A/C woes

[DR.Q]

Help, I'm having some intermittent probs with my A/C in my 1991 Q45. Sometimes it blows cool and sometimes warm. I read on the service history where there was a loose connection on the back of the climate control that the previous owner had fixed at the dealer. I vacced it out and changed it over to 134a and it does the same thing. It seems that the compressor is engaging properly and there aren't any leaks. Do I need a new compressor? Thanks.

Stephen

[DAEDALUS]

You need a set of gauges to know for sure. They aren't too expensive, and may be rented or borrowed too probably. Intermittent sounds electrical in nature. When you converted, did you replace the temp/pressure switches and receiver/drier?

[DR.Q]

You need a set of gauges to know for sure. They aren't too expensive, and may be rented or borrowed too probably. Intermittent sounds electrical in nature. When you converted, did you replace the temp/pressure switches and receiver/drier?

No I didn't. Thanks for the input.

[maxnix]

Maybe time to return to R12, if rubber is not destroyed. R134a uses a different lubricant also.

Please do a search and read Q45tech's discussions on conversions and what's entailed.

[Q45tech]

The problem with conversion is that the older Q condenser just doesn't have enough area to work well with R134a. Even factory warns at best the outlet temp will be 4-5F warmer..........that's 15% less capacity and 15% longer time to drop the temp to a higher minimum.

Not a good situation to save the $100 in R12 especially if you carry passengers.

[louiegz]

So what year did the Q switch from R12 to R134a? I'm assuming that my 95 is R134a because that about the time that things were switching over. My 94 Accord was R134a. I use to charge my 86 Cavalier with R12 myself. Had a leak that lost all the R12 yearly.

[DAEDALUS]

I *thought* 1993 was the mandated year of conversion. Since the 1993 FSM specifies R-12, I would hazard a guess that the 1994 model year was the first to use R-134a.

[DR.Q]

Well, the type of gas is not causing my problem. It works exactly the same with the 134a as it did with the 12.

[maxnix]

The gases have different characteristics, hence the differently sized evaporator and condenser coils, besides having different seals and lubricants. So, while the R134a did not help it, the AC system is still designed for R12 and its characteristics for proper operation.

1994 is the changeover model year for R134a.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!