progress made with a/c

[NeedCAforS13]

So another summer of Florida heat is about to start! I spent the last two summers without a/c and thats about enough for me So I pulled Rico's a/c compressor out of the box if came in (6 months ago, lol) and put it on the floor next to my KA24DE compressor I had laying around. I stared for a minute in awe of how CLOSE the two compressors looked... Same fitings in the same locations! At this point I was both very excited and quite pissed at myself for not trying this sooner...

So I bolted it up to the motor. Cut the zip ties holding my a/c lines to the frame and bolted the front line up. Bolted right up, no problems. I'm really stoked at this point because the rear line appears to be in the right location, and same fitting, so I go to push it on, and CRAP, its just slightly too big. The CA18DET uses a 16mm fitting and the KA24DE uses an 18mm fitting! So I'm going to take the partial CA18DET line I have along with the KA24 line to my neighbor later today to see if he can braze them together for me. If so, I'm just afew days away from coooooooooool summertime

Another quick question though. Since my a/c system has been open to the elements for about 2 years now, what should I do to flush the system, and what should I replace? Someone said I had to replace the condenser because it'll be full of water or somethign like that? I also want to convert to R134a from R12. Has anyone done this, and how difficult is it?

I also added p/s FINALLY yesterday... The car is becoming more civilized!

Sean

[rico05]

Glad to see that you finally got off your duff and put that compressor to use Keep us posted on the progress!

[float_6969]

I think it's the drier that needs replace once it's been exposed to the elements. It's that thing over by the battery tray. It has a little site glass on top and a plug for the pressure switch.

[biosehnsucht]

Yes, the receiver/drier needs replacing.

However you will want to pull the condenser out and get it cleaned out and drained etc.

To go to 134a you need an upgrade "kit" (or buy parts seperate) to get adapters and such so you can fit r134a crap to your car, and you might need a different drier (I'll find out if the stock units are r134a compatible ASAP as I'm needing to do this as well; they did make OEM r134a models for the 93.5+ S13's but they're discontinued).

I look at it this way. You're buying a new drier either way (~$70-80), so thats not a factor. Coolant is roughly 1/3 the cost, so thats good, and you have to buy some anyways, so thats good. You can either swap the compressors or possibly swap the clutch/pully assemblies (my friend will try this tomarrow w/ my SOHC one, but if its failure then time to get an AC shop or whatever to braze lines)

Also the system won't run as efficient unless we find a new pressure switch to go in the drier so that it'll operate in the correct range of pressure, otherwise it won't cool as well. That's something else I'm going to look into.

We almost thought I could just get a Mazda unit from a 3rd gen Protege as they're almost the same layout and dimensions etc, but the fittings don't match up. Granted, custom lines again could solve this, and my friend can get them cheaper at Mazda than I can at Nissan..

this all needs further investigation ASAP for all our sakes

[c-rad]

I'm starting a new thread about who has working A/C....

[Turbogixxer]

Another quick question though. Since my a/c system has been open to the elements for about 2 years now, what should I do to flush the system, and what should I replace? Someone said I had to replace the condenser because it'll be full of water or somethign like that? I also want to convert to R134a from R12. Has anyone done this, and how difficult is it?

Like the others have said above. The only thing I would do it blow the lines out with compressed air (with the dryer and compressor off). It cleans out the lines.

Also, you will have to add oil to the system. Drain your compressor, make sure there is no old oil in it. You need to put about 6-8 oz. of oil. Do not add all of it to the compressor. I put 4oz MAX in the compressor (normally, 2-3). Add 1-2 oz to the dryer. Then (if the system is completely dry) add the rest with you are pulling vacuum.

You WILL have to pull a vacuum to get off the water of of the system.

[biosehnsucht]

You WILL have to pull a vacuum to get off the water of of the system.

IOW, to anyone it wasn't clear to yet, you probably don't have the tools to get the AC working on your own, and have to take it to an AC shop at some point.