[Cruiserhead05]

Guys,

I'm new to this forum so i guess this is my formal intro.

I'm mostly in built land cruisers but at 12mpg i had to find something to drive on a daily basis. Got my first 1990 crx dx 3 months and have loved it ever since. It does great and is fun to drive.

The heat is killing my though and i cant handle 110% humdity of virginia. How hard is it to add A/C and does anyone have an good advice to fight the heat. I may tint the windows but i just dont know if it will really solve the problem.

Thanks.

 

[grouch]

Its not cheap or easy to add A/C to a Civic/CRX. The best bet is to find a junkyard car and start removing parts...compressor, condensor, fan, lines, drier, relays/wiring, evaporator etc etc

Tint makes a bigger difference than a lot of people give it credit for.

 

[bobski]

Adding A/C is a bolt in affair. The hard part is finding all the components and then getting the system charged.
I don't know if they still have any in stock, but Majestic Honda lists the OEM A/C kits at $511.31 and $518.89 (probably depending on which compressor is included in the kit).

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Thanks guys.

Honestly, i wouldnt mind paying $500 or so to get A/c in the crx. I just wonder what a shop would charge to install it.

Thanks

 

[grouch]

I'm a little skeptical that the quoted $500 covers all the equipment needed. The compressor alone is nearly $400.

 

[SETI20]

Honda quoted me $490 for an alternator. The same alternator in a different box was $135 at a different parts store.

Go figure.

 

[xxpaulcpxx]

How to: Add Air Conditioning to your CRX

This was my first real project on my CRX!

 

[crxsquared]

I installed a used system into my CRX Si 3-4 years ago. It helped that I had another CRX w/ A/C that I could use as a reference, plus I used the Helm manual and the diagrams on the Majestic webpage. Buy all new o-rings and a fresh dryer cannister (AutoZone carries it). There is a local shop in my area that still installs R-12, so I had them evacuate it, check for leaks, and fill the system, for about $250. My total cost ended-up being about $400.

Note that you have to remove the front bumper to install the condensor. It also is advised to replace your radiator hoses if you haven't in the last few years- pull the radiator and clean-off all the bugs at the same time. The compressor is a LOT easier to install to the block without the radiator in the way, clean-out the four tapped holes in the block before trying to mount the compressor base, too.

This is also a good time to install a header if you haven't yet. Lots easier to get it in now with the radiator and A/C hoses not in the way. Might as well gain back some or all of the horsepower that A/C unit is going to rob you of!

You'll also need the A/C button to add to your HVAC panel, but good luck finding them, other than from a donor car (out-of-stock).

Oh, and unlike in xxPaullxx's instructions, the 2nd gen cars do not have a "Mitsuba" box for a controller. The ECU has the smarts to handle the system by itself.

BTW, JC Whitney sells the SCS/Frigette kit for the 2nd gen CRX- $936!
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0344657/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000021424110344657

 

[djhankb]

And to compliment Paul's article, this one covers charging!

http://www.crxcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=2556

-Henry

 

[Cruiserhead05]

time for an update.

I got a complete a/c system off ebay a few weeks back. I've been installing the individual parts slowly when i have time.

The other day i got it all complete and took it to get charged. The compressor was used and is a little weak but the a/c works great and makes the crx 10 times more comfortable.

However, for the first 10 minutes or so i get a pretty good squealing from the a/c(belt im guessing) at around 3500 rpm's and up.

Is my belt just to tight?

 

[djhankb]

which compresser are you using?
is the belt brand new?

sounds like the belt is either too tight, too loose, or old and cracked.

-H

 

[Cruiserhead05]

If anything the belt is probably too tight, it has zero play in it.

Sanden compressor with brand new belt. i will loosen when i get a chance and update.

 

[djhankb]

yeah, it should have like 1/4-1/2" of play on it.
that's def. your issue.

 

[bobski]

it should have like 1/4-1/2" of play on it.

That sounds about right if you're talking about how much the long run of the belt deflects when you push on it.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Update.

Before i could even get home from classes to readjust the belt tension, it busted....broke off on the highway.

So, i went and bought a brand new belt this afternoon and installed it, brought the tension down from where it was before.

Squeak is still very much alive, its so loud and so bad i really cant even use the A/C. Also, it starts to squeak around 3k rpms.

So whats next, a/c idler?

 

[bobski]

The idler spins whenever the engine is running. If turning off the A/C stops the squealing, it's probably a compressor issue.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

The idler spins whenever the engine is running. If turning off the A/C stops the squealing, it's probably a compressor issue.

While driving to school this morning that kinda hit me. I noticed the speed of the belt is unchanged whether the a/c is on or off so it has to be something besides the pulley considering the sounds is only there when the compressor is running.

Anyone have any good plugs on a good working sanden compressor for my crx?

I'm not too thrilled about throughing another $200 or so at compressor when winter is coming up.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Just curious,

Any ideas why the brand new belt may have broken after only 4 days? just too tight?

 

[bobski]

Does the A/C actually work in spite of the squealing? I kinda wonder if the compressor has seized up.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Yep, the a/c still works fine but the squealing is aweful.