hello my husband uses this site so i figured you could help a lady that knows nothing about engines with a pretty simple question i would think. i got my hands on some refrigerant that is compatible with R12. im wanting to recharge it myself and im not sure where on a 91 honda accord i plug the hose into for the refrigerant. can you please show me a picture or give me some sort of description on where to do this. i think i know where but it seems the "retro" fitting they gave me for the hose that is suppose to be for older cars isnt fitting where i think it goes. thanks so much for your time guys hope i was descriptive enough of my problem. the kit i purchased is MAXI-FRIG, it came with two cans of refrigerant, a hose, and 2 two fittings for the hose. it came with a how to dvd as well but of course it is for an older ford mustang..booo.

 

Well, R12 is toxic to the OZONE. And it is harder to service, also there's a chance that it might explode if not correctly and freezing. I suggest bringing it to a shop.

 

The High pressure line is the smaller tube, and the Low pressure line is bigger in diameter. If I remember correctly, the low side valve is basically in front of the rad, and the high side valve is closer to the firewall.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The-Kid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, R12 is toxic to the OZONE. And it is harder to service, also there's a chance that it might explode if not correctly and freezing. I suggest bringing it to a shop. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm pretty sure what she has is R12A which is an over the counter refrigerant-like chemical that can be used in R12 systems without converting it to R134

Heres a pic of my old engine bay, you can see the low side valve close to the battery.

 

yes we have R-12a bottle and thnks for the details. so its the line running infront of the radiator between the header/radiator looks like its wrapped in some sorta heat wrap type material correct? in your picture your radiator hose is running over the top of it? please get back to me if this is correct i really appreciate it.

thnks to everyone for the help

 

put the gauge on the big line which is low pressure, there will be a fitting that will allow you to attact to. Should read around 35 lbs of pressure or until the big line (low pressure) starts to sweat then you know its getting charge.

I would convert it to R134a its not hard with some retrofittings......

 

what is the pressure gauge called on the video it shows us one but im not sure where to get one ive checked schucks couldent find one and im not sure what to even call it. anyone know what its called or tell me where to find one?
thnks alot guys

 

you can buy them at any HVAC store and buy retrofittings since its an older system you might have more money in fittings to get it to match up to the older r12. Where are you located? anywhere close to KY?

 

Respectfully, I don't trust these do it yourself AC kits. You're also not getting the entire story.

For starters AC systems are very finicky. The pressure (the result of holding the can upright instead of inverted) can't be too high and can't be too low or it won't cycle efficiently if at all. You're also dealing with high pressures...things CAN happen. If you were to sprout a leak or overcharge the compressor you're looking at very high costs.

As far as converting to 134a I don't suggest it. R12 reacts with R-134a and can turn to acid and thus eat through all your seals. To convert a system you have to thoroughly flush it out and replace some other parts.

Moral of the story: yes you can successfully recharge your system yourself, but you're taking a risk. If something should go wrong it will cost you more than it would have to have a shop recharge your system. From what I hear as well R12a doesn't cool near as well as the old R12 did...you may feel a difference.

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but I've been in this business for a while and have even sold the kits. I've seen a lot of unhappy people as a result.

 

thats why I said go to HVAC store and buy gauges, nothing gets as cold as the old r12. R134a doesnt even compare to it. The orings that usually go bad are on the high and low side lines that go into the compressor they are easy to replace. You can bleed the system easy by usually the pressure from the 134a oil can.

If they take it to a shop they will more then likely convert it to 134a anyways which will save you in the long run for future charges. If you know nothing about charging systems it might be best to take it to a shop.