So quick question maybe someone can give an easy answer here. I did a b16a swap on the 95 coupe and kept a/c. I dont know if it worked before, never crossed my mind to check it. Well now I drained the system and tried putting in new 134 and i get 1 can and the gauge reads in the yellow. I also get a crazy high pitched squeal when im driving and hit the ac button. Its got all new belts when i did the swap, so any ideas? no cold air at all, and everything seems to be engaging. Any help would be great

 

Did you at least check the tension on the belts?

 

Not yet. But it doesnt squeal just idling, and it still doesnt get cold.

 

I'm only addressing the squealing. There's a proper way to recharge the A/C system and I don't think just adding a can of refrigerant is the proper way to do it.

 

Before adding refrigerant to an A/C system, the old refrigerant must be recovered, the receiver/dryer must be replaced, the system must be evacuated, and then recharged.

 

I had a civic that would make a mad squealing noise... then I tightened the belt and it was fixed!

 

Still nothing. Replaced the receiver dryer, and the expansion valve. Charged the system and blew cold for half the day then hot. Figured i lost freon but thats not the case, its still full. Im kind of at a loss on what it could be..

 

You didn't mention doing this^.

 

What does "evacuated" actually mean? I took it to the local a/c place in town and they drained it and recharged it with dye to check for leaks and it was barely blowing cold and he told me the dryer and expansion valve should be replaced. Wasnt about to pay him what he wanted so i did it myself. I added another half a can and it starts to get cool but not cold enough and the psi on the low side is hovering about 60-65. Is this to low?

 

Depending on how warm it is and if everything was done to what they said was done the low side should hover around 25-35. and high side 300-375 they have to vacuum down the system and make sure it holds a vac then go for the charge. if you have a small leak it will do the charged for about a day or so i have seen as much as 3 weeks lol and then get hot again.

 

Ah well im at 60-65psi but thats with the ac on full blast... I just assumed if it was leaking these pressures would go down and they have not

 

To replace the receiver/dryer and expansion valve, you would need to recover the refrigerant, replace the parts, deep vacuum the system for a couple of hours, check whether the system holds vacuum overnight, and then recharge the system with the exact weight of refrigerant and oil specified in the manual. Any deviation from this process could or would lead to A/C failure. Do the job correctly or don't do it at all.

60-65 PSI is way too high on the low side. Proper diagnosis, however, requires a manifold gauge set because you need to know both high and low side pressures.

 

I see where your saying to deep vacuum the system to see if its leaking. Its not. Its been sitting for 2 weeks since i last changed the parts and the psi is still the same. 3 weeks ago it was taken to a shop and deep vacuumed and recharged with still nothing. Its NOT leaking. I was just asking for anyone that might of had a similar problem with a part that i dont know of.

 

The deep vacuum step serves a dual purpose. It not only allows you to determine whether the A/C system has leak but also is absolutely required to remove all air and moisture prior to addition of refrigerant to the system. Air in the system increases overall pressure (which is bad for A/C performance) and moisture reacts with refrigerant to form hydrochloric acid, which is highly corrosive.

 

I undersstand, but maybe or maybe not,i think even if that were the case, i should be getting SOMEWHAT of cool air, not air thats just as hot as it is outside. and its a good 90 out today.

 

If you did not deep vacuum the system prior to recharging with refrigerant, then that's a BIG problem - no maybe about it. Period.

 

you do need to vacuum it bud

 

Damn... so not vacuuming it would be enough for it to blow hot air and no cool at all?

 

Pull a deep vacuum like Ron said. Until you do this don't complain about having an A/C system that doesn't blow cold air. Pulling a deep vacuum as already mentioned is VITAL, without a deep vacuum you will NEVER have cold air.

You have been told what you need to do..now just get it done so you can enjoy cold A/C.

 

We'll find out tomorrow. I'll let you all know if thats what it is or not...

 

If everything else in the system is in working order(IE:Compressor, Expansion Valve, etc). And you have the correct amount of Refrigerant in the system, but haven't pulled the Vacuum, then that is where your problem lies.