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Air Conditioner Recharging
What is the proper refrigerant pressure in the A/C system of a 1996 LSi?
I seem to have an A/C leak in my recently purchased SVX When I inspectd it prior to purchase about a month ago, the A/C wasn't working. The seller said that it hadn't been recharged in several years, We agreed that she would have the A/C recharged and inspected to make sure that's all it was. The shop put UV dye in the system and reported that there were no leaks visible. When I closed the deal and picked up the car, the A/C was working fine. About two weeks later, the A/C stopped working. Since the shop that did the original check is over an hour's drive from my home, taking the car back there would involve taking a day off from work, so I can't realistically take it back there. Today, about a week later, I purchased a UV lamp but didn't see any signs of a fluorescent dye. I then bought an Interdynamics recharge kit with guage and also some UV dye. I added the UV dye (thinking that perhaps the garage's dye had been worn/washed away) and let the system run for about 10 minutes, per package instructions. Still no leaks visible. I did check the refrigerant pressure, however, and it was low, at around 18 psi. I recharged it to about 27 psi. I think the 19 oz. refrigerant canister ran out at that point. The Interdynamics packaging said that the "filled" range is from 25-45 psi at 75-85 degrees F. Since it was about 68 degrees when I filled the system, I figured I had added enough. Did I? I don't have a shop manual, and I couldn't find any A/C specs in the owners manual. I plan to check for signs of fluorescent dye and keep track of the A/C sytem pressure a couple of times this week. I would appreciate input from fellow owners on the following: -- What is the proper A/C system pressure? -- Why am I not finding leaks? (I am guessing that there is an internal leak, say in the compressor or elsewhere, that is collecting the dye internally.) -- I also picked up some Interdynamics two-part A/C leak stop. Part one is supposed to fix metal-to-metal leaks and part two is supposed to fix rubber leaks. Is there any reason not to just dump it into the system? Thanks in advance from a novice A/C tech ... |
#2
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If it hasn't been charged in several years then it may still have R-12 system which is illegal to produce now you'll need to spend the money to convert to r-134a and then have it charged.
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86 GMC Jimmy Blue and Silver- R.I.P. 87 Integra RS ~228k miles R.I.P. 92 SVX LS-L Perly ~186k R.I.P. 89 240sx se red ~165k miles Gone and unknown 89 240sx se Black~185k R.I.P. 85 Toyota pickup ~205k R.I.P. 85 BMW 325e ~ Gone and unknown 85 Ford Mustang getting engine swap now! 05 Colorado ~108k Daily Driver |
#3
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Look at the sticker in the car.
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#4
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His is a 96 so it will have R134 as opposed to R12. Only 92's has R12.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#5
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Quote:
Steve
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92 SVX AWD 130,000 w/ rebuilt SVX 4.11 97 Audi A4 1.8T (Daily Driver) 03 Ford Expedition(hers) SVXepidia SVX information warehouse Are you in? My Old Locker A 4.11 Founding Father "Tranny #6" I really need a manual Reading IX [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Ya I was there
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#6
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1. you may have a leak in the portion of the system which is in the dash. if so, it is a pain in the butt to get to.
2. my mechanic does NOT like the leak seal stuff because he has been told that it can much up his discharge a/c recharge system. i presume it works for small leaks, but if a tech ever has to drain the system you may have a problem of having the shop refuse to do it if they know you have the stop leak in the system or have the moral issue of not telling them and harming their equipment. |
#7
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Refrigerant type and capacity are on a sticker on the radiator support.
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
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Quote:
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
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__________________
"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#10
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Ill be getting my system recharged next week.
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1993 25th Anniversary Edition # 156 of 301 ~ 121, 488 miles ( SOLD TO svxfiles 8/6/06) 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i....5spd - My daily driver 2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5i -7k miles..Mom's daily driver 2,543 Member of the SVX World Network |
#11
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Quote:
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#12
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I'd still need to replace the oil in the compressor.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#13
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normally i would agree. however i converted mine to 134a and got it to throw ice cubes at me my thermometer says it's blowing 50 deg from the center vents (gunna get another thermometer to confirm that tho). |
#14
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I've read a number of posts maintaining that R134a isn't as cold as R12, but mine has been converted, and after a couple of minutes of operation, the air from the system is uncomfortably cold on my hands, to the point I have to aim the vents away. In hot, muggy Georgia, no less. Perhaps, technically, there is a degree or two of difference between the two, but in practical terms, 134a is certainly up to the task.
dcb |
#15
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Further
As noted, my 1996 a/c system is R-134a.
How do I check the part of the a/c system inside the dash? |
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