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  #16  
Old 06-04-2008, 02:14 PM
Treppiede Treppiede is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YourConfused View Post
may be helpful to you
Thanks Bud, I read the whole thing, good info on there.

Guys, I found a local shop that has a dedicated machine that supposedly does the following:
- Change Oil in the Compressor
- Pull Vacuum and Flush AC system
- Reload with R134 including dye

He says that the price varies, but it's up to $105 depending on how much R134 my system fits. Do you think this is a fair price for the above service?

Also, if I don't turn on the AC, can I drive the car to this shop without damaging the compressor?

Last question: if he performs the above, all that is left for me to do before putting things back together (got a new dryer too) is to change or clean the compressor filter.
Where is that located, and what's the correct procedure to clean or replace it?

Thank you for all the help and for your patience.

-Walter

PS= I really wanted to fill the system with A22/ES-22a ... do you guys suggest I try that instead?
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1993 Civic CX Hatch (daily driver)
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Last edited by Treppiede; 06-05-2008 at 09:43 PM.
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  #17  
Old 06-05-2008, 09:43 PM
Treppiede Treppiede is offline
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...anyone?

Thanks,

-Walter
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  #18  
Old 06-06-2008, 01:55 AM
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kwren kwren is offline
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You need to get it together

before a vacuum can be pulled on it put everything together like it is all over. Then take it to the man.
With no refrigerant in the system, the compressor will not turn because the clutch will not engage.

Keith
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  #19  
Old 06-06-2008, 06:30 AM
Treppiede Treppiede is offline
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Originally Posted by kwren View Post
before a vacuum can be pulled on it put everything together like it is all over. Then take it to the man.
With no refrigerant in the system, the compressor will not turn because the clutch will not engage.
Keith, thank you for the answer. My wording was out of order, of course I meant I would have put everything together before taking the car to him. In other words, what I meant is that with him performing all of that "task-wise", the only thing left for me to do is to change the compressor filter before putting it back together and take it to him. Therefore, do you know where the compressor filter is and how to get to it? Also, do you know the proper way to drain the old oil from the compressor?

Thanks!

-Walter
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  #20  
Old 06-06-2008, 11:25 AM
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kwren kwren is offline
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I don't....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Treppiede View Post
Keith, thank you for the answer. My wording was out of order, of course I meant I would have put everything together before taking the car to him. In other words, what I meant is that with him performing all of that "task-wise", the only thing left for me to do is to change the compressor filter before putting it back together and take it to him. Therefore, do you know where the compressor filter is and how to get to it? Also, do you know the proper way to drain the old oil from the compressor?

Thanks!

-Walter
Not sure on the oil thing. Might call people that do that and ask them why it costs so much to get it done and see what they say? I would definitely get a few "second opinions")

I understand about the out of order thing.

On the form, there are various levels of expertise, as we all start learning at different times!
Just wanted to make sure.

I just woke up and started my ritual of coming here 1st!
I can look after the wife gets up. For the filter (dryer-strainer), I never had to look for it yet, but it might be on the right side attached to the line coming back from the condenser that is in front of the radiator. Could be on the left as well but will have a line attached to it from the condenser that is in front of the radiator. I wouldn't think that it would actually be in front of the radiator as well but it might. I think you can probably find it? just a guess, or 2. Might even have a sight gage attached to it. (just the ramblings of a 78 year old, half asleep person)

Keith

Last edited by kwren; 06-06-2008 at 11:36 AM.
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  #21  
Old 06-06-2008, 05:49 PM
Treppiede Treppiede is offline
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Keith, wait a minute, "filter" = "drier"?

If that's the case, I know exactly where it is and I already have a new one waiting to be installed. For some reason I interpreted other posts on the matter as if there was an internal mesh filter inside the compressor itself.

Sorry guys, I have never messed with AC systems!

So basically all I have to do is drain the old oil, put everything back together and take it to get filled with oil then freon?
Can the oil be put in the compressor after it's installed?


Thanks for your patience guys.

