A/c Compressor DIY
 

Well since nobody else did this i did. Also if you cant do this your stupid. Fyi:rolleyes:
First you lift the car on somekind of stands.

Then you should have someone discharge the freon. FYI IT IS ILLEGAL TO RELEASE INTO THE AIR.
Attachment 99985

Then remove these clips.
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Then remove the screw under bumper on this side and other.
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Then goto driver side headlight and remove these bolts.
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Then your here
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Then remove the 10mm bolts
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Untighten this bolt
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Remove this 12mm bolt
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And this one
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Like this
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Then the bottom ones
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Remove the belt
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Then put pump like this
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Then untighten this
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Also undo this bolt
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Once the belt is loose remove it
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Then remove the bolt
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Remove this bolt as well
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Then remove the Alternator as well
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Dont forget to remove these plugs
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Then your here
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Remove the 2 lines
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Put the line aside like this
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Then remove the 4 bolt hanging onto the Compressor
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Then slide the compressor out
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ONTO The drier
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There should be a bolt here
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Once out swap everything out
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Now for new Compressor
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Install and there ya go
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reassemble the parts and refill the freon .
If it still doesnt work like mine
check the fuses
then its probably the under dash fuse box
luckily i have a spare
Thanks :rolleyes:

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

i also got the gloves here if anyone is wondering
http://www.amazon.com/High-Five-Blaz.../dp/B0028K30HA

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Great DIY and pretty nifty gloves you got there

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Realize this is an old post but here goes...

"If it still doesnt work like mine
check the fuses
then its probably the under dash fuse box
luckily i have a spare"
:lol:

Freaking classic! Love it. Did you ever get it working? You are a warrior and we salute you.

Anyone know of a sticky/DIY write-up for a 6th Gen Vic DX? Have searched in vain and cannot find one. I think my sleuthing skills me as I used to be able to find anything.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

yea i got it and ty . this is very very similar to a 6th gen

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Fantastic! I just read that and said "he did so much work I hope it all worked out in the end... I want him to come back and tell us he was ultimately successful... you know... for closure purposes. And yes, you are absolutey right, I finally tore this 2000 and this is indeed very very similar so hanks for that confirmation there.

I do have a question for you all though. If the compressor blew and sent shards into the system, those shards end up in the condenser as I understand it. Would you recommend replacing the whole condenser in this situation? WhenI blow through mine, it seems like there is some resistance in there. THanks.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

if shards did go in it there are still multiple holes for the freon 2 go through but still its up 2 u . id go with a new condenser. its 60 bucks. or couple hundred if its ****ed up . its up 2 u

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

point well taken... the condenser has been ordered. 65 bucks, AMAZON PRIME.

Also, do you recommend I dump the PAG oil that the compressor came with and replacing it with new? I will have to add PAG oil to the new dryer and the new condenser. What about the expansion valve? Anyone know how many ounces of refrigerant our system takes?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

ok how did you get that alternator bolt out????

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I think its possible to replace the compressor and dryer with out removing the bumper, headlight, or alternator.

I looked vary carefully at mine and I could reach every single bolt by using combinations of a 12" extension, universal swivel joint and 12mm deep socket.

I think there is enough room to slide the compressor out from the driver side wheel well with the fender liner pulled back a little and the windshield washer bottle pushed aside.

The alternator can be loosened through the driver side wheel well to get the belt off the AC pulley. I've easily done this before. No need to disturb the PS pump.

I'll attempt this soon and post here. It could save a lot of time.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Yes it's possible to replace the compressor without removing the power steering pump, alternator, bumper cover or driver side head light. I managed this just today.


You'll need a 12" extension, swivel joint, and a 12MM offset wrench.

Access the lower 2 compressor mounting bolts from under the car. jack up from the center of the radiator support and place 2 jack stands behind the each front wheel. Use the swivel socket and 12" extension and or the 12mm offset wrench to get to the bolts from under the car.

Loosen up the power steering pump to remove its belt. loosen the large 14MM alternator pivot bolt.

Remove driver side wheel, pull away fender liner just from the front part of the fender to gain access to the bolt and screw tensioner mechanism for the alternator. Loosen it and push the alternator towards the motor so its belt can come off. Remove the bracket that the alternator slides back and forth along. Its a single 14 mm bolt. This will make room to pull the compressor out from the wheel well.

Remove ac lines and wiring connector from compressor. The top 2 compressor mounting bolts can be accessed from under the hood. Remove them and there you have it! No need to mess around with the bumper or head light.

The drier can be removed from under the hood as well with the 12" extension.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Hey guys,

I'm trying to replace the thermal protector on my compressor by getting access to the compressor using the photos that brobo put up as a guide. The problem is, I'm pretty new to this and don't know exactly what to do in these situations. I am able to remove the bumper and driver's headlight no problem, and can get the adjusting wingnut and the mounting bold attached to it off as well. But when it comes to getting the second mounting bolt off (the one right under the belt) I am stuck.

It seems that the socket I have is too big to fit in there, but even when I went and purchased a smaller socket that can get in there, I can't seem to get the socket to fit right. I used a slightly larger size (13mm) to see if I could get it but also no luck.

It's probably something simple or a different tool that I need to buy but I'm really hoping you guys will be able to help me out. Thanks in advance!

-Trevor

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Everything is 10, 12, and 14mm wrench sizes. And a few 17 and 19.

I can't think of anything (stock) on these cars that use a 13mm.
Using wrong size tools leads to rounding off the bolt head and causing more problems.


Bottom nut of the power steering pump, I use a wrench like this
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objec...es/XOM1719.jpg

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Thanks for the walkthrough scooty. Do you have any pictures of this process (or know of any)?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Hi guys.

