AC removal

Curt · Post by **Curt** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:13 pm

Am debating on removing the ac completely from my vehicle. Is this an easy job? Reason being, the car spends a lot of time in storage and I don't want dry seals cracks etc. Thanks for your time guys/gals.

Curt

Craig_85 · Post by **Craig_85** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:14 pm

I have done it on a couple of cars before, it is not overly difficult.

I can't tell you exactly how to do it on a Prelude but the main things to think of are making sure there is no gas in the system before you start, find a (blue I think) cap along the pipework unscrew it and touch the valve with a matchstick. If it offers no resistance then there is nothing in there. If it hisses strongly then the system has gas in it. You are not meant to release that into the atmosphere.

Secondly, get a shorter belt bought before you start so you can swap it over after removing the A/C pump.

Thirdly, are you going to leave the pipes going into the bulkhead or try and plug these with bungs of some sort?

Curt · Post by **Curt** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:24 am

Would ideally like everything removed.

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:38 am

I did it. Very easy. The engine bay part is just simply unbolt everything connected and find a smaller aux belt.

In the interior it's more tricky. You remove the black AC expansion valve box in the passenger side open it up and remove the pipes and then refit.

No specialist tools just bolts.
Saves around 13kg. Mine never works as it would be £600 plus in parts to fix. The 5th gen is naturally quite cool inside compared to the 4th and the fans are more efficient so I never really needed it.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:54 pm

Craig_85 wrote:find a (blue I think) cap along the pipework unscrew it and touch the valve with a matchstick

Preferably not a lit one though

I think I've done a "how to" on it. It's simple as others have said. The engine bay stuff comes to 12.4kg.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:59 pm

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/post7175.html#p7175

Curt · Post by **Curt** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:53 pm

This is brilliant. Thank you Nathan

Curt · Post by **Curt** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:20 am

Don't suppose anyone knows the size of the replacement belt after the ac is removed?

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:39 pm

It's all in Nathans guide.

Curt · Post by **Curt** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:29 pm

Oops missed that, thanks Ratty.