Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

A/C doesn't blow cold - high side gauge needle flutters

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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 07:02 AM
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Default A/C doesn't blow cold - high side gauge needle flutters

Tried and tried. With no cold ac.

Outside temp 72 ℉
humidity 81% ..... Got it off the weather channel. Don't know if its right or not...
Out put Of the ac system at the main vent 61 ℉
Low side - 43 psi
High side - fluctuates between 340 and 460 psi ?? While the compressor is engaged.


Going to input this into the diagram right now just want to make sure I do it correctly.
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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 11:21 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Here is what I interpreted it to be .....


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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 02:16 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Discharge pressure is too high, caused by a few things most commonly:
1: Failure of cooling fans to engage, and cool the refrigerant
2: Overcharged system, self explanatory
3: Air in the system, air does not condense, and significant amounts of it will impair cooling
4: Internally restricted condenser, preventing refrigerant from being cooled
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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 03:17 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Any idea what would cause the high side to fluctuate?
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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 06:22 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Okay well to get the abnormally high pressure out of the discharge side and suction is to lower the amount of charge to put in to system to a total of eleven ounces. But the system still blows warm. This leads me to believe that there is air in the system.......
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Old Jun 27, 2013 | 10:20 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Hey. It's you again. I guess your A/C has issue again this summer also. Just don't keep charging and discharging again this time. Make sure you charge it right to specs. Don't over or under charge based on your opinion. Again. And do it slow.
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Old Jun 28, 2013 | 03:37 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

I have only tried to charge it three times. But I was told that last time. But at 19 oz the pressure was WAY to high.
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Old Jun 28, 2013 | 07:30 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Are there bubbles in the sight-glass?
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Old Jun 28, 2013 | 07:51 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

You MUST replace the receiver/dryer and pull a deep vacuum on the system before adding refrigerant.
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Old Jun 28, 2013 | 02:17 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

^ going to do this and see what it yields... and I will check the sight glass this evening as well.
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 03:23 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Refresh my memory ... sight glass on the receiver/ dryer? Or did some aftermarket units not have one?
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 03:53 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Never mind on the sight glass. the r134a system I have doesn't have the sight glass. Least mine doesn't.

Put a brand new dryer on it and did a deep vacuum for 15 minutes and it held full vacuum for 5 minutes. Then charged to 19oz. Seems to be doing fine but the temps have dropped by 20 degrees. Suppose to be a little hotter. I didn't have anything to tell delivery temp.
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 04:03 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Originally Posted by thinkskater007
Put a brand new dryer on it and did a deep vacuum for 15 minutes and it held full vacuum for 5 minutes.
Best to pull deep vacuum longer and then leak test overnight. But good luck with the fix.
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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 06:27 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Have you had better luck with a certain amount of time exactly?

This is what it did on the gauges after the new dryer and 19oz charge after running for 10 mins on recirculate on max.


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Also this is my setup just might help to know exactly what the car has done to it.

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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 06:28 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Originally Posted by Ryan Lwin
Hey. It's you again. I guess your A/C has issue again this summer also. Just don't keep charging and discharging again this time. Make sure you charge it right to specs. Don't over or under charge based on your opinion. Again. And do it slow.
My plan was to fix the ac then put my turbo kit on. But couldn't figure out the issue. I found a slight kink in one of the lines and thought that was the issue and went to replace it this summer with zero changes there after.
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 07:27 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Seems if at 1500 rpms or more and if let idling for a short amount of time the system will blow cold as should. If it is left to idle for 10 minutes it will blow more warm.

350 psi is still sort of high for the high side so something isn't efficient in my system I would think. I will redo that test from the honda manual tomorrow evening.
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 07:29 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Does the engine idle to spec?

Does the condenser fan run when the compressor clutch is engaged?
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 07:45 AM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Yes It idles at 900 rpms very steady. Its actually the best idling honda I have ever had.

And yes the fan kicks on , Ill have to double check when it does.
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 04:10 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Watched it stay engaged for like 15 minutes. Fan stayed on the entire time. Should I think about wrapping anything in heat wrap? Ac lines or turbo related?
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 08:14 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Any ideas or opinions ? On the exhaust wrap also ? My system now will blow semi cold but I need icy. Any ideas on how to make it more efficient?
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 09:22 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

In the shade, hook up a manifold gauge set, turn A/C to max, and hold the engine speed at 1500 rpm while you read the high and low side pressures. Post those pressures, the outside air temp, and the air temp output at the center vents.
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 12:09 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

The high side pressures are from 250 to 550. I can't really tell as the needle moves a lot and really fast. The low side is 35 psi , the output of the system at 1500 rpms was 51 degrees and at idle its 65 degrees. The outside temp is 81
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 12:45 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

Originally Posted by thinkskater007
The high side pressures are from 250 to 550. I can't really tell as the needle moves a lot and really fast.
This^ is the problem. The compressor may be bad.
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 12:54 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

What makes you think the compressor may be the issue ? Have you seen the high side go crazy before ? Should I try another set of manifold gauges ?
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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Default Re: ac issue help !

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...40&postcount=2

If you observe erratic needle movement, consistent fluttering, wild jumping (generally on the high side) you could have a bad compressor reed valve, or a partially blocked metering device or hose. Replace the offending component, inspect for debris and flush as required, replace the filter assembly and metering valve, and recheck the system.
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