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Thread: Air con re-gas/top up?

  1. Default Air con re-gas/top up?

    Taking my ‘91 model in for the air con to be re gassed or topped up. Anything I should be aware of to avoid perhaps before I take it in?

  2. #2
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    New receiver? Maybe new valve inserts.

  3. #3
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    He probably won't have R12, unless he has an old secret stash..... So will probably have to fit port adaptors for his R134 machine....
    aka Jonathan!!

    '92 charlotte green auto.... as a daily
    '37 Ford Y street rod......... something for the weekend!

    ...... if a photobucket pic is foggy, click it, and it'll take you to the clear version, yes, it's a clicking faff....

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    Retrofit Kit?

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    Hi, Philip.
    I think I know your NSX but not easy for me to link the userID with each owner so I'm going to just reply as a general guidance and not specific to the condition of your HVAC system.

    If it's 91 model and since we are in Europe, R12 is prohibited unless it's already in use inside the existing system so can't be topped up or re-gassed.
    Probably already converted or using alternative refrigerant.



    Not sure how many years it took before you started feeling the needs for the a/c service but to answer your question, it all depends on the health of your system.

    If you have slow leakage that takes years before you start feeling the drop in a/c performance, then topping up can be a candidate for a quick temporary fix to keep you moving.

    Please remember that the compressor oil travels throughout the system via refrigerant and if you are losing it, you are also leaking the oil outside as well as reducing the amount returning to the compressor chamber.
    NSX A/C control doesn't have high rpm protection algorithm so even when you are in VTEC region, it will engage the compressor.
    Eventually, it will kill the compressor due to lack of lubrication.


    If you are feeling the lack of performance within a few years, take it to the a/c specialist, have it leak tested, fix it and re-fill from scratch.
    When evacuating the remaining refrigerant, the HVAC station would tell how much oil was taken out during the process although it doesn't tell how much was lost through the leakage.
    A/C specialist should be able to tell you the next step to follow.


    If you need to keep doing something every year with your system, it's time to consider major service before it gets to the worst case scenario.
    You don't want the compressor getting really noisey and splashing the metal flakes everywhere inside the pipe and the condenser(s).



    I'll be doing the major service for another owner in the near future….




    Kaz

  6. Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaz-kzukNA1 View Post
    Hi, Philip.
    I think I know your NSX but not easy for me to link the userID with each owner so I'm going to just reply as a general guidance and not specific to the condition of your HVAC system.

    If it's 91 model and since we are in Europe, R12 is prohibited unless it's already in use inside the existing system so can't be topped up or re-gassed.
    Probably already converted or using alternative refrigerant.



    Not sure how many years it took before you started feeling the needs for the a/c service but to answer your question, it all depends on the health of your system.

    If you have slow leakage that takes years before you start feeling the drop in a/c performance, then topping up can be a candidate for a quick temporary fix to keep you moving.

    Please remember that the compressor oil travels throughout the system via refrigerant and if you are losing it, you are also leaking the oil outside as well as reducing the amount returning to the compressor chamber.
    NSX A/C control doesn't have high rpm protection algorithm so even when you are in VTEC region, it will engage the compressor.
    Eventually, it will kill the compressor due to lack of lubrication.


    If you are feeling the lack of performance within a few years, take it to the a/c specialist, have it leak tested, fix it and re-fill from scratch.
    When evacuating the remaining refrigerant, the HVAC station would tell how much oil was taken out during the process although it doesn't tell how much was lost through the leakage.
    A/C specialist should be able to tell you the next step to follow.


    If you need to keep doing something every year with your system, it's time to consider major service before it gets to the worst case scenario.
    You don't want the compressor getting really noisey and splashing the metal flakes everywhere inside the pipe and the condenser(s).



    I'll be doing the major service for another owner in the near future….




    Kaz
    Hi Kaz,
    you do indeed know my car. You had it for a couple f months and carried out a lot of work on it which you blogged on this forum.
    The reason I want it re gassed is not because of any leaks. It’s purely because it’s not blowing out ice cold air any more.

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    Hi, Phil.

    From the photo I took and also as in the Health Check report, your drier/receiver sight glass was already showing/stained in brown debris several years ago.

    I couldn't see the refrigerant flow but at that time, I wrote that at least your a/c was still working.

    I don't know exactly when you got that brown marking/stain.

    There was a sign of leakage at the bulkhead where the evaporator fittings are located near the blower fan motor housing.

    If you are saying that your a/c is no longer blowing ice cold in just a few years, then as mentioned above, please take it to the a/c specialist, measure the pressure and inspect for the leakage first.

    Also, you can check the 2 x 10A fuse for the R & L Condenser fans inside the pentagonal/octagonal black box under the bonnet.
    You can listen for the high speed fan motor sound just in front of each front tyres.
    If you can't hear them, the fuse is blown or the motor has seized.
    When the car is at speed, there will be enough air flow than the fan speed so your a/c still should work under this condition.
    You can spray water at the condenser fins to see any changes in 'condensing' efficiency.

    It is there to 'condense' the high pressure/temperature refrigerant gas into liquid state by releasing the energy by cooling it down when passing through the condenser.

    Therefore, if the high side pressure is not high enough, condenser fan not operating or condenser fins are all blocked, it can't condense the refrigerant efficiently and thus, allowing gas state of refrigerant into the exp valve resulting in not ice cold air.

    Regards,
    Kaz

  8. Default

    Thanks for the info Kaz, I will pass your comments on to the air con guys and see what transpires.

    Many thanks,

    Phil

  9. Default

    Well this is turning out to be not so straightforward. The garage tell me that I have an outlawed fluid in my system, and to renew with the latest spec fluid, I need a new pump and condensor. They are now trying to track down the parts needed.

  10. #10
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    Alert! Cheat-Alert!

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