Integra type R air con reinstate

[John Kirkham]

I have an integra that has not had the a/c working for at least three yrs (no belt and lost tensioner ass complete) I have just acquired a new tensioning ass and intend to reinstate the a/c system.I do have a set of gauges and know it is still holding at least some pressure having blipt one of the connectors.I am concerned about problems I might encounter because of the lack of use, things like possible water in the system and the possible condition of the compressor and dryer.
Was considering to install new belt and tensioner and see what happens when starting up and turning on a/c and if nothing untoward happens connecting the gauges and assessing the performance is this frought with problems.
Any advise much appreciated

Tegranut

Topic

[college man]

Put the tensioner on and the belt and see if it blows cold. If it blows cold do nothing else.
if not cold put the gauges on and go from there.

[John Kirkham]

Yes I’m sure you are one of my problems at the moment is that the temps around zero at the moment here and I am wondering if it will actually switch on in these conditions and after the long dormant period I’m worried that any moisture in the system might turn to ice and destroy the compressor, and also if the compressor is more than likely to be siezed having not turned at all in many years I suppose that might produce a loud screech from the belt or rip it to bits …..thanks for your input

[college man]

[quote=”Tegranut” post=192159]Yes I’m sure you are one of my problems at the moment is that the temps around zero at the moment here and I am wondering if it will actually switch on in these conditions and after the long dormant period I’m worried that any moisture in the system might turn to ice and destroy the compressor, and also if the compressor is more than likely to be siezed having not turned at all in many years I suppose that might produce a loud screech from the belt or rip it to bits …..thanks for your input[/quote]

If its cold where you are. wait for warmer weather. Its not good to run an a/c system in cold weather. If the system
still has refrigerant in it then the system is still sealed and moisture should not be a problem.

[John Kirkham]

Thanks again College man for your reply,I have now reconnected the belt and tensioner and run the engine and the compressor pully is spinning freely but when I turn the a/c on it would appear that the clutch is not engaging and spinning with the pully, I believe some compressors have internal clutches but don’t know if that would be the type fitted to my car and thinking probably not.I am now thinking it might be one of two things the first being that the pressure in the system is not enough to start the compressor or maybe there is an outside temp sensor that stops the compressor working or perhaps a passenger compartment temp sensor that stop it working if the temp is too low.
I heated the car up to nice and toasty to see if this made a difference and then turned the a/c on but it stil didn’t engage the clutch so is there an exterior temp sensor that might be in play here and if so where might it be situated, I was thinking of warming it with a hair dryer to fool it and get the air con to switch on just to check it will work before attaching my gauge set. I would just like to know if the system is actually capable of working, I believe the common perseption here is to leave the a/c on all the time as it helps with demisting in colder weather.I was talking to my son who has two year old Mazda 6 and he says he has to keep his on or the car steams up for fun.

Thanks again for you help any further advise will be much appreciated ..Tegranut

[John Kirkham]

Seems I have been telling porkies I have just connected my gauge set only to find there is zilch nothing nada nout zero non in the way of pressure in the system so I have done a scanner Danner and put compressed air in to see if the compressor would work and it did so that’s one good point already.I put 110psi in and after running the engine it has settled back down to that so now I’m leaving it to see if it drops overnight, which leaves a bit of a mystery if it holds the pressure where did the gas go I think the aliens stole it to power their space craft (only joking)…….Tegranut

[college man]

If the oil has not circulated in awhile the o rings shrink that connect the hoses and leaks develop.
I’m not a fan of using compressed air for leak checking let alone running the compressor. Well you
at least know you have a leak.

[John Kirkham]

I have sprayed a lot of the pipe junctions with soapy water and found a couple of leaks so far,one as the pipe connects to the collector/drier and two on the compressor,one where there seems to be a small hole at the back of the compressor and another on what appears to be where the body itself joins together just behind the main pulley wheel,these seem to be very small leaks and I am wondering if I purge and vacuum the system and then put some refrigerant and oil in then run it if these leaks might seal themselves when the oil gets to the various seals and cause them to expand.I haven’t taken the front bumper off yet to see if there are any leaks around the condensor

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