Hi All,
First Post here so lets see what we can do for each other....

Thanks in advance!

Randy

Ok - Picked a used 97 Accord Wagon, No history, a few odds & ends don't work but my question is on the AC for now, (It is not climate controlled).

Temp today about 85, blower set to 3, recirc on and center duct temp was barely able to hit 60 degrees. I gauged up to the ports and read 17 - 20 low side and 170 to 190 high side at 2000 RPM.

The compressor cycles pretty often, like maybe every 1 - 2 minutes or more.
When the clutch kicks out, wam, pressure low side climbs quickly to 40/50PSI while the high side climbs a bit slower.

Between the pressor cycling, fans on/off, and RPM changes the gauges are all over the map and cabin temp won't get below 60 until the air temp drops outside. I can't find a site glass so I know not what to do to help this thing work like it should. 60 degrees at the dash aint doin much for me though. Shouldn't it be good for like 35 to 40? My Camry blew 40 on the same day.


If I wanted to start form scratch and purge everything, how do i get the oil out?

Can someone give me some details on how this system should work? Maybe fill in the blanks below and offer any real world experience. This is my First Honda...

IDLE, Fans on - yes
Outside air temp:
Cabin center duct temp:
Low side psi:
High side psi:


1500 RPM, Fans on - yes
Outside air temp:
Cabin center duct temp:
Low side psi:
High side psi:

 

without knowing the proper pressures specific to this year of Honda acocrd, it is difficult to say what is wrong. Low A/C performance-quite possible that the system is overcharged as the high pressure switch will cut the system off when the high side exceeds safe limits.

look here, there is a crap load of information about R134a system charge and how to properly test

http://www.macsw.org/pdf/MACS%20Service.pdf

 

sounds like your just low on freon. Most Honda a/c systems should be able to cool down to 40 degrees farenheight at 80 degrees ambient. Your pressure on the low side should average near 40. So give her some juice and you should be fine.