R134a Adding Freon/Charge

[LotusS4S]

Hello All- My S4S does not blow air as cold as it used to. I've been told by my mechanic that all I need to do is go to PepBoys and purchase R134a Freon and install it. Can someone give me step by step directions on how to go about recharging my R134a freon. I would truly appreciate it!

THANK YOU!

Ed-

S4S

[LotusS4S]

Figured it out...

[fflyingdog]

If i were you i would get someone out to do the job properly as you may have a leak(hence why it needs refilling) this way the guy will vac the system down and find the leak before wasting money just refilling it only for it to leak again,mine has a dye in the system so that when it leaks you can actually see where it has leaked from.Especially if you havnt used the ac much during the winter the seals tend to shrink and let the gas leak past .

Nick Black S4s

[Paul C]

I had a new drier fitted and all fitments changed from the R22 to the new R134

fittings. Expansion valve however is stuck, and so tricky to get to i gave up on it.

Have given serious thought to taking the condensor off altogether and running the

chargecooler through the aircon rad (like the S300)...

[DAVES_GT3]

what was the procedure then ed? i think i may have to do the same on my gt3

cheer dave

[LotusS4S]

Quite simple now.. You first purchase the R134a kit ($15) then you find your AC valve located near the rear right tire. You'll see two thick hoses that are coming from your front radiator/condensor. I jacked the rear of the car several inches in order to get to it easier. You remove the dust cap off of the valve, and insert the R134a hose connection that comes with the kit. (follow the instructions on the box). Once the R134a is activated, turn on your car and set the AC to MAX. It takes about 10-15min per bottle (total of two bottles if totally empty). You'll start to notice that the AC will get VERY cold. That was it.. I know it's best to get rid of all of the old R134a prior to putting in the new stuff.

Ed-

what was the procedure then ed? i think i may have to do the same on my gt3

cheer dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[glynherron]

hi Ed

sounds easy - thats a first (unless as fast as it fille it empties!)

What size/quantity did each bottle hold?

Thanks,

Glyn

S4s (with not chilled air!)

[Dermot]

Changing for R12 to more ozone friendly R134a is a fairly big job. The compressor needs to have a new oil, a new dryer, a new pressure switch.

I have advertised 1 Kg of R12 on my site. I am surprised no one has jumped at it. This is unobtainable now in Europe and would save you a packet in conversion charges.

Dermot

Introduction of 'CFC Free' R134a Air Conditioning System: March '95

S4. VIN: S 2031 (RHD) S 2017 (LHD)

[DAVES_GT3]

nice one ed

where did you get the r134a gas from?

thanks dave

[LotusS4S]

nice one ed

where did you get the r134a gas from?

thanks dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got it at PepBoys Auto. They carry it at most automotive stores. My S4S takes 2.2.

[andyblackman777]

While on the subject of ac are the rubber orings which seal the pipes just plain rubber or are they a special type of o ring

cheers Andy

[CharlieC]

Changing for R12 to more ozone friendly R134a is a fairly big job. The compressor needs to have a new oil, a new dryer, a new pressure switch.

[x6gas]

So my questions:

1. "snap connectors in the suc and dis hoses" - how do I do that then?

2. How do I know how much R134 will fill it?

3. New pressure switch?

I'm not planning on doing this myself but want to get the parts and give the info to the man that will.

Thanks for any advice

Charlie

You don't need to change the schrader valves for snap connectors, but you may need to change all of the air con hoses to less permeable ones, I'm afraid.

As to how much refrigerant to add, and how to find out if you've added enough, and indeed other info on the Esprit's AC system (thanks to Dermot for some of it) there is a "how to" guide at http://www.cytherean.co.uk/esprit/index_files/air_con1.htm

Cheers, Ian

Edited August 20, 2006 by x6gas

[Paul93Lotus]

You don't need to change the schrader valves for snap connectors, but you may need to change all of the air con hoses to less permeable ones, I'm afraid.

As to how much refrigerant to add, and how to find out if you've added enough, and indeed other info on the Esprit's AC system (thanks to Dermot for some of it) there is a "how to" guide at http://www.cytherean.co.uk/esprit/index_files/air_con1.htm

Cheers, Ian

I would imagine that changing the hoses will be prohibitively expensive....cheaper just to periodically add some r134A....a lot cheaper and about $8 US dollars per pound....just hook up a recharge kit periodically if the a/c doesn't feel cooler. I imagine getting the hoses alone would be $300+ just for parts!! I was told by an airconditioning tech that the o-ring replacement is more critical because the freon molecules are smaller in r134a and thus leak by easier, compared to r-12.

Edited August 21, 2006 by Paul93Lotus

[CarlC]

I thought you could just use r134A to recharge the aircon if your not setup with the newer r413 aircon parts?

[x6gas]

R134a is the newer stuff

R413a is drop in replacement for the older R12 used in the Esprit until March 1995.

[CharlieC]

You don't need to change the schrader valves for snap connectors, but you may need to change all of the air con hoses to less permeable ones, I'm afraid.

As to how much refrigerant to add, and how to find out if you've added enough, and indeed other info on the Esprit's AC system (thanks to Dermot for some of it) there is a "how to" guide at http://www.cytherean.co.uk/esprit/index_files/air_con1.htm

Cheers, Ian

Ian, What my engineer is saying he needs a service valve to fill up the system.

From the info on LEW as quoted by Dermot, it says that the new system has the service valves in the hoses.

My problem is where do I find a hose with a service valve in it that fits the S4?

Cheers

Charlie

[x6gas]

There are a couple of service valves on your S4 IIRC - the most easily accessible are the ones identified in my guide located on the air con compressor.

[CharlieC]

Ian - you're talking about these right? http://www.cytherean.co.uk/esprit/index_files/air_con4.htm

Here are my old and new compressors. Its easy to spot which is which.

http://www.glcforum.com/esprit/forums/inde...ost&id=1962

My local Air con engineer is suggesting I drill a hole in the new one for the service valve (blue cap). I'm reluctant to do that without, shall we say, more specilist advice.

What do you think?

Cheers

Charlie

[x6gas]

Ah OK - now I'm with you: I hadn't realized that you were replacing the compressor and that it didn't have sevice valves...There are allegedly service valves on the hoses already - see items 31 and 33 on the attached... I confess I haven't found these on my Esprit, but then I haven't really looked...I guess you could drill and tap the compressor to add the valves, but I'm no expert so wouldn't really like to comment on this

[CharlieC]

Yeah um...sorry Ian, its probably me not being too clear. Thanks for popping up that drawing, I'll have a goosy under the car and report back.

Ta muchly

Charlie

[fflyingdog]

Yeah um...sorry Ian, its probably me not being too clear. Thanks for popping up that drawing, I'll have a goosy under the car and report back.

Ta muchly

Charlie

They are there, but a real pain in the arse to get to,remove lower tray ,and they are sat in front of engine,just follow pipes(suc/return)from compressor,you will find 2 valves 'simply' remove caps and bobs your uncle.Of course it helps if you are very short and very thin or have a good jack .

Cheers

Nick

[CharlieC]

They are there, but a real pain in the arse to get to,remove lower tray ,and they are sat in front of engine,just follow pipes(suc/return)from compressor,you will find 2 valves 'simply' remove caps and bobs your uncle.Of course it helps if you are very short and very thin or have a good jack .

Cheers

Nick

I take it thats not you in the avatar then Nick

(thanks for the info!)