How to Recharge Air Conditioning with Freon in a Honda Accord

If all of the components are working properly in your Accord, you may need to recharge your system with refrigerant. Recharging the air conditioner yourself in your Accord is possible if your car is R134 compatible. Most models made in 1995 or prior to that use R12 refrigerant.

Instructions

1

Test the air conditioning system for leaks. If your Accord is R134 compatible, you can use a leak detection kit from your local automotive store. Some of these kits will seal small leaks. Keep in mind that if the air conditioner is leaking, you must fix the leaks before recharging the system. It is illegal to discharge any refrigerant into the air. This includes recharging an air conditioning system you know is leaking refrigerant.

2

Locate the Low Pressure Side service port. It is usually on the driver's side of beside the engine block. Remove the black cap marked L. Look at the connector type to determine if your car uses R134 or R12 refrigerant. You will notice screw type connectors on the both the High Pressure Side and Low Pressure Side lines in models using R12 refrigerant. The R134 compatible systems have a quick connect valve on the Low Pressure Side. Models made in or before 1995 may use the old R12 refrigerant. If this is the case, you must have your Accord's air conditioning system retrofitted to use R134 refrigerant.

3

Check your air conditioning system pressure using an automotive air conditioning pressure gauge. Keep in mind that in order to get an accurate reading, the air conditioner has to be turned on the coldest setting with maximum blowing power.

4

Attach the refill hose to the connector on the Low Pressure Side of the air conditioning system. Make sure that it is securely attached.

5

Allow the air conditioner to suck the refrigerant out of the can by slowly turning the valve on the refill kit hose. Pay attention to the way you hold the can. Most kits will have you hold the can upright when you recharge the air conditioning system. It may take as long as 10 minutes to empty a single can.

6

Close the valve on the refill hose and remove the hose from the connector when you have finished recharging the air conditioning system. Make sure that you put the cap back on the port.

7

Leave your Accord running for at least 20 minutes after recapping the port. This evenly distributes the refrigerant around the air conditioning system.