1996 Accord, 4cy.

I just took my car to a mechanic to replace the water pump, timing belt and other belts and seals and in the procees he realized the A/C compressor was bad, the puly has a lot og play in it and it was making a funny noise. I noticed last summer the A/C was pretty weak.

I looked in the FAQ and searched threads but didn't really see a answer to my question.

When you replace the pully whats involved? Do you have to take the timing belt off and get in there or is there a way to take the compressor out without dimanteling all the pully belts?

For the time being he bypassed the compressor pully all together.

Also, what kind of cost am I looking at for just the part itself?

 

you'll only need to take the outer accessory belts off to get to the pulley. you may want to remove the P/S pump, alternator and splash shield to have better access. i know the civic compressor pulleys have to be shimmed for proper clutch clearance, i assume accords are similar.

you can check pricing for that part here>> http://www.hondapartsunlimited.com

i'm sure there are other good places to get them from as well.

 

About 4 years ago, I got a compressor off ebay through a known good dealer for 100 bucks for my toyota celica. Two years ago, I took one off a accord with about 280,000 miles at a junkyard. haven't had any issues with it.

 

Each accessory has its own belt and im pretty sure the a/c is in the middle so you will have to remove the p/s belt to get get on/off. unplug electrical connector, disconnect a/c lines. the compressor itself is held on w/ 4 bolts, which can be kinda hard to get at but nothing too bad.

i suggest replacing the dryer as well especially if the system had a leak or was open to the atmosphere at all. once all the parts are on you need to take it somehwere that can evacuate the system to remove any contaminents, then refill with refrigerant. then you should be all set.

 

F-series and H-series have a shared alternator-A/C belt and a P/S pump belt. not three separate like the civics.

 

whoops, good call.

 

Whats good to plan on as far as cost to have it refilled and evacuated? Someone I know said they will do it for around $350, that may be worth it depending on the cost to buy, evac and refill a new one.

Thanks,

 

I know someone that will replace it for $350-$400 so I am wondering if, by the time I buy the compressor, have it evacted and filled maybe it would be worth it to have him do it and save me time to work on other stuff.

 

3-400? ****, my mechanic quoted me $788 with parts and labor!

 

I just replaced the compressor on my 1995 accord 4cyl.

Remove the p/s and alternator belt. Remove the driver side radiator fan. Unhook the two hoses that connect to the compressor. Remove the compressor, it is connected to an engine bracket with 4 long bolts. I replaced the accumolator, which is always a good idea. The accumolator was about $20 on ebay and is located underneith the battery. You will need to remove the battery and battery tray to access the accumolator. Add a/c oil to new compressor if it is dry. Once all the parts and hoses are installed the system will need to be vacuum pumped and pressureized with freon.

 

Quality parts cost more. Cheap is expensive.