[Shotimes] Fixed my A/C!

[James White]

Love it! Also like 40 here in NWIndiana!

Ski season is soon approaching!  Gotta' get only 2 more Blizzaks for the
'93MTX, so we can get to the Michigan or Wisconsin Ski hills quickly...

regards, Jim White - greensho@crown.net
Valparaiso, Indiana
'93  5 SPEED   281k few mods
'95  5 SPEED   260k lots of mods
"double clutch"  it's good for both you and your SHO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirk Doucette" <Kirk.doucette@verizon.net>
To: <stevetatro@att.net>; <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 8:01 PM
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Fixed my A/C!


> A bit late in the season :)   its 42 degrees here right now
>
> Kirk J Doucette
> NESHOC President
> Stormtrooper-97 White
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of Steve Tatro
> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 5:52 PM
> To: shotimes@autox.team.net
> Subject: [Shotimes] Fixed my A/C!
>
> As you may recall, my a/c was having problems, and I suspected a bad
> compressor.
>
> Had decided to replace the compressor/clutch, the accumulator, the orifice
> tube/liquid line, and convert to R-134a.
>
> A co-worker of mine is taking auto mechanic classes at a local technical
> college, and he offered me the opportunity to work there, since there are
> R-12 recovery machines, R-134a machines, lifts, tools, etc.  Also, one of
> his instructors would be around if any problems arose.
>
> So, yesterday was the big day.  We got started about 9:00am.  Keep in mind
> that neither me nor my friend knows absolutely anything about a/c systems
> ;^).  It took us about 4 hours to evacuate the system and get everything
> torn apart.  Removed the battery and tray, alternator (so the compressor
> could come out the top like the repair manual said), belt, idle pulley,
> accumulator and line, liquid line, and compressor (those nuts/studs are
near
> impossible to get tools on).
>
> We took a 2-hour break so he could attend class (which was in the same big
> shop).  I tagged along so I could see what they were learning.  There was
> some Civic that wouldn't run, apparently had very little compression on a
> cylinder.
>
> We then got his instructor to give us some direction, figured out how much
> oil and R-134a we needed to put in (and where).  The instructor then
looked
> at my compressor/clutch on the table, and gave it a whirl.  He shocked me
> when he said "I think your compressor is fine, it's just your clutch
that's
> toast".  He explained the melted rubbery substance was probably from an
> incorrect clutch gap creating too much heat, melting the rubbery part.  I
> told him about my clutch gap difficulties of last summer, when I
eventually
> removed the smaller of the shims (which seems to be a popular course of
> action).  He said I may have brought these troubles on myself, so I gave
> myself one good kick in the arse.  Since I had a brand new compressor
> sitting there and the one I had taken out looked like hell and has 171k
> miles on it, I decided I'd just put the new one in.  C'est la vie.
>
> We took a one-hour lunch break (when I got to drive my buddy's S2000...fun
> little car!) and bought a new accessory belt from NAPA.  Mine looked
pretty
> bad, although it probably wasn't that close to failing.
>
> Anyway, we got back and started to reassemble.  First we put brand new
> o-rings and spring locks everywhere.  Poured half the oil required into
the
> compressor, and bolted it into place.  Attached the liquid line.  Put the
> rest of the required oil in the accumulator and installed it and the line
> (man is that a pain trying to fish that big tube into place).
>
> Since I was converting, we had to put the adapter fittings on both the
high
> and low sides.  No problem, although the high side (front of the car)
sticks
> up and is probably closer to the hood than I would like!
>
> Got the alternator and new belt put on, battery and tray reinstalled, and
> fired it up.  Started just fine!
>
> Shut it off to put the R-134a in.  It was so nice not having to use the
> little cans, rather having a large machine which measures exactly how much
> you want to put in!
>
> Started the car, went to MAX A/C and watched the high and low pressures.
> Everything was normal, and ice cold air was coming out the vents!  The
> clutch kept the compressor engaged just like it should.  Job completed at
> 8:00pm.  That's 11 hours minus the 3 hours of screwing around...8 hours of
> actually working!
>
> Sure, that's a long time.  I'm just glad it's done, and I was able to
learn
> something in the process.  With each completed job I'm less and less
scared
> of working on cars.  Besides, I have an estimate for $1400 to do the same
> job from the dealer.  I spent about $400 on brand new parts and a retrofit
> kit.
>
> Anyway, moral of the story is this:  When your clutch is acting up it may
be
> worth the few $$$ it costs to buy a new clutch assembly and install it.
The
> shim removal should be considered a temporary patch, with the realization
> that it may cause you additional headache down the road!
>
> That's all.
>
> Oh, did I mention the S2000?  Fun little car ;^)
>
> Steve Tatro
> Red/Black '93 with 171k miles
> Cincinnati, Ohio
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