This may be in the wrong place, forgive me if it is.

I am trying to install air conditioning in a 98 DX that never had it to begin with. I have the underhood parts (with a few exceptions that I am working on) and most is obvious, but I have a few questions.

1: How does the compressor belt typically get removed? The compressor is solidly mounted to the block and I cannot see a way to put the belt on or take it off without unmounting the whole thing, which I don't think is correct. Is there some sort of adjustable mount or idler pulley around?

2: Where do the lines go within the passenger compartment? Is it as simple as finding the 'distribution box' (for lack of a better term) and plugging the lines into the holes that are there, or are there pieces that need to be added to the under dash area as well? I am still searching out the IP piece from evilbay.

3: What wires up to the system? Are there easy connections to be made or is this something I will have to fabricate along with connectors?

Please some help from someone who has done this. We have a mid summer, 1000 mile trip with two furry dogs coming up and it will be miserable without it. I have two weeks.

Thanks!!!
-Brian

 

Bump?

 

i dont know anything about this, but i want to do the exact same thing. i was wondering, if you get it all done and works, can you let me know like what parts you all need and how hard of a job it was?

 

Well I don't know everything just yet, but basically everyone who sells you a 'complete ac kit' on ebay or whatever is not truly doing so. Those people mostly pull everything out from under the hood thinking they did it all, but in fact missed quite a bit - ask me how I know. You need AT LEAST the following:
Compressor
Condensor and fan
Rec/drier
evaporator (a biggie - goes under the dash)
wiring, brackets and all lines
dashboard controls

Just FYI I have compressor, condensor, fan, some lines and rec/drier and all the parts to complete the system from the dealer are over $1000... and this was bought under the guise of a 'complete system'. The stuff I am not so sure about are the compressor mounts and the wiring under the dash and how hard the evaporator is to get to.

The compressor mounts on the front of the block on a little plate that, on AC cars, has an idler pulley on it. I think the plates are the same, but the idler pulley alone (dealer) goes gor over $100.

I was quoted $2595 for an aftermarket system installed. I was quoted $500 for all components required used. There are virtually no 'pick and pull' junkyards around here - so it looks like I am hosed and out to pay a big bill.

 

OK. I did it over the weekend. Here is a set of instructions that were quite helpful.
www.handa-accessories.com(slash)civic(slash)civicac.pdf (not sure why but I cannot put slashes into this)
It was a rather big job, and it went like this...

Pull off glovebox, pull aparts glovebox frame (inst very helpful here)
Pull out battery and battery tray
Pull out airbox and chamber
pull out blank box
punch out holes in the firewall, put grommets in
Put in the evaporator, plug it into the wires that were already there
Pull apart the dashboard to get to the control unit (the hardest part of the job)
Put the dash back together and put the glovebox back on
Pull off the power steering pump and reservoir
Pull off the coolant reservoir
Mount the compressor bracket (or just the idler pulley, I did the whole thing instead. Either way you have to remove a very stubborn bolt through the wheel well (19mm)
Make sure when mounting the bracket to put the belt around the nose, otherwise youll be all done with no belt and it will suck.
Adjust the idler pulley all the way down
Mount the compressor and mount the belt
Mount the reciever drier
Put the power steering pump back
Pull off the radiator bracket
Start mounting the lines (instructions!!!)
Put the radiator back on
Mount the Condenser and fan assy
Plug in the aux wire harness ($25 from dealer) under the hood (four or five connections)
Put the battery box back, put the battery back, put the coolant reservoir back, but the air box back, drive car to go get it chargerd.

Because I got screwed early on buying a complete kit before wising up and calling a junkyard to get all of the part, I ended up with an extra wiring harness, a few extra lines, and a lot of extra bolts. I spent waaaaay too much on the supposed kit that only contained compressor, condenser, fan, some lines and some bolts ($250 or something) and all in, after charging, I am in like $700 and it works great.

It took me a Friday after work and a Saturday morning. Be prepared for a mess though, the compressor bracket was too messy from not ever having bolts in it, so I broke one off in there, which is why I changed the bracket. The compressor lines were stripping the compressor, I forgot the belt the first time, and I tore it apart to check a fitting that was in front of the condenser. The evaporator and control actually went fairly well, just be patient when dealing with interior bits.
Good luck
-Brian

 

wow.......



sounds way cool!


ive always hoped of putting in an ac in my ef...but then i realised if i did a motor swap it would all have to be changed and everything and compresser mounting....balblabllablabl

does it blow really cold air?

 

Yes it does. The wife loves it. Meanwhile I drive a 1972 GMC truck to work and back. I also fixed her shifter and her brakes on the same weekend, she says it's like a brand new car.

 

Sounds like you did a good job

 

Thanks. If you were closer I'd hook you up for time and material for being so kind.

 

sounds sweet man. is the switch for it in the facotry location?