Installing AC into a non AC car

[darksyde]

i was wondering i'm planning to install ac into a baseline 240 that never came with ac. i did a search on the forum and couldn't find much info that i needed...

how hard is it to install? i have everything i need...i'm pretty sure i do. are there any steps or tips that i should know before doing this?

also i'm planning to switch from r12 to r134a and since the compressor is already evacuated what else do i need to do besides getting a kit from say like pepboys with all the fittings and oil and freon? or would that be a bad idea?

uhmmm any tips hints or tricks please let me kno...

i might even do a step by step type of thing just so people who wanna do this later can follow iono tho...

but thanks for any info u guys can give me

[darksyde]

i'm thinking that i will try installing the underdash componants by taking out the glove, hopefully its work.

the reason i got a car without ac was because it was a fairly clean and straight bodied car that i could afford...and i actually didn't realize it didn't have ac until it got hot.

the car never came with ac because it was the plain jane lowest of the lowest model, no power windows, doors or ac, which is fine with the exception of the ac.

i shoulda looked more carefully when buying the car but hey u learn from your mistakes

anyhow would i need to do anything big like change the ac oil if i'm retrofitting the r12 to r134a?

[Touchdown038]

There was a 240 that came stock without AC?

I was under the impression that they all did, even the base model... I know my base model did.

[darksyde]

*scratches head* uhm now i'm confused...ahaha i'm pretty sure most base models didn't come with ac and if it did it was prolly an added option.

the funny thing about buying a car without ac was the fact that i took it for granted like everyone else that the car came with ac and didn't pay too much attention to it.

Quote »If you are short of knowledge on this subjectthere are help books that sell for about $ 20.00. Not to technical,mostly basic stuff. E-bay or the booksellers.[/quote]

and RAP u got any names on some books thaT i might be able to take a look at besides the FSM?

i am fairly knowlegable in working on cars...and i'm pretty much a very determined person so i work hard at trying to get things done and if it means reading and stuff i'll do it.

[Touchdown038]

*scratches head* uhm now i'm confused...ahaha i'm pretty sure most base models didn't come with ac and if it did it was prolly an added option.

I must have an "extra special" base model then...

On your climate control, there is no button for AC? Because I've yet to see one that doesn't have it.

[darksyde]

I must have an "extra special" base model then...

On your climate control, there is no button for AC? Because I've yet to see one that doesn't have it.

hahaha yea mine doesn't have a ac button on it...maybe i'll go take a picture of it tonite and post it up for you to see.... i must have an extra "rare" car then :lol

Quote »If you have the FSM you're in fat city. That'll do it.Although yours is an unusual endeavor you should post back on your progress. I'v read quite much on these boards but don't recallreading anything on installing an A/C system in a non A/C car.

One more thing, if you use a secondhand condenser and evaptry to pressure test them thoroughly prior to install. [/quote]

i'm planning on getting a FSM in the next few days

and i think i will definitely do a write up on this or at least give some report on it.

as for pressure testing should i just go ahead and take it to a radiator shop to pressure test it or where should i go to?

btw thanks for any info or anything so far!

[darksyde]

^5 thanks alot! i am actually getting my parts from a memeber who's parting his car out.

thanks alot RAP!

i'll keep u updated on my progress once i get started...i get my parts on friday, and then i should be starting it sometime next week!

[xxtrizz]

Wow what a coincidence that I stepped in here and saw this post. I actually bought a 240sx without A/C and installed a completely new A/C system in my car and yes my car didnt come with a button either. My options though rather limited do to my area where to order a complete kit with conversion for r134a also.

First things first you must have obtained everything there is needed for the kit I actually have the step by step instructions for the kit sitting in my garage somewhere.

Basic parts are the Radiator, accumulator, expansion valve, evaporator, Hoses, compressor, and mounting brackets.

The upgraded r134a kit usually includes the NEW expansion valve which is located in the Evaporator usually reffered to as the evaporator core the expansion valve is a necessity when changing to r134a. Also it should include the r134a fitments for "valves" on the A/C lines. Last but not least there should be a completely new Accumulator the accumulator looks like a shiny metallic casing on the right hand side of the battery cage bolted up to the inner walls of the bay. This is also a important replacement part for r134a fitment.

The basic installation should be straight forward to say the least. This is what I did basically step by step.

First things first as I ordered the "kit" itself I had the evaporator as an assembly not in several peices. You probably will obtain it as an assembly also seeing as how its coming out of someone else's car. I took the assembly appart and peeled the gooey stuff of the components and unbolted the expansion valve. I took my r134a fitment expansion valve and replaced put it in bolted it down and put new gooey stuff on it the black gooey stuff comes with the r134a conversion kit. I believe that is the only thing you have to change over in the evaporator so after I got it on I put the sucker back together make sure you put the box shaped temp gauge back in also.

(Might wanna take out the passanger seat for this step)Putting the evaporator core in the dash is simple you jsut pull the glove box out. And take the vent box out that is in the place of the evaporator core and put the evaporator core in. The vent box is a simple ventalation shaft if you will that connects your passenger side vents to your blower so it blows air on the passenger side of the vehicle. THe only difficult time I had was putting the rubber collection boot in for the leak spot in the firewall I had to get my mother to help me do that one I lifted the box from the inside while she slid the boot on from the outside. THen i bolted the bad boy down. avoid using screwdrivers in this case go buy a 5 dollar wratchet set and a flex tool or joint. That way you dont round anything out trying to tighten this thing down. Also btw there is a electrical cord in the dash that is held together by blue tape. Its kinda hidden but you have to plug it in the front of the evaporator core. Its high above the evaporator position and its wise to grab it and get it untaped b4 putting the avaporator in.

