1998 HONDA CIVIC Air conditioner

Description
Outline
The air conditioner system removes heat from the passenger compartment by circulating refrigerant through the system
as shown below.
BLOWER FAN
EVAPORATOR(Absorption of heati
EOUALIZING TUBE(Meters pressure andimproves the expansionvalve reaction time)
into the evaporator)CAPILLATY TUBE SENSING BULB
lControls the temPerature of the
ref rigerant leaving the evaporator
by metering the expansion valve)
/\
THERMOSTAT
A/C PRESSURE SWITCH
When the refrigerant is below
200 kPa (2.0 kgtcm',28 Psi)or above 3,200 kPa 132 kgflcm',
455 psi), the Ay'C pressure
switch opens the circuit to
the A,/C switch and stops the
EXPANSION VALVE(Meters the requiredamount of refrigerant
airconditioning to Protect the
compressor.
RECEIVER/DRYER(Traps debris, andremoves morsturel
THERMAL PROTECTOR
{Opens the comPressorclutch circuit when the
compressor temPeraturebecomes too high)
RELIEF VALVE(Relieves pressure at the
compressor when thepressure is too high)
(Radiation of heat)
I
f-r--; I
(Suction and comPression,
HIGH PRESSURE VAPOR
HtGH PRESSUBE LIOUID
LOW PRESSURE LIOUID
This car uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant which does not contain chlorofluorocarbons Pay attention to the following
service items:
. Do not mix refrigerants CFC-12 (R-12) and HFC-134a (R-134a)' They are not compatible'
. Useonlythe recommended polyalkyieneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil designedforthe R-134a compressor (SANDEN: SP-
10; DENSO: ND_OIL8). Intermixing ihe re-commended (pAG) refrigerant oil with any other refrigerant oil will result in
compressor failure.
. All A,,ic system parts {compressor, discharge line, suction line, evaporator, condenser, receiver/dryer, expansion valve'
O-rings for joints) have to be proper for refrigerant R- 134a Do not confuse with R-l2 parts'
. Use a halogen gas leak detector designed for refrigerant R-134a
. R-12 and R-134a refrigerant servacing equipment are not interchangeable. Use only a recovery/recycling/charging station
that is u,L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of sAE J2210 to service R-134a air conditioning systems'
. Always recover the refrigerant R-134a with an approved recovery/recycling/charging station before disconnecting any
A,/C fitting.
S]
22-5

A/C Service Tips and Precautions
The air conditioner system uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant and polyalkyleneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil*, which are not
compatible with CFC-12 (R-12) refrigerant and mineral oil. Do not use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil in this system, and do
not attempt to use R-12 servicing equipmenU damage to the air conditioner system or your servicing equipment will result.*Sanden SP-10:
. P/N 38897 - P13 - A0lAH: 120 ml 14ll.oz, 4.2lmp.oz)
. P/N 38899 - P13 - A0l | 40 mf 11 1/3ll.oz,1.4 lmp'oz)
Use only service equipment that is U.L. listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove R 134a
from the air conditioner system.
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditioner ref;ige;ant and lubricant vapol or mist can irritate syes, nose and throat, Avoid
breathing the air conditioner refrigerant and lubricant vapor or misl.
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.
R-'134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner systems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed
ai.
!@@ some mixtures of air and R-t3ila have been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures and can result
in tire or explosion causing iniury or property damage. Never use compressed air lo pressure tesl R-134a service equip-
ment or vehicle 8ir conditioner systoms.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and Iubricant manufacturers.
L Always disconnect the negative cable from the battery whenever replacing air conditioning pans.
2. Keep moisture and dust out of the system. When disconnecting any lines, plug or cap the fittings immediately; don't
remove the caps or plugs until just before you reconnect each line.
3. Before connecting any hose or line, apply a few drops of refrigerant oilto the O-ring.
4, When tightening o. loosening a fitting, use a second wrench to support the matching fitting.
5. When discharging the system, use a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station; don't release refrigerant
into the atmosphere,
6. Add refrigerant oil after replacing the following parts:
NOTE:
. To avoid contamination, do not return the oil to the container once dispensed, and never mix it with other refriger-
ant oils.
. lmmediately after using the oil, replace the cap on the container, and seal it to avoid moisture absorption.
. Do not spill the refrigerant oil on the vehicle; it may damage the paint; if the refrigerant oil contacts the paint, wash
it off immediately.
Condenser .......2o ml (2/3 fl.oz, 0.7 lmp.ozl
Evaporator .,.,.,. i[5 m{ 11 213 tl.oz,1,6lmp.ozl
Line or hose ..... 10 mf (1/3 fl.oz, 0.4 lmp.ozl
Receiver/Dryer 10 m{ (1/3 fl.oz,0.'l lmp.ozl
Leakage repair 25 m{ (5/6 fl.oz, 0.9 lmp.ozl
Comptessor ... For compressor replacement. subtract the volume of oil drained trom the
removed compressor from A, and drain the calculated volume of oilfrom the new
compressor: A - Volume of removed compressor: Volume to drain from new
comoressor.
A: SANDEN 130 mf l/t 113 ll.oz, 4.6 lmp'ozl; DENSO 140 mf {4 213 ll'oz, 1.9
lmp.oz),
NOTE: Even if no oil is drained from the removed compressor, don't drain more
than S0 m{ 112Ell.oz,1.8 lmp.oz) fromthe new compressor.
REMOVED NEW
COMPRESSORCOMPRESSOR
*DENSO ND-OlL 8l
. P/N 38897 - PR7 - A01AH: 120 ml (4 fl.oz)
. P/N 38899 PR7-A01:40mf (1 1/3fl'oz)
rereW W0000
22-22
-0_!- -0_a
Tol l00l
| | lffi 1 onrrrutrc I
fi+-sAME
LEvEr...+jEf,voLUME
J
^