-Walter

PS= Are you really 78? That's great, I wish more "mature" individuals in Italy would use the internet like they do here in the USA, it's awesome.
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1995 SVX Green - now 5spd! ..::|SOLD|::..
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1993 Civic CX Hatch (daily driver)
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  #22  
Old 06-06-2008, 08:10 PM
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kwren kwren is offline
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The oil can be put in with the compresor installed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Treppiede View Post

So basically all I have to do is drain the old oil, put everything back together and take it to get filled with oil then freon?
Can the oil be put in the compressor after it's installed?


Thanks for your patience guys.

-Walter

PS= Are you really 78? That's great, I wish more "mature" individuals in Italy would use the internet like they do here in the USA, it's awesome.
78 the 27th of this month. (I just got tired of the 77 thingie. I thought I was close enough for 78!)
Take care,
Keith
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  #23  
Old 06-07-2008, 12:29 AM
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Hondasucks Hondasucks is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YourConfused View Post
yes and I have not been able to find the hi side adaptor in town anywhere cause the universal kits don't fit a suby
the universal kit I bought from autozone worked on my SVX.

As for oil, you have to use R-134a oil, somewhere under the hood is a "Subaru air conditioner" decal, and on there it will say how much oil to use, which you can just pour into the compressor before you close the system back up. Definitely need to evacuate the system, and you'll want to replace the receiver/dryer (You can get them from the dealer, if the parts house doesn't have them, they are not all that expensive, ~$80) and the O-Rings (You can get R-134a compatible O rings from autozone) while you have it open. I'd recommend having a shop or the dealer do the evac and recharge, as it's a lot easier with the proper equipment If you replace the receiver dryer, pour half of the recommended oil amount into the "out" port of the receiver/dryer, and the other half into the compressor.

Also, $110 is an EXCELLENT price, my dealer charges ~$150. You'll need to replace the O-rings on any fittings that you took apart or it will leak. An assortment of A/C O-Rings runs about $4 or so at Autozone.
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Last edited by Hondasucks; 06-07-2008 at 12:32 AM.
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  #24  
Old 06-07-2008, 11:24 AM
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kwren kwren is offline
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This has got me to wondering...

Might not be a bad idea for everyone to replace the o-rings on the receiver/dryer when we replace the o-rings for the compressor lines.
Maybe everyone else already does it and the light just came on for me?
Take care,
Keith

Last edited by kwren; 06-07-2008 at 11:24 AM. Reason: spelling (of course) LOL
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  #25  
Old 06-07-2008, 07:36 PM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
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Well I have all the equipment in my garage and have done hvac work on hundreds of cars in the past. I am amazed at how something so simple as 1 adaptor could be so hard to find. I went to AZ, NAPA, Aline, Advance and Orielys and best i found was a guy that said they use to sell ones that fit, but not any more. I gave up and just used the low side.
I have cold air now.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondasucks View Post
the universal kit I bought from autozone worked on my SVX.

As for oil, you have to use R-134a oil, somewhere under the hood is a "Subaru air conditioner" decal, and on there it will say how much oil to use, which you can just pour into the compressor before you close the system back up. Definitely need to evacuate the system, and you'll want to replace the receiver/dryer (You can get them from the dealer, if the parts house doesn't have them, they are not all that expensive, ~$80) and the O-Rings (You can get R-134a compatible O rings from autozone) while you have it open. I'd recommend having a shop or the dealer do the evac and recharge, as it's a lot easier with the proper equipment If you replace the receiver dryer, pour half of the recommended oil amount into the "out" port of the receiver/dryer, and the other half into the compressor.

Also, $110 is an EXCELLENT price, my dealer charges ~$150. You'll need to replace the O-rings on any fittings that you took apart or it will leak. An assortment of A/C O-Rings runs about $4 or so at Autozone.
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  #26  
Old 06-07-2008, 11:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YourConfused View Post
Well I have all the equipment in my garage and have done hvac work on hundreds of cars in the past. I am amazed at how something so simple as 1 adaptor could be so hard to find. I went to AZ, NAPA, Aline, Advance and Orielys and best i found was a guy that said they use to sell ones that fit, but not any more. I gave up and just used the low side.
I have cold air now.
The adaptor kit that I bought came with three different adaptors, and it said that some older cars take yet another type of adaptor, and if you needed that one you could mail them your unused adaptor and they would send you the right one. You are referring to the high side adaptor I'm guessing? I dunno why their kits are different, the kit I bought (which was just the fittings, not one of the kits they sell that comes with refrigerant and stuff too) worked on my SVX, my 90 Legacy, and my 90 Cressida.

