Aircon Self install.

Szemen · Postby **Szemen** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:15 pm

Alright, since I've got plenty of time on my hand I think I'm going to have a crack at installing aircon myself. But before that, I've got a few questions to make sure I've got everything right.

1) Where do I get the O-rings as I'm aware that its best if I change all the o-rings on the piping.

2) On the workshop manual that I have, the aircon lines are routed from the left of the engine where the condenser is to the front of the engine as the evap core is located on the right hand side (US) even though the book is UK...Go figure! So with the NAs with aircons I have seen, a long pip is connect that overlaps the engine on the firewall. Is that right?

3) and most important, does anyone have any diagrams for RHD cars??? If not, can someone be kind enough to take photographs of their NA8 and how their aircon lines are routed.

RawSouth · Postby **RawSouth** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:40 pm

Sounds like a good excuse for a dodgy day man!

Szemen · Postby **Szemen** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:45 pm

ahah! I'm expecting more than a day actually >< But does sound good! Beers and pizza will be provided

mazdatenfive · Postby **mazdatenfive** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:59 pm

I think I have 3 o-rings.

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:35 pm

CBC do o-rings, as does a place called Norman Richards.

aviper4u · Postby **aviper4u** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:02 am

RawSouth wrote:Sounds like a good excuse for a dodgy day man!

sounds like a dodgy day in the works..... its been a while for me anyways lol

rossint · Postby **rossint** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:30 am

2 pipes on my NA6 both coming from the passenger side of the engine bay sticking out through the firewall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossint/39 ... 062350210/
The thin one runs across the top of the firewall passenger to drivers side then runs to the front of the engine bay. The thick one runs straight down the passenger side of the engine bay.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:13 pm

Before you get to far into the project you should first line up someone who will evacuate and charge the system for you after you've installed it. Legally only licenced persons can install A/C systems these days and I've found a lot of places were unwilling to evacuate/charge a system that they didn't install or wasn't installed by a qualified person.

Szemen · Postby **Szemen** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:00 pm

Cheers for all the suggestions. If CBC do o-rings and o-rings need to be changed in older piping to suit new gases, does that mean there are different materials for o-rings?

Gary: By evacuate do you mean evacuate it of air? I understand the charging part. Can't I just say the previous owner took out the gas and the a/c piping has been there since factory? :lol:

But yea, I'll ring around the St George area, does anyone have any recommendations? One more thing, whats the best way to reduce moisture in the system as all the pipes I have are opened ended so there might be moisture in there.

GP · Postby GP » Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:09 am

does that mean there are different materials for o-rings

Yes there are several different materials for o-rings. The standard black ones are Nitrile Rubber, The there's Silicon, Viton etc.

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:18 pm

Change all the o rings to 134a spec (green)Auto spec, will also require a/c oil and new receiver dryer.The oil is for the o rings do not use silicon grease as its not recommended anymore .

The evac of the system is to remove all condensation and to form a vacuum so the 134 can work efficiently, and takes at least 1 hour MIN!!!!!!
Word of warning, alloy a/c lines are a bastard to undo and just as hard to do up, lube with the a/c oil!!
The high and low pressure rubber hose should be replaced as they are over 15years old and will be perished( lots of small holes all through them ) a common problem with R12 gas.

Now once all this is done you will have nice cold air "well worth it

"

BTW!!! A/C does not need topping up ever UNLESS there is a leak somewhere, so if its got air in the system, bubbles in the sight glass, the system should be repaired properly.

Terry