A/C System Service
Performance Test
The performance test will help determine if the air con-
ditioner system is operating within specifications.
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the reouirements of SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system.
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditionor rofrigerant and
lubricant vapor or mist can irrilalo €yes, nose and
throat. Avoid breathing tho air conditioner rstrigerrnt
and lubricant vapor or mist,
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work
area before resuming service.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner sys-
tems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with
compressed air.
@ some mixtur$ of air and R-134a have been
shown lo b9 combustible rt glgvatad pr€ssur63 and can
resull in tire 01 oxplosion causing inlury ot property
damage. Never uao compre33ed air to pressure t99t R-
134a ssrvico 6quipmsnt or vohicla air conditioner sys-
tems.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained
from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
'1. Connect a R-134a refrigerant recover/recycling/
charging station to the vehicle, as shown, following
the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
2. lnsert a thermometer in the center vent outlet.
Determine the relative humidity and air tempera-
ture,
Test conditions:
. Avoid direct sunlight.
. Open hood.
. Open front doors.
. Set the temDerature control lever or dial to MAX,
COOL, the mode control switch or dial on VENT
and the recirculation control switch on RECIRCU-
LATE.
. Turn the A,/C switch on. and the heater fan switch
on MAX.
. Run the engine at 1,500 rpm.
. No driver or passengers in vehicle
After running the air conditioning for 10 minutes
under the above test conditions, read the delivery
temperature from the thermometer in the dash vent
and the high and low system pressure from the A,/C
gauges.
Recovery/Rocycling/Charging Station
22-24

Recovery
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditioner relrigerant and
lubricant vapor or mist can illitate eyes, noss and
throat. Avoid breathing the ail conditioner refrigerant
and lubricant vapor or mist.
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work
area before resuming service.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner sys-
tems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with
compressed air.
!@@ some mixtures ot air and R'13'[a havo been
strown to be combustiblg at elevated pressures and Gan
resuh in fire or explosion causing iniury or property dam-
age, Never use compressed air to pressure test R-134a
service equipment or vehicle air conditioner systems.
Additional health and safetv information may be obtained
from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
1, Connect a R-'134a refrigerant recove rylrecycling/
charging station to the vehicle, as shown. tollowing
the equipment manufacturer's instluctions.
2. Measure the amount of refrigerant oil removed from
the A/C svstem after the recovery process is com-
pleted.
NOTE: Be sure to install the same amount of new
refrigerant oil back into the Iy'C system before charg-
tno.
R€covery/Recyclin g/Cha19ing Station
22-27

