Puttin AC in the car that comes with no AC
Mrs0ysauce
Band Wagon
What do I need under the dash and stuff? My canadian model didnt come with AC and I want to put AC back in it.
Comments
Sweet! BTW I like pictures lol!
Here's everything except the compressor and main lines.
AC condenser. You might want to buy this new. If you buy a new one, you'll need to get the upper isolator mounts from the junkyard.
This is the AC fan and the side shroud.
Drier. You may one to get this new since it will improve your AC's performance. And it's a must if you convert to R134a. You'll need to get the mounting bracket from the junkyard.
This is the wire harness found under the hood, including the firewall grommet where it connects to the evaporator under the dash. This also includes the relays.
This is the evaporator and mounting brackets which you swap out for your non-ac tube under the dash (the box connecting your blower to the box that selects fresh or recycled air). Make sure you get the drain hose and firewall grommet.
This is the compressor mount and belt tensioner. That reminds me. You need the belt (duh).
You'll need to cut open a harness just above the ECU and remove the harness and wires that plug into the engine harness and go to the AC button.
I don't have a pic of the compressor or under-hood ac lines. These were missing when I bought the car.
If you follow the wires and lines carefully, it will lead you to each component in the system. If you pull everything carefully then it's all plug n play (except to charge the system of course (good luck finding R12, better to convert to R134a)).
The compressor from an r12 system will work fine, They're the same thing just with different hose connections so as long as you can fit it and hook it all up go for it. If your going up to R134a just pull you old ac pump and turn it over. Cyle the pump by had a few times and let it drain out the thick goopy oil, repeat about 15 minutes later untill you get no more oil out. then refill your compressor with PAG 46 about 4 ounces, might have to cycle it a bit to get it to fit in there. Also, tip your dryer/accumulator over and pour out any excess oil and keep your dryer accumulator in a zip lock bag so the desiccant doesn't get excess moisture in it. Another thing to do before you slap it all in there is replace EVERY SEAL on all the lines, just trust me. Then get some ac flush that is solvent based not oil and flush out everything except the dryer/accumulator and you ac pump. You can use an air compressor to blow the flush through the system and do so till your getting nice clean fluid out the other side. Keep running air through it until no more fluid drips out and put it all back together. Do make sure you get your system vacuumed for at least 30 mins and let it see if it holds a vacuum. You should be ready for R134a at this point. Just figured if I can help you with this I might save you tons of time and money. If you have any questions just ask please.
The original compressor and hoses were missing when I bought it. I'm keeping the remaining pieces for when I have the motivation to try fitting an R134a compressor. I don't want to put R134a in an R12 compressor because it's not as efficient. I assume I'd want to do the steps you outlined anyway... just to clean out the compressor before I install it. I'm bookmarking this thread for when the day comes.
No it wasnt a typo and I have r12 compressors on my wagons and they work just like the R134a compressors out of the newer honda's. The newer compressors will bolt up, but the lines wont work. i used to think the compressors were different too, but it turns out it's the evaporator and condenser that are made for r134a. I need to dig up the source that I got that from though so it will make more sense to you. Another thing that will help alot is just buying a new dryer, it makes a big jump in performance especially if you live somewhere with moisture.
I haven't found an AC shop yet. This is the part I dread. Finding an honest, affordable shop that does things right. I much prefer to do as much work as I can myself. For instance, this car needed a new wheel bearing but I just replaced the whole knuckle instead rather than go to a shop that has a press. I went on 50% off Wednesday and got one for $16! 50% off day owns my ass and that's when I'll be getting the rest of the compressor.
All of this because of a road trip on the 18th that includes driving through Nevada 110 weather with 5 of us including the mother in law. Tomorrow I'm getting all the windows tinted.
Yeah, it's hot down here too! Just went through salt lake though and that seemed really nice and cool.
Over here A/C was a dealer fit option, so not surprised the loom is a sub harness for you guys too for consistancy.
I'm going to finish putting everything back in today. I just got the new condenser. I'm still waiting on the drier and O-rings which were special order. I'm getting the AC lines and compressor on Monday when they're half-off at the junkyard.
Sweet!
http://www.performanceforum.com/wesvann/honda/ac/ac.html
Do you replace the drier with the EF part or with a one from a later car running R134 ??
The Beagle was made till 1995. R12 was banned in 1994. DO you think very late Beagles run R134 as stock, in which case there are R134 parts available specifically?
How I interpreted it was that all driers are the same regardless of the type of refrigerant... I thought he was just saying that you don't want to take a drier that has been used with R12 and start running R134a through it. It wouldn't be ideal. So get a fresh drier. I could be wrong though. But now that I've given up on AC since my core support is warped it's mostly irrelevant to me.
New drier is definitely an easy way to keep cool in the heat.
I'll pop down to Honda and assume the position over the counter whilst learning the price of that one.
$450
If you have a vacuum pump and some time, you can reuse the dryer. Heck, a basic vacuum pump can be had for $139...
I thought it had some dessicant in there which wets out over time. Are you saying this can be refurbed?
How do you go about doing that? Genuinely no idea and really would love to know fo the sake of $450 x2 cars !!