Topic: Honda civic 91's a/c system low/high side service ports

[Red Line]

Hi folks

     My 91 civic's a/c is dead,and I want to use Red Tek's recharging kit 'cause I have (Actually, used to have) the ol' school freon.  A conversion would be too expensive and pointless considering the cars age, and Red Tek's specs seem promissing.  Problem is I'm not sure which service port is the right one.  Normally the blue is refered to as the low service port, and the red one as the high one...Mine are grey and black  .  One is higher than the other, but I 'm not goin' to chance it half a$$ed.

I also can't find the OEM tag indicating the amount of refrigerant needed in the system.  I don't want to risk overcharging the system 'cause the compressor works fine.

For those of you who want to check out an instructional video.
http://www.redtek.com/techinfo.html

                                                                                            Thanks guys & galls

[barrie1]

Usually the high side is the higher one in location under the hood. I would suggest going to a dealership and just ask the service manager which one to hook onto. They should be able to tell you how many lbs as well but I suspect around 2.5- 2.3/4 lbs for that vehicle. Hope this helps.   

[Red Line]

Thanks barrie1,

     I kinda figured I'd have to do that   I might try sometime next week.  I was just hoping somebody might have already tried recharging there civic's system, or at least used the Red Tek kit on there car.  Earlier, I tried pressing what I think is the low pressure ports valve and there still seems to be pressure.  It didn't come out cold like I expected.  Any input on this?  Anyways, I'll definitly let you guys know how it turns out.     
                                                                                                 Thanks again,

                                                                                         

[articsteve]

I also can't find the OEM tag indicating the amount of refrigerant needed in the system

The problem with the Red Tek kit is the filler hose has no gage.  You need a pressure gage to top up refrigerant.  Turn on AC, start to fill the low service port which is usually the thinest line and usually has the black cap, and once you see 40-45 lbs. you stop filling.

[yugrus]

Refrigerant capacity is 30-33ozs. Oil capacity is 4.0-4.4ozs.
Just for the reference, operation pressures are the following: High-320psi; Low-36psi

[articsteve]

If you connect one of those cans to the high port it will blow up in your hand.

[Red Line]

I know, that's why I'm asking you guys .  I did figure on checking with Honda (like barrie1 suggested) for the capacity of the system, and at the same time ask them to show me which port is which.  I also figured on using a thermometer to slowly check on the a/c cooling progress, if it started to rise again, that would be my queue to stop.Thanks for your help guys, it's really appreciated.

                                                                                         Red Line

[Red Line]

Ooups!  I forgot to mention that this morning I checked the top glass of the receiver-driver expecting it to show foam, but it didn't.  Can the system be low/out and still show clear refrigerant circulating?

[barrie1]

I am hoping the dryer is still OK in your system as a damaged dryer can ruin it as well. Use a meat thermometer in the vent closest to the Compressor as that will be the coldest vent. Its closer to the compressor is the reason why. I have a proper thermometer myself but a cooking one will serve yoiur purpose very well. 

[Red Line]

Good stuff, thanks a bunch.

I'll keep you all posted...probably not today, I have to help move some friends (Joy!  )

                                                                                 Happy Canada day as well.

[articsteve]

I also figured on using a thermometer to slowly check on the a/c cooling progress, if it started to rise again, that would be my queue to stop.

You will exceed maximum pressure before that happens.

You need to assume that there is still some R12 remaining in the system.  You need a pressure gage to fill it safely.  Knowing the capacity doesn't do it.  That is the missing link with the RedTek stuff.  They cheaped out.

[safristi]

. ...

[Red Line]

I also figured on using a thermometer to slowly check on the a/c cooling progress, if it started to rise again, that would be my queue to stop.

You will exceed maximum pressure before that happens.

You need to assume that there is still some R12 remaining in the system.  You need a pressure gage to fill it safely.  Knowing the capacity doesn't do it.  That is the missing link with the RedTek stuff.  They cheaped out.

Thanks for your concerne articsteve,

     The kit shown is not exactly like the one on Red Tek's webiste, the Red Tek from CT does come with a pressure gauge
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6889/123dx9.jpg
   So fare, I've gotten slightly different capacity indications from everybody I've asked.  I'm going to Lombardi Honda tomorrow (that's my plan, anyways) so maybe they'll clarify things a bit.  I'm more concerned with making sure which is the low port.  Gloves and protective eyeware are definitly a must.

I know it's recommended to keep the pressur between 30-38psi (Definitly won't go too far passed 40psi, and whatever Freon capacity my system has, I need to ad only 1/3 of that.  Like I said before, I don't intend on doing this half a$$ed.
And I'm doing my homework as best possible.

It's really cool that everybody here is so helpfull with peoples dilemmas, that's probably the reason for this site's succes.
I'm not sure about safristi...I think he's coming on to me

[articsteve]

The yellow hose is from a Red Tek kit and is pretty much useless for topping up.  The blue hose is what ppl need.  Shake the bottle well and then fill holding upside down.

If you barley turn the valve and the needle jumps into the yellow then your probably on the high side port.

Don't smoke. 

[Red Line]

I finaly managed to speak to a service manager after we spent a better part of the day leaving eachother messages on our voice mail.  I was told that my system can take about 10.5ozs worth of Freon.  They also told me that the low pressure service port was the bigger one of the two, and it's the higher one of the two lines.  I'm still gonna check if the needle jumps to the yellow zone, just to make sure.   

Shake the bottle well and then fill holding upside down.

  articsteve, are you sure this is the most efficiant method? 

[articsteve]

Quote
Shake the bottle well and then fill holding upside down.
  articsteve, are you sure this is the most efficiant method? 

Not sure I understand your question. 

The Red Tek can will say "hold this end up for charging" and it will display arrows pointing to the bottom of the can.  So you definitely need to hold the can upside down.  As for shaking thats up to you.  The 134a stuff you definitely need to shake.  Since your installing propane or butane or whatever it is exactly, I suppose shaking isn't going to matter much, but I shake it anyways.

I'd be inclined to drive to a place that services Hondas and pay 20 bucks to have somebody come out and point out the low pressure service port with their finger. 

Hope it works out.

[safristi]

 this thread me reminds me of the OLDE Rowan & MARTIN awards................. guess my B/F RedLine guessed wrong..or has been FROZEN in STONE....

[Red Line]

Hi guys,

     My question was about the shacking part...I was just wondering why you thought it was a good idea.
 
     Well long story short...I still got 10 fingers, and now I got cold air blowin' in that there civic 'o mine.
Tried it Saturday morning, and it's a good thing it came with 2 cans.  I hooked everything up (Probably the hardest part, very tight squeeze), but when I started releasing the coolant, some of it was seeping out around the edges of the hydraulic coupler , so I tried pushing it down more, but it popped off.  Closing the valve just slowed the spraying a bit, so I put it a side 'till it stopped.  Second can worked perfectly.  I just put about 32psi worth 'cause I didn't want to take a chance overcharging the system.  Reved the engine for a couple of seconds and checked the thermometer placed against the center vent, read 9°C.  Not bad considering the car fan was blowing about 25°C before. 

     Ran fine Sunday and today.  I'm gonna check it from time to time and see how long it lasts.  Would I suggest it to anybody...yup!  I didn't have much to loose considering my system needed R12, 50 bucks and 15 minutes of my time was a good investment.

       Thanks a lot for everybodies help, especially you safristi