98 Civic Flush and A/C repair

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 28, 2013 | 08:21 AM

Slammed98silvercoupe

Thread Starter

HCF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 118

98 Civic Flush and A/C repair

OK so my ac compressor started blowing hot then warm for a day, next day just hot and grinding noise from compressor. Unplugged the compressor electrical connection, now ac clutch will spin but will not make a complete rotation. So a friend gave me a used compressor for free so I want to install it. I will rent the gauges and vacuum pump at Autozone or buy new at Harbor Freight, I have an air compressor for the flush. So my question is on the flush...My goal is to flush, install used compressor,new dryer, o'rings add oil, dye, and vacuum for about 1-2 hours, verify that Negative pressure holds and add 23 oz of Freon.

1.Do I need the special flush gun or can I use my regular gun.
2.Can I flush from the compressor lines, which one should solvent & shop air go into?

I would like to flush without removing the expansion valve because it seems kinda complicated only because I have never done it and cant find a good write on on its replacement. Any tips would be helpful, oh and the used ac compressor that I will be installing has somewhat clean oil in it, and one port sucks and the other pumps, my friend said that is how you test. thanks....

Apr 28, 2013 | 09:17 AM

mk378

Recognized HCF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 10,023

I would suggest put in a new or good (uncontaminated) used condenser and don't flush anything. Bits of a blown compressor rarely make it past the condenser. Flushing does more harm than good if you don't get all the solvent out.

If you were to remove the TXV, it's done by taking the whole evaporator case out of the car then open up the case on the bench. It's quite simple since the A/C system was designed to bolt on at the dealer after the car came from the factory without A/C. The evaporator is removed by taking the glove box out, there is no need to disassemble the whole dash.

Don't use the air powered vacuum pumps they don't produce sufficient vacuum.

Last edited by mk378; Apr 28, 2013 at 06:49 PM.

May 24, 2013 | 01:13 PM

Slammed98silvercoupe

Thread Starter

HCF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 118

Thanks MK, I installed a used compressor & condenser, new dryer and O-rings. I did do a flush on everything except compressor and expansion valve to be on the safe side with a decent size air compressor added pag 46 oil, Freon and now ice cold ac(40F). To help out the condenser dissipate heat better I was thinking of making the condenser fan run constantly when the ac is on, now it only runs when the compressor is cycling. Did my friends a/c with same results thanks to these forums, thanks. Any thoughts the fan?