ac problem on a conversion to 134

[west11]

I have a 1993 cavalier had great ac till the clutch went out on my compressor. The repair shop said your ac system is 20 years old you really need a NAPA cool kit new compressor oil orings dryer and 134 all in a kit installed for 600.00 I let them do it it was an r12 system. I pick it up like last night the outside temp 83 high humity vent temps were 50 moving but at red lights the temp went up fast to 65 on hot days at idle in traffic its like I have no ac the shop attitude about it stinks they said we could put on pusher fan for 200 more but no garantee that would fix it another ac person told me he would change the condenser to a parallel flow its about 100 on line plus labor to install . it would help the 134 in traffic and give you lower vent temps he also said you may need to change the valve on the back of the evaporator any advice would be helpful I did notice if I rev the motor at idle it will start to cool better could I have a weak compressor . I am leaning toward a new condenser I have clean the front of my old condenser I do have an aftermarket fan motor and a new radiator my coolant temps in traffic are good but poor ac proformance.

 

[NutBucket]

From what I can read the mechanic changed the compressor, o-rings and dryer but not the orifice valve? You need to have the correct orifice valve or the pressure won't be high enough for the R134 to work effectively.

 

[Bartman39]

From what I can read the mechanic changed the compressor, o-rings and dryer but not the orifice valve? You need to have the correct orifice valve or the pressure won't be high enough for the R134 to work effectively.

+1...

This is a must but it may still not work right as the condenser is more than likely to small but an additional fan may help and cleaning the condenser is a good idea as well... Conversions are what I have said before "crap shoot"...:|

 

[Raizinman]

You already showed how smart you are by putting $600 into a 1993 Cavalier. Better to purchase a more modern car then retrofitting junk.

 

[NutBucket]

Didn't want to be mean but this too.

 

[PottedMeat]

couldn't the clutch have been replaced ?

 

[Pacfanweb]

So it's cooling while going down the road, but not at stops?

Better also check your A/C fan and see if it's running.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, sounds like the fan might not be coming on when you use the A/C.

 

[west11]

Thanks for your response .I pick up my car the other night it was for the 3rd time I had taken it back for poor AC performance . The NAPA cool kit did come with an orifice it seems to have everything you need including the oil new compressor and dryer orings ect. its a complete kit because a lot of shops won't mess with a rebuilt compressor .I agree I should have just put on a new clutch but being 18 just out of high school I was taken by a greedy shop owner who made me think that was a waste of money on a 20 year old compressor . I use to trust this man I even bought the little cavalier from him he got it from someone not paying their repair bill. The 1st time it went back was due to all the 134 leak out due to a fitting or oring they did fix the leak and recharge but didn't vacume the system could I have moisture in my system I over heard the mechanic that work on my car say he had trouble getting all the r12 out of the condenser could some r12 have mix with the 134 causing poor cooling at idle The shop owner don't want to see me unless I am going to spend 200 on a pusher fan I don't trust this shop owner anymore cause he don't give a damn about nothing but money so I have learn a lot about AC in the last month and I'm sure not as smart as some of you so I need your help trying to decide if I poor more money into this car I need to make the correct decision. I have no credit to get another car unless I use my job and go to one of those places that charge high retail and 20 percent interest . This is my 1st car and I work hard for it . I wish I had a better one but this is the best I can do and it is a nice for a 93 cavalier but your right I m dealing with a 1000 car where do you stop.

 

[Raizinman]

Not knowing exactly the model, mileage, condition of the Cavalier, Kelley Blue Book lists the price anywhere between $600 to $1000. Without an A/C it would certainly fall closer to the $600 range. There is a reason you don't see any Cavaliers on the road these days. They don't last and require more than the average amount of maintenance. This will not be the only expense you will be dealing with. Time to either trade or sell it and move up a bit. This car will 'nickel and dime' you to an early grave. Mechanics will also be hesitant to even want to work on this type of car. Putting good money into this type of car will continually get you frustrated and unhappy as you already are from the A/C. Even with bad credit, you can find transportation. Sell or pawn some of your items, get a family loan, borrow a bit from friends, etc. Then sell the Cavalier and find something better.

 

[bruceb]

That second tech, who suggested the newer condenser is on the right track. R134 systems need a larger condenser to get rid of the heat. Also check to be sure your cooling fans are running when at idle and the AC turned on. If they are not, the AC temp and engine temp will rise in traffic. The amount of charge in R134 is also critical. A little off optimum amount, high or low and it will not cool correctly. Rule of thumb is to expect about 20 or so degrees between outside temp and car inside temp. Air coming out the vents might get down to 50 or so on a well engineered ac system.

 

[west11]

I thank you I was thinking the same thing. I found a high performance parallel flow aluminum condenser on the internet a direct fit for 95.00 What do you think the labor should be to install and recharge the system it may need a vacuum also not sure.

 

[bruceb]

All depends on the city / state you are in, but I would expect about 2 hrs of labor. Around here that is about $90 per hour. Depending on how hard it is to get to, it can take 30 mins or more just to swap in the new condenser. Then the ac must be pulled down on a vacuum, leak checked and charged.