A/C Recharge?

[Accordlover]

Well, it's heating up here, and the A/C in the Accord has never been outstanding, but it takes a good 6-8minutes on a 90+ degree day to stay cool. I've never had the system recharged, and suprisingly, my ususal honda repair shop is saying not to recharge it unless it's leaking refiridgerant. Now I had my flat fixed at a sears yesterday, and they say that I shoud get it recharged as the chemicals in the freon break down over time, and that ****ing the old stuff out, and putting new in will keep the system properly lubricated, give me faster cooling times (with cooler air), and prevent excessive wear and tear on the compressor.

I know the guy who works at the Sears, they want $124.95 for the service. As much as I'm anti non-Honda, it's just Refridgerant. Right?

Is it something I should do?

[thesteve151]

i am also looking to recharge mine soon.
i thought they just toped it off.
my local shop i go to will top it off for $40
i think all freon is the same.

[Accordlover]

Yeah, well in the 1996+ Accords, I know for sure there is no conversion, 1995's idk.

I think they **** the old out to get any contamination out of the system, as well as liquid was what the tech told me.

[mwmcginn]

I would just do it your self and add more. I wouldn't mess with a system that is over 10 years old and working!

[James.uk]

When I had my Accord done last summer, the engineer told me all car air con units need refilling every two years to stay efficient.. It costs £30 here, thats about $60 US.. Well worth the money to keep cool I imagine.. Not so usefull in the UK as we don't get many days over mid 80's f 28c ish? here. Thou having said that, we have had more hot days than normal over the last few years..
.

[Accordlover]

Originally Posted by mwmcginn

I would just do it your self and add more. I wouldn't mess with a system that is over 10 years old and working!

How easy is it to do on an Accord? Is the hookup easily accesible? Any recommended recharge kit brands?

[mwmcginn]

Its usally a pretty easy job, especially if you get one of the kits with the gauge in it. They can be found at autozone, etc. Dont really know the brand. The connectors are pretty smartly done. This thing will only connect to a low pressure port on your car. You are looking for a blue or gray cap on one of the A/C lines with an "L" on it.

[Accordlover]

to bring this back from the dead....

I'm due for some servicing to my noble steed. So I figured I'd throw this into the mix, becuase the A/C is just not quickly effective anymore. It takes a long time to cool down, but it can freeze you out once it gets there. I figure a recharge would only help, even if just a little. Here's a question for you A/C guys!

I'm looking at the recharge kits, do I want one that comes with the guage, or is it cheaper to go out and buy one? Also, I pulled this list up; http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/B...002308/c-10101

See anything there that you've used before and liked? I found the recharge port on my Accord, it's in a great location, very easy to get to! Lastly, if I accidentally overcharge it, is there any way at all to take off some of the charge?

Thanks

[Accordlover]

Well after a search I find that discharging from an overcharge is illegal and bad for the planet. Won't do that then!

[stiller fan]

mine has needed it for years....

i should go to sears myself as well.... probably next payday....

[mwmcginn]

Is it illegal to discharge 134a? I thought it was environmentally friendly so it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe I am living in the past.

[Accordlover]

Originally Posted by stiller fan

mine has needed it for years....

i should go to sears myself as well.... probably next payday....

They want like $150, but that includes the discharge and recharge. Deciding if that's worth it or not, I mean if the stuff in there isn't contaminated, why do I need to remove it? Might as well just add to it.

[Foreign_Wide]

Licensed recharge stations recycle the freon with machines designed to do it.

Any system can be converted to 134A if you remove the old refrigerant oil. Some mechanics do this by removing the compressor, and simply standing it on end and draining it of the old oil.

[mickey1987]

Originally Posted by Accordlover

to bring this back from the dead....

I'm due for some servicing to my noble steed. So I figured I'd throw this into the mix, becuase the A/C is just not quickly effective anymore. It takes a long time to cool down, but it can freeze you out once it gets there. I figure a recharge would only help, even if just a little. Here's a question for you A/C guys!

I'm looking at the recharge kits, do I want one that comes with the guage, or is it cheaper to go out and buy one? Also, I pulled this list up; http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/B...002308/c-10101

See anything there that you've used before and liked? I found the recharge port on my Accord, it's in a great location, very easy to get to! Lastly, if I accidentally overcharge it, is there any way at all to take off some of the charge?

Thanks

If it gets REAL COLD then you dont need a charge... You can get a AC Thermometer ...put it in your vent and see how cold it gets..

you can get it at your local auto parts store....It looks like this

http://www.shop.com/op/~A_C_Test_The...6?sourceid=298


DONT try to fix something thats not broken!!

[Foreign_Wide]

Besides potential damage to compressor seals, too much freon will actually reduce how cold the A/C gets.

Consider an aeresol spray can of something. If you spray some on your skin, it will feel cold. That's because the contents of the can rapidly expand when sprayed and that expansion causes cooling.

An A/C system works in a similar fashion, except the same stuff is cycled over and over.

If the system is over charged, I believe that the "expansion" cycle is compromised yeilding less of a cooling effect