'97 A/C compressor on 91?

[bobyang]

The compressor on my '91 failed recently (or is about to fail). It sounds like a lawnmower whenever A/C engages, and had seized at one point, tho I couldn't reproduce it.

I'm looking to convert from r12 to r134a not using a conversion kit (as in the FAQ), but installing a '97 compressor (per Don at Hilltop). The problem is that apparently the mounting bracket is different on the '97s than on compressors for the '91. Has anyone done this before? will the mounting bracket for the '97 A/C compressor work on a '91?

any help is appreciated.

-Bob

 

[duke]

Originally posted by byang:
The compressor on my '91 failed recently (or is about to fail). It sounds like a lawnmower whenever A/C engages, and had seized at one point, tho I couldn't reproduce it.

I'm looking to convert from r12 to r134a not using a conversion kit (as in the FAQ), but installing a '97 compressor (per Don at Hilltop). The problem is that apparently the mounting bracket is different on the '97s than on compressors for the '91. Has anyone done this before? will the mounting bracket for the '97 A/C compressor work on a '91?

any help is appreciated.

-Bob

Bob, I recently became to have the same problem on my '91
I let it check by my dealer but he could not
find a problem. I still have warrenty on the
car so maybe he does not want to change or
repair the compressor. I still haven't found
any news on this forum. Does your A/C still
works ok ? I also have an whistling sound
when I let the car 'loose' in 2nd gear and the A/C is working.
I hope we can get some help here
duke

 

[bobyang]

My A/C makes the lawnmower sound every time the compressor engages, so I haven't been using it at all. I'm taking it in for repair this Saturday. Here is what I"m going to have done:

Install new '91 compressor
Install new '91 clutch
Install r134a conversion kit

My other option was to install a compressor from a '93 and forego the r134a conversion kit, as NSXs received the more friendly refrigerant starting in '93. A compressor from a '97 will not fit pre-'97.

I didn't go this route because the cost of the '91 compressor with update kit was about half the cost of the '93 compressor (go figure).

All this information is thanks to Eric Milam from Niello Acura who was just incredibly great to deal with, and a nice guy to boot. Spent 20 minutes with me on the phone and got all of this information for me from Niello's tech guys. (Thanks Eric!)

oh, he also mentioned that replacing the compressor is key in converting to r134a from r12. All the conversions he's seen without changing the compressor have caused the compressor to fail after a few months. Aparently, the lubricant in the r134a is different from the r12 and wreaks havoc on the seals.

I'll let you know how everything turns out.

 

[nsxtasy]

Any idea how much this is all going to cost?

 

[bobyang]

well, the parts total was around $650 (with NSXCA discount). I'll find the total damage next week. The '93 compressor was like $1500 retail

Sorry, just to be clear, I'm replacing the A/C clutch, not tranny clutch, otherwise, my left kidney would be on ebay right now.