.

I am an A/C newbie and do not want to spend too much money on the car, so I am going to try to recharge it with Red-Tek12, the Canuck version of Freeze12.
Before I recharge it and add the seal sweller, I am going to get the system purged of any remaining R12.

My question is: Will the purging/removal of the old R12 also remove the oils in the system? If so, do the oil then need to be replaced?

Thanks,

Phil

 

if you are going to the shop and have they suck out all the feron, you'll need to reoil it.

get a leak dye check before you pour in the golden mad expensive r12, if you have a hole in the tube, you just pour your money down the drain

 

if you have four windows, and a sunroof. save your cash for something worth while, and just do what i do. activate the five window A/C. saves power, gas. and when you dump it off the engine, you will save weight!!!!

 

I would have it repaired and recharged with r12. where I am at (st louis MO) I was quoted at $45/lb for 12 from the HONDA dealer (Huey Honda).

Converting to R134a is an option but it does not cool as well as R12 and on top of that you can only safely charge the system to 85% capacity. 134a has about 10 % less cooling capacity at the same charge as R12.

I have a 94 LX with a Sunroof and let me tell you that the r134a A/C system sucks ***** big time and I have had the system tested for leaks (there are none) and refilled by Honda to the proper level and when I am at idle in traffic on a hot day is sucks big time. No problems when I am at hwy speeds though.

 

If you are going to have a shop recycle (suck out the old stuff) your remaining R12 then they need to put at least a little of your new stuff in before disconnection their hoses to keep any moist air out of your system. It is illegal in the US to install the blend that you are talking about so you may need to talk to the shop first unless it is a friend of yours. DO NOT put any stop leak in the system, fix the leak and spring for the real R12 if it is even available in your area. STOP LEAK will plug up some poor technicians equipment in the future and he may make you pay for it, if you use it then make damn sure there is a label wrapped around the low pressure hose next to the service port. Evacuating and vacuuming the system does remove a little oil but the machine should catch it so it can be measured and reserviced with virgin oil of the correct type.

Duane in Japan

 

couple of things i would not advice
# 1 using seal sweller in system you will most definatelly plug up the expension valve it has a very small orifice and once that **** gets into the compressor you could also cause problem as well..

# 2 the use of tek-12 i would suggest retrofit to R134a if it is a question of money freon being expensive retrofit kit cannot cost more than 40-50 dolllars..should come with everything to to the job
but as stated before by other people first things first you need to repair the leak if there is one