Hi everyone since Last year I have been not entirely happy with my 98 Civic AC Performance. I started having 60f at the vents but after cleaning my evaporator and condensor with a bug cleaner and a tooth brush and even adding a bit of can freon (which changed nothing in my low side pressures) I put it down to 45f.
Today I am getting a 15 sec cycle on and 15 sec off on a 75f day having 45 at the vents.

However on a 85f day I would get 20 to 25 seconds with the compresor on and 10 to 15 off. I was thinking of reading both presures but then I decided to jump my evaporator thermostat and see what I got. To my surprise I was able to get 25f at the vents when coming back from work 7kms away and having 85f ambient temperature.

Have anyone ever tried tricking the evap thermostat somehow putting something into it so it cools the car faster and maybe with a little bit lower temperatures?

With a 25f temp at the vents (i used 2 different thermometers) I would guess I shouldnt touch my freon at all, right?

I would also like to know whats the normal ciclying time for a compressor I dont want it to be like 5 minutes on without resting in summer.

Thanks

 

Hook up a manifold gauge set and performance test the system as described in the service manual.

 

do you still think i need to do the manifold test after those temp readings? i dont want to put too much air in the system while doing this. do you think those cycling times are not normal?

 

you need to check both high and low pressures to verify proper charge and operation. as different charge levels, restrictions etc matter in a sealed refrigeration system

also, running it at below freezing coil temps is not recommended, it can freeze over the evap as it will be running below freezing.

 

You're not suppose to put air in the system to begin with. Yes those cycling times are not correct.

 

and like Ron posted, the AC system needs to be at specific PSI. Just adding freon without a proper gauge is the start of your problems.


Also, If your freon is low, then you have a leak somewhere. AC systems arent supposed to leak. Its a sealed design.

Those AC PRO commercials are hilarious (right next to E3 spark plugs)

 

Ohh ok I will then do the Manifold test and see where am I. But just asking, what are normal cycling times? Nobody even answer that I mean for a typical 85f day what should I be expecting for a 98 Civic?


Thanks

 

lets get it working properly 1st

 

it works fine indeed I mean I am wondering about the thermostat. But I would really like to know your ac cycle on and off times to see where am I before I touch anything. Just want to know If I have it running at peak condition or I am on the average.

 

hondahookup.com

download a manual and follow the instructions.

 

I meassured both sides, low 30 PSI High 225 PSI at idle. I had to discharge it because it was over 350 PSI high low remained at 30. So it was overcharged clearly. Is that ok? If I accelerate it wont go beyond 250 psi on the high side.

 

The A/C system is charged with refrigerant by weight. Recover the current R134a, place the system under a deep vacuum for an hour, and then recharge with 21.1-22.9 oz of R134a (+oil). See service manual. Then go from there.

 

^^^