Air Conditioning Question and others on 97 J30

[alexhho]

Hi Everyone,

I have a few questions I hope someone here can help me with.

My AC takes about 10 minutes to get cold, and even when it does it's really not that cold. So I wanted to add some freon to the system, and was wondering if you guys have any suggestions as to how much I should add. I don't have any measuring device, but the local Walmart does sell cans of freon for around $5, so I thought maybe I can just add a quarter of a can at a time to the "L" pressure valve located near the windshield, right?

I also just read a Nissan Article stating that our 97.5 J30 comes with "HomeLink" system. I didn't find that anywhere on the owner's manual, and was just wondering where it's located in the car.

Finally, the article also stated that the J30 comes with both front and back stablizing bars, but when I lifted my hood, I didn't see one running from strut to strut, across the engine block where most smaller cars have them. Is ours under the engine, and if it is, would the J30 benefit from an additional strut that runs across the engine block? Sorry for asking so many questions. Just answer what you can. Thank you.

[DAEDALUS]

I think I've seen cans of R-134a that have a pressure gauge included. About $20 I believe. The L side is the correct side. The fittings won't fit on the high-side anyway.Anti-sway bars will be under the car. A Front Strut Tower Bar (FSTB) would be on top of the engine. Not sure which one you were looking for, but the frame will be stiffer if you add a FSTB.

[alexhho]

Thank you, Daedalus. YOu are always helpful and full of information. You don't by chance know if the J30 does have a homelink? I can't find it anywhere. Take care.

[j30t]

alex, dont think a FSTB will work on the J...they dont make them therefore it would have to be custom and im not really sure if there is even enough clearence from the hood. I might have to get some of that R-134a...it was 30 bucks at advance auto parts. Will it make the car cooler?

[alexhho]

Hi J30t,

I'm hoping that it will make my car cooler. I know that our Js don't run on freon, and so they are not going to be as cold as the freon-ACs. At anyrate, should we be putting in the S-rated oil as well, or can we just add the R-134a by itself?

Do you have a Homelink system in your J30? Here's the article from Nissan that says that all the J30 97.5 come with it standard.

http://www.infinitinews.com/?h...shtml

[j30t]

i have a 93 so nope...im not sure about s-rated oil and all that...i think ill add some r134a stuff though.

[alexhho]

Hang on, J30t. According to a website I read in the past, the 93 J30 uses the old r-12 freon system. You might want to consult your manual to make sure that it doesn't use the old system before adding the r-134a.

[j30t]

thanks...ill check it out in the morning...

[Q45tech]

The specs for AC say that 10 minutes at 2000 rpm is required to reach 50F outlet temperature on closed loop [recirculate], assummimg the the interior is not two warm.

The only way to check it is with a thermometer to graph the temperature vs time vs rpm vs outside temp and humidity.

Then you must study the temp rise per minute after cooling down to minimum when you stop and idle in gear.......how many minutes does it take for the center vent to creep up to 60F from 47-50F.

R134a level is very critical as even a lttle extra will start to degrade performance [unlike R12]......1.75 pounds is usually ideal.2-3-4 ounces EXTRA can make a bad difference just as too little can!

The system needs to be vacuumed down and the R134a weighted, filtered and reinstalled to the correct weight. Good idea to replace the receiver/dryer every 4 years to get new desicant and a new filter.........if compressor life is important to you, optimum cleanliness and pressure must be maintained.

Trash between condenser and radiator, dirty condenser fins, improper auxillary fan activation, dirty evaporator.

[DAEDALUS]

Hang on, J30t. According to a website I read in the past, the 93 J30 uses the old r-12 freon system. You might want to consult your manual to make sure that it doesn't use the old system before adding the r-134a.

A quick look at the AC fittings will tell you what fluid you have. If you have threaded Shraeder valves, similar to those on the tires, then you have the R-12. If you have larger quick-connect fittings, then you have R-134a. Even if an R-12 system is converted, by law the fittings should have been changed and an info sticker placed conspicuously near the system, telling you about the conversion.

Sorry Alex, I don't know about the Homelink.

[alexhho]

Wow! You guys are great. One more question, though. ;-)My turn signal stick is a little loose. Is there a way I can tighten it? Everytime I signal before making a left-hand turn or right hand turn before entering the appropriate lanes for execution, the signal stick will click right back to normal, therefore, turning off the signal lights before I can make the turn. Thanks for everything guys.

[elwesso]

If you are trying to turn left/right, and the stick is depressed while you are steering, it will click back into place.... The way it was designed...... If it doesnt stick all the time, then something is probably broken......

[alexhho]

But I'm not making a hard turn, though. I'm going from the main lane over to the turning lane. That's only a few degrees of turn, and it will click right back. I have to signal again before i can make my turn. I have owned about 6 cars in my time, and none has ever been this light with the turning signal.

[Mayhem_J30]

Is homelink the garage door remote thing? I guess if you don't have the 3 buttons on the visor then you don't have it. That is if it's what I think it is.

[alexhho]

Hi Mayhem,

Yeah! That's what it is. But according to that article from Nissan's website that I posted, every 97.5 J should have it. Oh well.

I just bought a pressure gauge from Walmart that claimed to fit all R-134a low pressure valve. Well, it didn't fit my J30 and a lot of oil and freon leaked. It did come with a rechargeable can with some freon, oil, leak test oil and sealant. I asked the mechanic who works there if the oil is the same as the Infinity recommended S-type oil for the A/C and he said yes. Is this true? And since the low pressure valve is the same as the tire valves, can't we just use the tire gauge to check the pressure? Both as PSI rating, aren't they? I didn't want to try it because I had just thought about it after using the rechargeable can completely. I figure I should run by you guys first.

Chris. You own the EVO VIII? You have GOT to share your experiences with us here. I'm trying to decide whether I should get one of those or a used 2000 Boxster. One the one hand I love the sexy looks and curves of the Boxster. And on the other hand I can't stand the squarish profile of the EVO VIII, but it's growing on me.

[autotech43]

I have never seen a factory homelink system on a J-30, although you could install it on any Infiniti vehicle. The homelink used on Infiniti and other make vehicles is actually made by Stanley tool company. The complete system is made in the visor, with just 12 volts and a ground to make it operate. No control unit or anything such as. Getting a visor to fit and have the same colormatch might be difficult, but with some modifications one might could set one up with not much difficulty.

[DAEDALUS]

No on the tire pressure gauge idea. I'm a bit confused here...your AC fittings are threaded like tire inflation valves? They should be larger, quick-connect types. Unless that was mandated after R-134a was in use, though I thought it was mandated from day 1. Only the R-12 valves are like the tire valves I thought. Regardless, you cannot use tire pressure gauge readers, as the vavles are a little different, and the AC pressures are possibly much higher than what the gauge can handle, even on the low-side. Here's a quick-connect fitting for attaching to R-134a systems:http://www.thetoolwarehouse.ne....html