(On a side note, Toyota sells an R134a retrofit kit for their cars, I wonder if Subaru sells a similar kit for Subarus? Might try the Subaru dealer.) I checked the online technical info and didn't see a bulletin regarding retrofits, might want to contact the dealer...
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1992 Dodge Ram 4x4 diesel (car hauler)
1968 Dodge Polara convertible (Camaro killer)
1990 Toyota Corolla FWD auto (330,000 mile grocery getter)
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  #27  
Old 06-08-2008, 05:52 AM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondasucks View Post
The adaptor kit that I bought came with three different adaptors, and it said that some older cars take yet another type of adaptor, and if you needed that one you could mail them your unused adaptor and they would send you the right one. You are referring to the high side adaptor I'm guessing? I dunno why their kits are different, the kit I bought (which was just the fittings, not one of the kits they sell that comes with refrigerant and stuff too) worked on my SVX, my 90 Legacy, and my 90 Cressida.

(On a side note, Toyota sells an R134a retrofit kit for their cars, I wonder if Subaru sells a similar kit for Subarus? Might try the Subaru dealer.) I checked the online technical info and didn't see a bulletin regarding retrofits, might want to contact the dealer...
well I am just going to stay with what I have as I don't have any reason to correct this issue now. I have cold air and that is what I wanted. Thanks anyway.

p.s. some universal huh? 'It fits all cars, but if it doesn't fit yours then just give us a call...) lol
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Last edited by YourConfused; 06-08-2008 at 06:00 AM. Reason: lol
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  #28  
Old 06-09-2008, 09:11 PM
Treppiede Treppiede is offline
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Gentlemen,
Thank you so much for your replies.

I have finally gotten the old compressor out (half hour worth of yanking left and right, kept on rubbing against intake manifold, alternator and other things).

I am getting ready to put my "other" compressor in, as you can see in this pic:


Before I mount the replacement compressor, all I need to do is drain the old oil out, correct?

Can you guys confirm the correct way to do this? Do I simply put it upside down and let it drip, or do I remove one of the bolts (there's one on top and one on the back of it)? After I drain as much old oil out of it, can I go ahead and put everything back together and take it to the shop to get refilled?

Thanks for confirming everything.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondasucks View Post
...how much oil to use, which you can just pour into the compressor before you close the system back up.
Hondasucks: I suppose I'll follow your oil-refilling tips AFTER the shop has flushed the system and pulled a vacuum to check for leaks, right before refilling with Freon. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I say this because the oil that's coming out of the compressor right now seems to have small dirt particles inside. Do you know if the machines that they use in AC shops flush the oil compartment of these compressors? I'll have to call and ask the guy I suppose.

Regards,

-Walter
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1993 Civic CX Hatch (daily driver)
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Last edited by Treppiede; 06-09-2008 at 09:15 PM.
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  #29  
Old 06-10-2008, 06:54 PM
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Walter, I just came across this thread. Hopefully not too late to be helpful. I can vouch for the A22/ES-22a/ES-12a/HC-12a refrigerant. I used it (under the last 2 designations) in my '92, and it worked excellently (frigedly)! I didn't have to drain anything or convert anything. It was alot cheaper than the old R-12 freon, comparable in price to R134a, and able to mix with either. According to one posting on some board I came across, R134a is highly carcinogenic, even through skin contact. I can't confirm that, though.

I ended up using quite a bit of the stuff (And R-12 before I discovered this alternative) since after I replaced one component of my A/C system, another would spring a leak, until I had eventually replaced the compressor, receiver-dryer/accumulator, and the condesor! I found all 3 components used in junkyards. I removed the receiver-dryer myself, but I had a shop do all the installation.
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  #30  
Old 06-10-2008, 07:42 PM
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Manarius Manarius is offline
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According to one posting on some board I came across, R134a is highly carcinogenic, even through skin contact. I can't confirm that, though.
Then I'm gonna be getting cancer soon because me and R-134a have become good friends lately.
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