I'm about to do an Engine swap, do I actually have to remove the AC Compressor and the lines from it? Then I would have to empty the freon out of the system?

Strangely, it isn't really mentioned in the Engine removal guide that I have in a PDF manual, dunno if it's a Honda one or not though.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Unbolt the compressor from the side of the block and tie it over out of the way like with coathangers or bungee cords..
So the engine will drop out, clear of the compressor.
Sometimes an engine job takes more than one person anyway, to hold lines and wires out of the way.


Do not disconnect any lines unless you absolutely have to. Have the system recovered (emptied by real/professional machine) if you have to disconnect any lines.
Save and reuse the freon that way. Plus save the environment, EPA, hug a tree, bla bla bla.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Thanks ezone (Stop me if I'm thanking too much XD)

That's what I thought too.
I thought it was too much trouble to disconnect the AC lines.

One thing I know is AC lines are hard lines so I guess I have to be careful when hanging the compressor not to bend or damage any of the lines.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Look around, both of the AC lines going to the compressor have rubber sections on them too, because the engine has to move around. Hard lines would snap off in short order.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I'll be repairing/replacing my AC system next weekend. I got the compressor, condensor, expansion valve and accumulator on order. My question is, after I flush the lines and put it back together, how much oil and refrigerant are required?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

An A/C compressor supplied by Honda will come already loaded with the proper amount of oil for an entire complete new (empty) A/C system. You do not have to add any more oil if you use factory parts.







EDIT: Added it up, looks like 8 ounces total for a completely empty system.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I know this is four years old but I have got a question. On that universal compressor you got there, that has a one pin socket on it compared to the three pin socket on your old compressor. How did you manage to get it working? I'm asking cause I order the same compressor as yours based on your DIY only to realize this problem. Can you help me out on how to rig it to get it working?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Hey hey, I'm doing this job right now - I have an OEM condenser and an after market drier. My kit came with "refrigerant oil" what do I do?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

You are supposed to add a certain amount of refrigerant oil to the system along with each replacement part.
The correct oil for Civics 1993–2014 is SP-10 according to my info.

Total system oil level is critical for proper operation and life of the compressor, and for system operation. Too little can ruin the compressor, too much can reduce refrigerant capacity.


------------

Assuming the AC had the correct amount of oil before you opened the system,

the condenser replacement would require 5/6 oz oil and

the receiver/drier would get another 1/3 oz.

HTH

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

The condensor was pretty loaded the dryer was empty. Just adding oil to the dryer.

If I leave the a/c off... Can I drive the car without charging the system?

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I was going by the book on the amounts of oil.

If the condenser contained more oil than the recommended 5/6 oz, then it probably should be measured and that same amount should be reinstalled so the rest of the system doesn't suffer a loss.
The complete system holds about 8 oz of oil, and the oil can accumulate anywhere within the system that gravity pulls it. Some areas may contain more than others.

The 5/6 oz will not stay inside the condenser, it mixes and circulates throughout the system.

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You can add the oil wherever it is most convenient, just make sure to add the correct amount as it is critical for proper operation.

The oil will get circulated throughout, once the system is charged and is operating.

You can drive it without charging the freon, just make sure it is sealed up and assembled.
The system cannot operate (compressor cannot engage) until it has sufficient pressure inside it anyway (safety pressure switches), that won't hurt it.

HTH

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Just noticed this post. Sounds like you got the wrong compressor.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I just replaced my compressor with a salvage pull. Based on what I'm reading, I should have added oil to the system. Now that the compressor and drier (generic from eBay), is there an acceptable easy way to do this? I haven't discharged or charged yet. I thought about charging with some r134a that comes with oil. Would that be enough? Also, if I directly add oil, where do I I introduce it physically? Do I just pour it in the compressor where the lines connect? Thanks for any help in advance.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

I think all the measurements I have posted in here have been for 01-05 Civics unless otherwise noted.

I use oil by itself, never with freon. (I only use a real charging station, I never use DIY cans or anything like that.)
I measure and add whatever I need directly to the system while I have it open.

You are supposed to drain and measure how much oil was in the original compressor.

You don't know how much is in the new (used) one, so you may have to empty it out and start fresh.

Then you are supposed to calculate how much oil to remove from the new unit (brand new OE unit comes prefilled with 130ml or 4-1/3oz oil) but never remove more than 50ml oil, which comes to a minimum of 2-2/3 oz in the compressor....

So...If I read this correctly......IF you can't get anything at all to drain from your old compressor then your new one should get 4-1/3 oz. If you get a bunch out of the old one, then the new needs to have at least 2-2/3 oz.


Plus 1/3 oz for the new drier.

Kind of a vague answer, because every case can be different.

Or you could flush the entire system to remove all the old oil (including drain the new compressor), then add 8oz fresh oil for the complete system???

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Thanks so much for the feedback, ezone. I'm working on it tonight. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Re: A/c Compressor DIY
 

Ok, so tonight did not go terribly well.

So, I evacuated the system for an hour. Got it to about -27psi. I close the valves to the high and low pressure ports on the manifold and disconnect the vacuum. I then connect a pressurized oil can to add oil to the system. I open the release valve on the can. Then I clear the line by opening the release valve on the middle yellow line on the manifold. Close it. I then start the car with AC all the way up. I open the low pressure port.

For some reason, it won't charge at that point. It seems to creep to zero and hold. It could totally be operator error. I'm just kind of stumped. Is it a leak? The lines look fine to me, and I didn't think I'd be able to pull a vacuum with a leak. I was thinking it may be a relay because the condenser fan and compressor never engage. DTC returns nothing. Do you guys have any ideas? Any input is greatly appreciated.