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How to get to exp valve on Honda Prelude

engatwork on Thu July 08, 2004 5:39 PM User is offlineView users profile

Year: 1992
Make: Honda
Model: Prelude
Refrigerant Type: r12
Ambient Temp: hot

I just picked up a 1992 Honda Prelude from a friend at work to put his a/c back in working order. Got all the parts together and pretty much know the layout under the hood but where is the evap/exp valve and how do I get to it. I figured I would go ahead and ask before getting out there this weekend and starting on it. My plans are disassembly, flush and then install new compressor, exp valve and dryer. Vacuum and charge with r12. The compressor is in a box with some pretty bold type that the compressor comes WITH oil so I am not planning on adding any anywhere in the system. The capacity is indicated on the tag under the hood. So far everything is pretty straight forward.

This will be the first Honda I have rebuilt the a/c on and I'm kinda looking forward to it from a learning experience. My friends at the body shop tell me that Hondas are the easiest to work on. We have owned Hondas for years but I have never had to do anything to them except routine maintenance stuff. Any and all hints suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
thanks

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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

iceman2555 on Thu July 08, 2004 9:06 PM User is offlineView users profile

If not mistaken....the evap/exp valve is located just under the glove box. Most Honda's simply remove glove box...glove box support and about 8-10 bolts. Drops down....open the box...and there is all is. Be sure to reattach sensor bulb in the same location and if equiipped with a thermomeister probe....put it back in same location.
Drain the compressor of the lubricant that is in the system. If the system is being flushed...add 2-3 oz to the compressor. Add 1 oz to the receiver/drier/filter and the remainder directly into the evap....easy to do...you already have it out. Evac and recharge. Good Luck !!!!
Almost forgot the lubrication capacity is 5 oz.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

engatwork on Fri July 09, 2004 5:23 PM User is offlineView users profile

Thanks
I called the guy at Auto Air of Macon where I got the compressor and talked to him about the oil. He stated since it is marked that the oil is already in the compressor I should not have to add anymore. In addition, got to studying the 1997 Honda CRV factory service manual and I am going to guess that the Prelude is real similar. Looks easier than a Mercedes dash remove/install.


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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

Edited: Fri July 09, 2004 at 5:24 PM by engatwork

iceman2555 on Sat July 10, 2004 4:10 PM User is offlineView users profile

Installing a compressor that is precharged with oil and not knowing how much oil is in the compressor or how much oil is remaining in the system is a sure fire method to destroy a compressor or cause a system not to function properly. Too much oil contributes to excessive high side pressures and lack of evaporator efficiency.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

engatwork on Sat July 10, 2004 5:47 PM User is offlineView users profile

IC what is going on now - thanks. In the CRV service manual it says to remove/measure the oil from the old AND new compressors with and not to not remove more than 50 ml from the new one. It states the capacities of the oil in the various components too. Anyone got these numbers for a '92 Prelude?



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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

Edited: Sat July 10, 2004 at 7:03 PM by engatwork

engatwork on Sun July 11, 2004 3:14 PM User is offlineView users profile

Man - I'll tell ya'll what. I have been working on Mercedes way too long. Removal of the evaporator is a PIECE OF CAKE on the Honda versus a Benz. This has got to be one of the easiest evaporators to pull out of any car out there.

Got everything disassembled and broken down. Flush and clean out will be going on this week. That evap was full of trash and debris (externally). I poured one ounce of oil out of the old compressor.



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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

engatwork on Sat July 17, 2004 9:38 PM User is offlineView users profile

It's fixed - blowing good cold air using that gaeous gold r12.

Job came out good. The only issue I see now is that I am getting some air blowing out of the floor vents when it is supposed to be coming out of the center vents. I'll start troubleshooting that tomorrow.

The new compressor had a full 4 ounces of oil (system requirements). I emptied it out and added about 1-1/2 ounces (which was in the compressor that came out) and the put rest of it throughout the system.

It is kinda like my friend at the body shop said - these are some of the easiest cars to work there are based on my experience. I may be singing a different tune after resolving the damper door issue though.

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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

engatwork on Sun July 18, 2004 1:08 PM User is offlineView users profile

Installed the front bumper/cover this morning and took it for a ride. It will make you hurt when blowing on you full cold/recirc. Nothing like a good working a/c in a small car with tinted windows.

Sorted the issue out with the damper doors and it works great. Job came out real well.

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Mechanical Engineer in a paper mill.

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