S13 A/C - What can I expect?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I know this is kind of a lame topic but, what can I expect from the s13 A/C system? Is it cold? Does it suck? Does it use the newer freon? That kinda stuff.

I'm going to be getting my A/C going as summer is approaching and it's like death without A/C out here. The previous owner said it only needs a compressor but I haven't really looked. Are there any parts that tend to wear out/break frequently?

Feel free to chime in! Thanks.

[1KleenS13]

Stock systems use R12, you can still get it charged but is more expensive. My car has 196K on it with the original R12. Stills blows cold and I dont even have a clutch fan anymore to pull more air through the condenser, just the stock electric fan. You can convert the car to R134a, but its not as good as R12. The stock system isnt that bad, but i've been in cars that were alot better.

[nitsujvg]

agreed. the stock a/c is decently cold, but i've noticed that if you turn it off once the car reaches a suitable temperature, the sun seems to bake through the car fairly easily.

i'm at 150K and still stock r12 as well.

[amolao]

The AC in the DOHC runs a lot more efficient than the weak cool breeze in the SOHC.

If you were told that you need a compressor, there is a good chance that you will also end up replacing the dryer and condenser. The expensive part is the compressor, but you can get remanufactured units in Ebay with a warranty fairly cheap.

[StandardProspect]

I just pulled my a/c out if my twincam, it worked when I bought the car, but after a while it stopped blowing cold air. It was a r134a system. E- mail me if someone needs parts from it.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

The AC in the DOHC runs a lot more efficient than the weak cool breeze in the SOHC.

If you were told that you need a compressor, there is a good chance that you will also end up replacing the dryer and condenser. The expensive part is the compressor, but you can get remanufactured units in Ebay with a warranty fairly cheap.

Is there any way I can adapt/use the DOHC system or get the same performance (fairly easily)? What makes the DOHC system any better? The deal with my system is the compressor isn't there, they took it out. I haven't really looked at the system but will probably this weekend.

[mexicanracer03]

you can just simply use R134 adaptors on you lines. You realy don't have to use a vaccume on the system.

Just use a few Cans of R134 and your good to go. Make sure your car is on and A/C full blast. GL

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Bump for anyone that cares!

[vocationalzero]

you can just simply use R134 adaptors on you lines. You realy don't have to use a vaccume on the system.

Just use a few Cans of R134 and your good to go. Make sure your car is on and A/C full blast. GL

^^^^^^^^He's never done a/c work before^^^^^^If you have to much freon in the a/c lines it will NOT blow cold at all. And to go from R12 system (95 and older I believe) you have to do what's call retro-fit. Which involves replacing the o-rings, usually, and getting new fittings. It's a pain in the *** honestly and that's why a/c work pays so well too. Cause you have to use a different oil for the a/c compressor when you go to r134a. I know this cause I work at a parts store for the last couple years and tons of people want to know how to fix the a/c. To go to r134a you also HAVE to vacuum the system because you will over charge, like I stated before. I have a/c work I live in central Texas and I just live without it (haven't had a/c in my car for 3 or 4 years I think...)

[pmkls2]

Most popular R134 conversion kits contain refrigerant and oil that is compatible with the original R12 oil and seals and mixes just fine. Also, there are a few things that one needs to know when converting and/or servicing a/c systems. First, when you convert to R134 fron R12 you only charge the system to about 90% of the specified system capacity. Any time that you recover and recharge the system it needs to have a vacuum pulled on it to ensure that all of the air and more importantly moisture is removed. R134 is less efficient than R12 so when doing a conversion the system will not perform as well as with R12. As far as how well the system on a s13 works, its mediocre. I converted my sohc several years ago when it ran low on R12 simply because my shop quit selling R12 completely. I have removed my belt driven fan and have a dual electric fan setup along with the original condenser fan and I have it wired so that all 3 run with the a/c compressor on. Even with the battery of fans I have on the car the a/c sucks in heavy traffic. However, on the open highway the a/c will freeze me out of the car. To cut to the chase, it is probably best to have somebody with a/c service equipment charge the system and the a/c on these cars works ok, but I've seen worse.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Sooooo.......

Is my sohc a/c sufficient?Should I convert to the newer freon?If I do, will it be colder?Which is cheaper/better choice?

I'm just looking for a reliable, cold, a/c.

[pmkls2]

Well, if you don't have an a/c system already charged with R12 it will be both difficult to find and pretty expensive to use R12 so your most economical option is R134. From an operational standpoint the R134 will not be as cold as the R12. And as far as how well you can expect your system to function it should be reliable given it does not have any leaks and I cant't give you a straight answer on performance. I would recommend that you replace the expansion valve and all of the system seals to ensure the best operation and prevent leaks. But, given that you live in AZ and I have only had experience with my own 240 a/c your a/c performance may be different than mine.