crex23

I have a 89 CRX DX that is automatic with a sohc ZC swap. I pulled the motor out to freshen up some oil seals, change timing belt etc, paint my engine bay, and do a wire tuck. I originally thought about ditching the A/C altogether, but it is very hot and humid in the summertime in the south. My car came with a th-08hd compressor (that runs r134 refrigerant), and what looks to be custom or cobbled-together a/c lines, dryer, and condenser. Now the compressor locked up on me many years ago, so I know it is trash. But my dilemma is, where do I find the parts I need since they didn't originally come on this car. I found a compressor on Ebay, but I don't know what to type in for the dryer and condenser since what I have and the pics of what are supposed to come on this car don't match.

I do have a brand new TR70 compressor, dryer, condenser, fan, and O-rings that I was going to use on another car before I sold it. So should I pay to have the leftover r134 that is in my system sucked out, put on my new parts (I know I would have to buy new lines) and go back to r12? Or can I put on my new parts and stay r134? Will the TR70 compressor die a short death if I run r134 through it? I've heard that running r134 in a system designed for r12 will not be as cool, but I'm sure it will be better than 2-40 a/c (windows down, no a/c) lol.

Check out the pics.

jonGSR

It sounds like it would be easier finding/using all the original AC components. Especially since you don't know which components to buy now with how your AC system is put together. It is very interesting to see those different parts used. I have never seen that on any EF.

You're correct about the r134a not being as cold but it can work pretty well. If you have a lot of city traffic the system will definitely struggle to keep up. If you're doing a lot of highway driving, the system will cool great if you're constantly moving forward.

The compressors can be pretty short lived, 1-4 years seems to be his long most rebuilt ones last. My old CRX has had a rebuilt tr70 in it for 2.5 years now and it still works great. One of my best friends bought that car off of me so I still see the car frequently.

crex23

I have the all the parts except for the lines, but I'm worried about running r134 through a TR70 compressor. If it lasts 2.5 years, I guess that's good enough for me. I paid $110 for it back in 2010 lol. Did your crx have r134 refrigerant in it?

I also have read that if you use r134 refrigerant with hoses designed for r12, the coolant will slowly seep out since the r134 molecules are smaller. Is this really an issue?

Also, is it recommended to replace the evaporator and expansion valve while I'm at it?

jonGSR

Expansion valve always needs to be replaced if it is exposed to the atmosphere for extended periods of time. I've always replaced the evaporator also since it is pretty inexpensive.

Yes, my CRX was retrofitted with r134a and have not experienced a loss of pressure this entire time. My CRX was actually the 2nd car I rebuilt and AC system on. I had done it on my 91 sedan back in April 2012 and that compressor took a dump on my after 2 years of usage.