Hi all,

So I decided to finally pull my compressor to see what was wrong after having no ac for several years. Turns out the pulley bearing was completely obliterated and the clutch was questionable.

Anyways, Im in the hunt for a new compressor and I'm undecided if I should go with brand new or a reman. Looking on ebay I found a couple sellers that have reman compressors. Has anyone had any experience with one of these and what was the result, good or bad? Any suggestions would help, thanks.

 

go to rockauto and get a Denso unit ... be sure to google search rockauto coupon code

 

Those prices aren't bad but it doesn't list the manufacturer of the compressor, only the distributor. I think i'll go with the kit which includes the compressor, expansion valve, drier and gaskets since the warranty only covers the compressor when those pieces are replaced.

I'm thinking of doing the install myself. Looking at my receipt when I last took it in for service on the a/c set me back $400+ in labor. I'm thinking of taking it in to have it evacuated first then take it home, do the install, then take it back to them for vacuum and recharge. Does this sound like a bad idea?

 

If you look at your existing ac compressor you'll see who originally made it. If you want to know who's remanufacturing it then it will say at Rockauto. Not sure why you're not seeing it. This assumes that you have ANY '92 Honda Prelude, given you didn't care to state what vehicle you have, at the time of your original post.

Yes, you will need to have it evacuated prior to removing it unless you want to breath in or potentially illegally allow refrigerant(or freon) to vent into the atmosphere which is both illegal and potentially hazardous. Then replace the compressor, then you can either recharge it with approx 22 oz of refrigerant yourself or have the same shop recharge it. It would be wise to replace the receiver/dryer while you're at it.

 

weird, it doesn't give the manufacturer until you add the item to your cart. Looks like they only have the Sanden compressor. The compressor in my car isn't the original, it was bought used off of ebay and it's a Sanden also.

 

So, I have 6 groove pulleys for the crank and alternator. (jdm h22) Rockauto only the 4 and 5 groove listed for h22s from 92-96 but has the 6 groove compressor listed for 97-01 prelude SH.
Is this the right compressor?

I tried to talk to the guy at rockauto but got nowhere since he's only going off of what his computer is telling him.

 

1. Buy the whole service kit to change over to R134a.
2. Flush the entire system.
3. Replace the service ports with new ones.
4. Use the correct oil and refrigerant ammount for the conversion, this is typicaly 80% of R12 ammount.
5. Pour equal ammounts of oil into the compressor, condensor and accumulator.
6. Vac the system down and cerify it is leak free.
7. Charge system in the shade and not in direct sunlight for correct pressures.

 

It was converted 5 years ago. It's already been flushed. Txv has been replaced. I have the pag oil. I just need confirmation of correct compressor since it's a jdm h22a out of a 94. Rock auto can't confirm correct compressor since their computer doesn't have info on jdm swaps. Previous compressor was bought on ebay used.

See my previous post.

 

I can't say for sure that the 6 groove compressor will work as the only issue will be the connector that comes off of it, but I'm fairly confident it will be fine getting the 6 groove one.

The other option you have is getting the 5 groove one and just getting a 5 groove belt. It will be fine using that with a 6 groove crank and alt. It will just have the outside groove unused.

 

So I'm still having trouble trying to find the right compressor. So ill post what i've found out since this information wasn't found anywhere in my online searches.

I ordered the 6 groove compressor for the 5th gen and i went to install it. The pulleys and bolt holes lined up and the 1 pin connector fit so that was good.... Then I went to put on the hoses. Turns out the inlet and outlet ports on the compressor were too big causing my hoses to not fit properly.

compressor (1997)
outlet: 15.5 mm
inlet: 18 mm

hoses (1992)
outlet: 13.5 mm
inlet: 16.5 mm

I thought about maybe swapping the lines from a 1997 but looking at the parts online they hook up differently. The low pressure hose might work but the high pressure side is different because of the way it mounts to the condenser. On the 5th gen it mounts to the driver side, on the 4th gen it mounts to the passenger side.

So the search continues. I'm going to ask the parts desk at the dealership to see if they can be any help.. probably not. Hopefully someone will find this informative.

 

Many bigger car parts houses offer AC line ends or repair services. They are usually very patient if you have at least a couple real solid places to start.
1. While the AC compressor is still mounted on the car take several GOOD pictures of exactly how each line comes off the compressor to help identify a new replacement.
2. Remove the compressor and bring it to the store for exact comparison.
3. Request to go through the 4 seasons catalog (has pictures and all size info) to locate new compressor ends. This should be very easy since You brought the compressor and can find compatable fittings that way.
4. Have them order them (not likley in stock) and return with Your AC lines to have them crimped on.

This is how it's done when you mix stuff, just part of the fun too.
PS, how did you convert your power steering line? That stuff is hard and unforgiving. The first time I just had them crimp the fitting into the old F22 PS line and it held for a month or so then BANG, big mess. The next time I converted it to SS braided line and fittings like this.

 

Awesome.. I didn't think anyone would want to do that. What do you mean by big car part houses?

I didn't have to do anything with my power steering hoses. I reused the F22 power steering pump. I never disconnected it. Just unbolted from the bracket and put it on the bracket that came with the H22 swap.

 

I didn't know what store names you have there? We have O'Reillys and Car Quest and NAPA that will make high pressure lines etc..

My old PS pump didn't fit (91 Accord swap) when the H22 came.

 

Cool, that's what I thought you meant.

I went to the dealership and just as I thought they wouldn't help.... but I did get the name of a company in town that will make custom hoses. Ill check them out on monday along with asking the car parts companies. I have the same companies around town.

 

Just get the five groove and swap the old pulley to the new one. Keep in mind its reverse threaded.