A/C questions

[BlackHat]

My 89 240sx has some serious A/C issues. I know next to nothing about the A/C system as most of the manuals I've seen say to take it to a licensed A/C mechanic and have all the problems fixed. I'm fine with taking my car in when it comes to the r-13 or r-14(?) needing flushed/filled/etc. But I'd like to do something to correct my problem to limit my fees when I get to that mechanic (or maybe it's something I can do?).

Anyway, I got my 240 about 2 months ago and have been addressing all of the other mechanical problems when I noticed the Compressor belt wasn't even there. I knew that probably ment there were problems with the A/C but I figured I better try it out anyway and put the belt on (was replacing water pump at the time anyway). Well, sure enough the A/C does nothing (that's not true, it actually heats up the air coming through it) and even does a groovy screech when I start up the car sometimes.

My question is, what could be wrong? Does someone have a link or some info they could pass to me to help figure out what could be wrong? I know the A/C hasn't been converted to the newer freon(sp?) and is still on r13, but other than that I'm clueless.

Thanks!

[240marcuSX]

I think that you mean it still uses R-12 refrigerant. Mine wasnt working when i got my car either, i think it was the evap core.

but anyway, i took my ac out because it was too expensive to fix. saved the weight.

1. check to make sure it still has refrigerant in it.2. See if the evaporator core is doing its job, whatever that might be, youll probably need a mechanic for this.

[BlackHat]

I was afraid it would come to something like that. The mechanic wouldn't even touch the thing untill I agreed to have it converted to the newer stuff. The $400+ price tag just for that made me wince... I really didn't want to have to pull the A/C because it gets HOT in S. GA during the summer (Not to mention the bugs reinact the Zulu movie every time I go outside...).

[240marcuSX]

I feel your pain. I can barely get away with it here in Central VA during the summer.

It just depends on where you place your values, but if it were me, in S. GA, i would probably get it fixed. That could be a good selling point once you decide to sell it, if you ever do.

[BlackHat]

I do have a 98 ka24de ac compressor that I got from another engine (happened to grab it from a friends dead engine). That wouldn't happen to be the newer version would it? Also, is it something that you can get rebuilt? I have no clue what they do to convert to the newer freon usage, but I figured it couldn't hurt to hang on to the compressor. At the very least I'll use it instead (it's 9 years newer anyway), if it's compatable.

[240marcuSX]

Im pretty sure that its not compatible. I dont know what exactly they change to retrofit from R-12 to R-14a.

But you should be able to find someplace that will still use R-12, the guy that i was going to have mine was able to use R-12. It is just much more expensive to use than R14a.

[chifarmer]

Get the retrofit kit at any auto parts store. Cost you about $30 with the new fittings, etc., manifold, gauge, refrigerant (I think it's R45?). Comaptible with all the old stuff. I did it on my '89 and found the rubber hose from the compressor was leaking right where it passes over the exhaust manifold (heat crack). So I cut out the bad section and replaced it with a brass hose coupling and a couple of hose clamps. Put in more refrigerant and it has now run for two summers that way.

Dave

[BlackHat]

Do you know if the 98 kade compressor would work on the 89 kae? Or is that a completely different animal?