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Car AC gets cold, but only after a while of driving

lv6l on Mon June 23, 2008 6:38 PM User is offline

Year: 1994
Make: Honda
Model: Civic
Engine Size: 1.6L
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Ambient Temp: 90F
Country of Origin: United States

My car blows cold, I stuck a thermometer in the vent and after about 30 min. of constant driving it was able to make it down to about 35 degrees F. But once the cabin gets to that temperature then it stays cold. If I turn it on and let the car sits on idle it will never blow cold. It will get cool, but not cold. And on super hot days like 90F plus then it will take forever to reach cold cabin. Any ideas? Thanks

Edited: Tue June 24, 2008 at 4:34 AM by lv6l

lv6l on Tue June 24, 2008 4:34 AM User is offline

bump

Chick on Tue June 24, 2008 6:51 AM User is offlineView users profile

If you car has a sight glass, check for bubbles, feel the return line (suction) to the compressor. Should be cold all the way back. Pressures will be needed to properly diagnose the system..Hope this helps..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Cussboy on Tue June 24, 2008 9:46 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: lv6l
And on super hot days like 90F plus then it will take forever to reach cold cabin.

Like above, you need to read pressures and report, both sides. You may be a little low on refrigerant, but don't go blindly adding any without KNOWING. When was the last time anything was done on the AC system? And 90F days are nothing, it's been over 110F here for over two weeks, no end in sight (Phoenix).

lv6l on Wed June 25, 2008 12:15 AM User is offline

Yeah exactly 90F and my car is not performing how it should be, thats why I am concern. I took a readings and at the car idle the low side reads about 31psi. High is about 190-200psi. When I rev the motor, the high side goes up and the low side goes down. What does this mean?

2005Equinox on Wed June 25, 2008 2:51 AM User is offline

It could be 90 degrees and humid like it gets here. When its like that its the worst.

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2008 Chevrolet Impala LS
1981 Pontiac Bonneville


2007 Sears Craftsman Lawn Tractor


1985 Chevrolet Caprice


1986 John Deere 165 lawn tractor

lv6l on Wed June 25, 2008 3:22 PM User is offline

Wow, Im glad i'm not in that situation. But can anyone explain to me what the HIGH and LOW side means. On gauge I should be looking at the most inner number PSI right? What does it mean for HIGH and LOW side. Thank you.

Quote
Originally posted by: lv6l
Yeah exactly 90F and my car is not performing how it should be, thats why I am concern. I took a readings and at the car idle the low side reads about 31psi. High is about 190-200psi. When I rev the motor, the high side goes up and the low side goes down. What does this mean?

mk378 on Wed June 25, 2008 4:53 PM User is offline

The big numbers around the outside of the gauge dial are psi on a gauge sold for the US market. Ignore the inner scales that are calibrated in temperature for various refrigerants.

lv6l on Sun June 29, 2008 3:31 PM User is offline

I did all my test and now I think I have a weak compressor. I took out my gauge and measures the ambient temperature and got 65F. I put in the gauge and turn the car on. The high side should be at around 143. But my high side sits around 115-120. It cannot get any higher than that. And I know this is weird because I put more than enough freon in. But now that is my best guess and I am not 100% sure so I cam on here to ask is there a way to test the compressor to make sure it's still strong? Thanks.

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