Decided to take a look at my CRV and figure out why the A/C sucks at idle, but works "meh" at interstate speeds.

Problem 1) Radiator fan is faulty. Won't kick on by itself, but with a little assistance (I.E. spinning it like a plane prop, lol), it spins up with no problem. Retarded easy to fix.

Problem 2) Incorrect amount of refrigerant a likely possibility. The CRV was wrecked in the front, and had nearly everything replaced up there, including the condenser. That being said, someone probably filled it themselves without the proper hardware, thus over/under filling it. I'm gonna drop by my friend's shop this weekend and have him suck it down and tell me how much is in the system.

Regardless, it's not even close to the potency my 94 Prelude has, and that's disappointing. I did notice when bringing it home that when we stopped for fuel, the compressor was cycling quite rapidly when standing still. Dunno what all that would mean, aside from high/low system pressure.

Any of you experienced with the CRV care to shed any light?

 

It's most likely low on refrigerant. Mine gets a little warmer when I stop, but good when moving.

 

I had a can of R134a hanging around, so I hooked my fill hose up to it, and she took a bit of refrigerant, but the low side pressure was right around 50psi, which if I remember correctly, is about right. I figured since it was hot as hell outside in the Louisiana heat, it might generally run a bit higher.

So I left the can on just a bit, and the compressor started to cycle, which was a good thing. Then when it kicked back on, it was a bit violent, so I let some of the refrigerant back out.

I noticed another issue at this point... some assclown showhow reversed the polarity on the condenser fan, making it a pusher fan, not a puller.

Looks like I've got some work ahead of me.

 

Just a FYI, it's not refrigerant in those can you buy at a parts store, it's only propane in them. You need to have your HVAC (or whatever it's call in the states) license you buy A/C refrigerant by law.

 

I dunno about that... I know you need a license for R-12, but I don't think it's required for R-134a. And it's definitely not flammable like propane... ask me how I know, LOL

 

It should be, as you need one here, and the R134 replaces the R-12 of the old days.

I've also taken the A/C course for automotive.

 

I think the laws are a bit different here in the states. At least in Louisiana.

 

Most be lol.

 

yeah in the states you can buy r134a in any autoparts store.

or at least you can in kentucky

 

How in dehell did dey do that?? Did they have to repair the wiring harness to the fan when it was in the FE collision? Those connecters are keyed so you cannot put them in wrong.

 

The fan was salvaged from some other Honda. Regardless, I'm just gonna change both fans.