Ok, it's getting to mid 80s already here in FL

I know the expansion valve in the EM1 is leaking, i DONT know how to get in there.....


any write ups? dash comes off or no? my search results are kinda all over the place honestly and leads to a honda parts diagram more-so than the steps on getting it out

 

The evaporator needs to come out. First have the refrigerant recovered.

Any experience with A/C work?

 

If you're ac isn't working than you're good to go on removing that evap box, if you're ac is still working than you need to vacuum the rest of the refridgerant out of there before loosening any lines.

I will say now would be a good time to clean up the mildew in that box.

 

exactly what im looking for, thanks Ron

there's definitely no freon in there now but yes after everything is replaced,im going to my buddy at the acura dealer to have it properly refilled

also, changing the expansion valve, should i also change the drier?

 

Definitely.

 

Before pumping in refridgerant check to make sure its holding pressure, and make sure you're using proper lube for the o-rings.

 

Proper lube = Sanden SP10 oil. Honda sells it 38897-P13-A01AH, but it's bonkers expensive (~$30 for a can).

I would use Supercool PAG46 as it's similar viscosity and similar makeup (Double end-capped PAG oil). This stuff works great and is inexpensive too. You will need to add a specific amount back into the system because you are replacing the drier. Look in the shop manual for how much to add. It's not very much.

For o-rings, you can buy an entire Honda kit at Autozone for about $11. They are high quality green (HNBR rubber). It will have dozens of o-rings in all Honda sizes except the tiny one on the expansion valve. That tiny one should come pre-installed in the new expansion valve.

For the drier, I would order a 4-seasons brand. I think Amazon sells them cheap.

BTW: They will test the system by seeing if it holds Vacuum, not pressure. The longer they pull a vacuum on the system, the more moisture they will boil out of the lines. Less moisture in the system = longer lasting system.

 

That oil is for the lines, condensor and evap. There is a specific type of oil, if thats what they call it, that I use for the o-rings. Can't find it right now because its in the garage at home.

 

You are just supposed to use the compressor oil.

 

I have heard of this but because I've had no issues with the oil that I've used on any of the rides I worked on I'll keep it in consideration in case I have none of that little bottle I use left.

 

Plain old silicone spray(preferably 3m), is more than enough to lubricate the seals on the ac lines.

Been using it for over 11+ years with no issues whatsoever...

 

Finally got this guy out


what do I look for? lol

As you can tell, I put some leak dye in the system and I can only see it where the lines attach. Maybe all I needed was to replace the o-rings?

It lost all the freon and when I got a small can from the parts store it would only last a few days tops. Whenever the ac was on I can hear a hissing behind the dash

 

Core looks fine as well visually. My mechanic friend that works at Acura lent me this black light flashlight and yellow goggles to help me find the leaks, couldnt find any leak dye anywhere on the core/lines/expansion valve

 

Use that stuff to follow the lines all the way around the front thru the compressor, condensor to the dryer and back and see if you can spot a leak. It still MIGHT be at the box there, but, it could have also been when you loosened it and it spilled out a lil.

Wait, did you have that dye in the system when it was WORKING? otherwise it wouldn't go thru the compressor etc..

Either way, now is a good time to do ALL the seals..

And the special A/C oil is PAG / ESTER, tho its not used in old systems..

 

Indeed, now would be a good time to clean the lines and re-oil them and put new o-rings.

 

Yes the leak dye was put in when it was working, as I mention the system would keep the freon for a few days and it would be cold but would leak out. I hear a pretty loud hissing from behind the dash so that's where I'm looking first

I actually have looked through all the lines in the bay/condenser/compressor and couldn't find anything

My first instinct is to just replace the two o-rings on the firewall, get a can of freon from the parts store and see if it holds. If it does, i'll bring it to my buddy at the dealership and he can fill/take out moisture the correct way

issue is...where do i get exactly the right o-rings I need for those two? doesn't seem to list it on the honda parts diagram..

 

For the o-rings, you are looking in the wrong place. They are shown under the "AC Hoses - Pipes" sub category.

OEM Honda CIVIC COUPE 1999 A/C HOSES - PIPES parts

You need one 8mm (80873-ST7-000) and one 5/8" (80871-SN7-003). It is much more cost effective to buy a whole o-ring kit from Autozone. I think it was $10-$16 for the kit that contains every o-ring in the system and then some. It's overpacked with o-rings to fit a huge variety of vehicles. Same material as OEM.

 

Ok I'll go to autozone this afternoon and see if they have it

any particular brand i'm looking for? material? is it ac application specific?

 

It will most likely be the only ac o-ring kit they offer for your year/make/model/trim. Big chain type stores usually only offer one brand. I can't remember if mine was in-stock, or if they had to order it.

This is what my records show from 2012 on my 89 Crx Si. I used some of the extras on my 94 Civic CX as well. It's probably the same kit for your EM1 too:
- O-rings Santec MT2560 $10.99 Autozone

 

sweet thanks!

 

Try your best to do this in an area that has no debri.

 

The good

I found those orings and replaced the ones on the firewall

The bad

I have a MASSIVE leak on the top right corner of my condenser lol....off to the junkyard i go...

 

If its that massive of a leak I'm surprise you had refridgerant left in the system, unless you were adding more as you go. That was probably the cause of your a/c issues and not the expansion. But since air is getting in there its best, in my opinion, that you clean the lines.

 

Update:

Got an evaporator from the junkyard just in case mine is leaking. Also bought a condenser from ebay

Going to take this time to replace all of the o-rings as well.

If my memory is right,does this sound right?

2 on the compressor, 3 on the condenser (2 top,1 bottom)

 

Also, how does one "clean" the lines? and how/where does the oil come into play?