JD123

My compressor died and I can't find a new one. I'm told the refurbs only last a few months. Does anyone know where to find a new compressor for a 1989 Prelude?

holmesnmanny

nothing wrong with reman compressors, but they got a new Denso from rockauto, and don't forget to replace the condenser and have a shop do a proper evac and recharge

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ompressor,6628

JD123

Thanks for the quick reply holmesnmanny. Link you sent was to an Accord. Looks like Rock Auto only has reman units for 89 Preludes. I have been to a number of AC places and 100% of them will not put in a reman unit. They say they have bad luck with them - as they only last months to a year before replacement. I tend to believe them since so many have had bad experiences. One is a shop that I know and trust and has been taking care of my prelude since it rolled off the showroom floor. He was adamant that the remans fail. Maybe it's the Prelude compressors that cause the problem?

holmesnmanny

it'll be fine, just get one off ebay from a reputable seller

those mechanics just want you to pay big bucks

you can buy, install, properly evacuate, and properly recharge it yourself by just following this vid and buying a vacuum pump and manifold gauges from harbor freight and picking up plain refrigerant with no leak sealers from the parts store, along with a scale to charge by weight to specs

JD123

Thanks again. Actually, I have the exact gear you suggest (Harbor Freight) hanging in my garage. I have two shops that are willing to do the installation for less that $300 labor. They actually suggested that I buy the part to save the mark-up that they would have to charge me. They could care less if they buy it or I bring it in. As I said before, they have been very good to me over the last 29 years. I don't see any reason why they would intentionally steer me wrong - especially since they are not profiting at all on the compressor I buy. I believe them when they say they have had bad experiences with reman units. That said, if I can't find a new unit, I'll have to go with a reman. But I think it's worth the try to try to find a new one. Can't see the harm. There was a time when I'd do it myself, but for less than $300.00 I'll let someone else do this job. Again - thanks for the reply. I'm still interested in trying to find a new part first, but you give me more hope that a reman might work out ok if I need to go that route.

To other readers, I'd still like to find a new compressor and would love to hear if you had any leads.

holmesnmanny

https://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto...89-2-0-si-scat

double check the trim

JD123

Hmmm. Looks interesting! Now the question is: Is it new, does it include the clutch, and is it really available?
Thanks for the link. I just fired them off a note. Great lead! Have you purchased from them before?

JD123

Well, it looks like Honda Parts Cheap is out of compressors. The search goes on!

TheJGB3

Any re-manufactured compressor from a reliable company will be just fine.

Are you going to retrofit to R134a or stay with R12?

JD123

Thanks for the reply - It has been upgraded already.

I will go reman if I have to. But, as I mentioned before I have a number of trusted shops telling me they absolutely won't put a reman in. They have the same reason - they say it is not worth it to them because they almost always fail in the first year. These shops have no reason to lie to me, as they don't care if I supply the part - hence they profit $00.00 from having me get a new one. I find it quite a coincidence that unrelated shops (independent repair shops, and one specializing in retrofit AC) would tell the same story. Unless they are all in cahoots to have me buy a new compressor that they will in no way profit from, I'm tending to believe they really do have massive failures. Could be a coincidence, but I don't have to have AC right away, so I'm willing to wait a while and see if I can find one. If anyone happens across a new old stock compressor I'd greatly appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks for the replies

JD123

Wanted to update this post in-case someone else was looking for a new compressor. Finally found one on ebay (A/C Compressor R&Y A/C Compressors 10344510 fits 88-89 Honda Prelude 2.0L-L4). $185 with free shipping. I have it installed and it is blowing cold air just like the day I bought it. Hoping it will last a long time, because you simply cannot find new compressors easily anymore.