I'm going to tackle removing my stupid AC in my 96 Prelude VTEC sometime this week. The stuff in the engine bay is the easy part. I'm concerned about the Evaporator behind the dash?

How easy/difficult is this to remove? What else should I be removing? How to plug the hole?


[Modified by satan_srv, 4:10 PM 11/25/2002]

 

First there are 2 holes-a really big one for the piping and wiring harness and a small one with the drain tube. Your friendly part department can order them or ask if one of the techs in service has stashed them away along with the duct that goes from the blower to the heater box on some cars. The other option for this is the salvage yard-that's what I did by luck actually for the CRX.
You will need to take the glove box and the brace out to work under the dash-very simple. Other than that the rest of it is actually straight forward after you purge the lines of Freon. TIP: break loose every connection you can before starting the actual removal-makes it much easier.

 

You have to take the passenger airbag out of the dash. Do you have a helm? If you're undertaking this yourself you should have one. There are very detailed cutout diagrams and step by step insturctions on EVERYTHING. It's the best $89 you'll every spend on you car if you work on it yourself. I try to read mine everyday, it's almost my bible now. Remember, The best mod you can do is to tighten the loose nut behind the wheel .

 

I can get a helms....the airbag has to come out????

Well that's more weight reduction! I just won't tell my passengers...

The engine is out so I have no problems moving around the engine bay...

The airbag really has to come out? Nuts!

jc386 I'm not replacing it at all....I'm just taking it out....looks like duct tape is my friend. Or are you saying I can find things to plug them with?


[Modified by satan_srv, 9:10 PM 11/25/2002]

 

For the big holes in the firewall, I made a cardboard template of the hole then took it to a machine shop and had a little plate made that covered the hole. You have to take the passenger airbag to take the ac evap out, it is adviseable to replace the airbags once you have the evap out.

 

Oh so I can remove and replace the same airbag? That's cool I just didn't want to blow it off or anything...

 

If you remove the evap, you will have NO HEAT. Unless you get a 92-96 S model one to replace it.

 

Interesting...how much does the evap weigh? Is it worth removing then?

 

Okay so I just keep the Evaporator and take out everything in the engine bay only? Cut the AC lines at the firewall?

I still want heat...I just want to drop weight where I can. I'm assuming the 92 S evaporator is pretty much the smae weight so it's pointless or no?

 

Yes, that's what I did. I figured it was too much work for the removal of the evaporator. You should not have to cut the lines at the firewall, they go into and out of the evap if memory serves me correctly. I know I managed to get my a/c lines out without any cutting, and very minimal bending. I would like to have the option of putting it back in one day should the future owner want it.

The weight loss is a nice benefit, but it may not outweigh the work and sacrifices involved.

 

How exactly did you do that? The lines just pull out?

 

You mean how did I remove the lines? They do pull out, but not very easily. I remember having to sligtly bend the one, but they're very soft aluminum and will bend with ease. I have no bumper, radiator or ps cooler in the way, so it may have been a bit easier to get to. I thought there was one line that stayed in there, but I can't remember. I will check it when I get home to see if there is anything else that stays, other than the evaporator.

 

Well I have no engine in there...so they are easy to get to

I'm just saying the lines go right through the firewall and I'm confused as to how the just 'pull' out. They have to connect to something....