Then to the kit the radiator should already have one line connected to it b4 you put it in the car I believe its the top line. But to get it in you have to take the shroud off and push the radiator forward. After that its relaly jsut a matter of hooking up hoses and components. Most of the extra wiring is held on by blue tape off to the side in the engine bay or it may be jsut chillin there. Also make sure you grabbed all the fuses and relays that you need for the kit from that one guys car. After I got all the lines in and hooked up I took the new compressor I had and took the plugs out of it and flipped it over let it drip any oil in the system it had for like 30 minutes, you may want to let it do this while you change the expansion valve itself. You want all that oil out of there. But seeing as how your system already had r13 in it I would flush it completely out. Ive never done that b4 but Im assuming you can take it to someone to do it. You gotta make sure there is no reminiscint r13 stuff in the system.

After the compressor is cleaned out and empty you pour the reccomended r134a ether oil in the system I chose ether oil because its r13 and 134a compatible. I dont know the recommended dosage of oil for the compressor my dad found that out. Once you have the oil in the system turn the clutch or the pulley on the outside of the compressor a couple of times youll hear a glug glug glug noise comming from it. This insures that the oil is getting in all the pistons so it doesnt get liquilocked on the inside. A locked system does the exact same thing a bad compressor does it freezes and basically freaks out and makes a huge *** noise.

Hook up the compressor. Put on your r134a fitments for your High and low end hosings. There is also one more thing that I never figured out relaly I had to kinda do this on my own but its either the High end or low end hose the connector part of the hose that goes to the compressor one of them has a BRASS looking fitment out on the side of the connector, in the r134a kit I had a different one that was larger I believe. ITs hard as hell to get the old one off so dont get discouraged. Usually on the end of the BRASS fitments it says like 191kg/G or something it looks liek a pressure rating in Gravity or something. But, that is basically all the converted parts, the valves for high and low, the expansion valve, the accumulator and that brass peice that fits on the high or low hose end. Other thatn that I cant really think of anything.

OH the A/C button if tthey guy is parting his stuff to you tell him to give you his A/C button I believe you can pull it out with pliers. I know your blank button you can pull out with pliers and just push in the regular A/C button. BTW the A/C light will not engage unless the system is filled with coolant and is running.

keep posting about your trials and tribulations. One mroe thing this is vital make sure you put that new r13-r134a ether oil on all your O rings in your system. THis is vital !!

[darksyde]

hey xxtrizz!!

u are the man! thanks for the tips and somewhat of a step by step guide! its enuff to get me going!

just a few questions tho

1. where did u get your retrofit kit? and how much?

2. what exactly came with the kits? because looking at what u said i got a lil confused. first it looks like the radiator and compressor along with all the fittings and stuff comes with the kit...making it an expensive kit, then in the end it looks like the only things that come with it are the brass ring, fittings, expansion valve and accumulator. i just need to be sure what comes with the kit so i can see if i'm missing anything

3. just wanna make sure since u did this before, technically all the connectors should already be there for me and all i need to do is plug it in correct? including the one under the dash?

4. if u have that step by step guide in ur garage somewhere, i'd be really appreciative if u don't mind hooking me up with a copy you can email it to [email protected]

lastly,

i really don't need the ac button off someones elses car...i got his whole control unit with harness! ^5 myself! ahahah so pretty much all i needed to do was get the retrofit kit and install everything in.

i'll keep everyone updated on my progress....btw UPS tracking says i should be getting my stuff tomorrow! gyeah!

thanks!

[xxtrizz]

ok this is the 4th time im writing this I keep loosing it haha.

Just to let you know some of our stuff may vary since mine was a sohc set up not a dohc.

1. http://www.everythingnissan.com I got the retrofit kit and a completely new A/C ssytem from them I forget the complete cost but the retrofit I believe was like 300. Ask for joe if you call them.

2. I got two complete kits.

A/C kit came with everything needed to set up a r13 A/C system

the retrofit kit came with expansion valve, accumulator, retro fitments, various orings and what not.

3. Yes every electronic hookup shoudl be in the engine bay and dash for you to hook up to. Watch out though some of the connectors might be filled with road grime so you may have to clean em with a toothbrush.

4. That installation guide is for a sohc engine although they are similar you would be dicifereing the differences between them.

If you need help with anything more jsut ask.

[POS_S13]

whaaa? theres hella 240's wit no a/c. my s13 sure don't have a/c. i don't have an a/c button either. theres little cutouts for the a/c button but not an actual button. i've thought about hookin up a/c but i don't want it anymore. thats what windows are for. i'll just save space in the engine bay and a lil bit of weight.

[slikS13]

i'm taking the ac out of my 89 240, if anybody wants it. [email protected]

[xxtrizz]

Slik just so you know you might alreayd know this though but I would flush the system out b4 takin it apart you dont want any of that hazardous stuff in your body.

[slikS13]

yeah, that was my first step ha. thanks

[dima]

You can check Nissan Parts for AC kit. They have them. I did it for my other car Sentra 1996. It cost me abot $1000.

[xxtrizz]

240sx A/C systems are a dime a dozen man its hard to fin em I believe I had a troublesome time finding mine.

[Touchdown038]

240sx A/C systems are a dime a dozen man its hard to fin em I believe I had a troublesome time finding mine.

Okay...

[xxtrizz]

OK, maybe i didnt clarify it, NEW A/C systems are hard to find. Thanks :P

[darksyde]

well i got all my parts so imma try and get started this weekend and i'll let u guys n my progress!