Compressor (SANDENI
Replacement
1.lf the compressor is marginally operable, run the
engine at idle speed, and let the air conditioner
work for a few minutes. then shut the engine off.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
Recover the refrigerant with a recovery/recycling/
charging station (see page 22-27l..
Remove the bolts, then disconnect the suction and
discharge lines from the compressor.
NOTE: Plug or cap the lines immediately after dis-
connecting them to avoid moisture and dust con-
tamination.
6xl.0mm
Remove the condenser (see page 22-44).
NOTE: Do not disconnect the discharge hose from
the condenser.
Remove the power steering pump belt (see section
17 t.
22-30
24 N.m l2.ia kgt.m, 17 lbf.ftl
7. Loosen the center nut of the idler pulley and the
adjusting bolt. then remove the A,/C compressor belt
from the pulleys. Remove the two mounting bolts
from the left front mount, then remove the ly'C com-pressor belt by passing it through the gap befiiveen
the bodv and the left front mount.
ADJUSTING BOLT
1.0 x 1.25 mmaa N.m 14.5 kgf,m, 33 bnft)
8. Remove the four mounting bolts and the compressor.
CENTER NUT
COMPRESSOR

A/C System Service
Evacuation
Use only service equipment that is U L.-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the requirements oJ SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system'
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditioner reftig€lant and
lubricant vapor or misi can irrhaie eyes. noso and throat'
Avoid breathing the ail condhioner lefrigelant and lubri
cant vapor or mist.
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work
area before resuming servace.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner sys-
tems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with
comDressed air.
!!@@ some mixtures of air and R-13'[8 haYo boon
ffiiE-n to be "ombustible at elovatod pressurcs and can
result in fire or explosion causing iniury or propsrtY
damag€. Never uso complsssod air to pre3surs tost R-
1344 ssrvico equipment or vehicle air conditioner sy3-
tems,
Additional health and safety information may be obtained
from the refrigerant and lubricant manuJacturers'
When an A,/C System has been opened to the atmo-
sphere, such as during installation or repair, it must
be evacuated using a R-134a refrigerant recovery/
recycling/charging station. (lf the system has been
open for several days, the receiver/dryer should be
replaced, and the system should be evacuated for
several hours.)
Connect a R-134a refrigerant recovery/
recycling/charging station to the vehicle, as shown'
following the equipment manufacturer's instruc-
trons.
NOTE: lf low pressure does not reach more than 93 3
kPa (7OO mmHg,27.6 in.Hgl in 15 minutes, there is
probably a leak in the system Partially charge the
system, and check for leaks (see Leak Test)
1.
R6covory/Recyclin g/Chal9ing Station
22-45'

A/C System Service
Charging
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system.
CAUTION: Exposure to air conditioner refrigerant and
lubricant vapor or mist can irritale eyes, nose and
throat. Avoid breathing the air conditioner retrigerant
and lubricant vaoor or mist,
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate workarea before resuming service, Additional health and
safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant
and lubricant manufacturers.
Refrigerant capacityt 600 - 650 g 121.1 - 22.9 ozl
CAUnON: Do not overcharg€ the system; the comprcssor
will be damaged.
Connect a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging
station to the vehicle, as shown, following the equipment
manufacturer's instructions.
Recovery/Recycling/Charging Station
22-46
Leak Test
Use only service equipment that is U.L,-listed and is cer-
tified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove
HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioner system.
CAUTION: Exposure io air conditioner refrigerant and
lubricant vapot or mist can itritats eyes, no36 and thtoat.
Avoid breathing the air conditioner refrigeranl and lubri-
cant vapor or mist,
lf accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate workarea betore resuming service.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioner sys-
tems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with
comoressed air.
@ some mixtures of air and R-134a have
been shown to be combugtibls at elevatgd prossures
and can result in tire or explosion causing iniuly orplopgrty damage. Nev€r usc compre33od air to pressure
test R-13'la servica oquipment or yohiclo air conditionor
systems.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained
from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
1. Connect a R-134a refrigerant recove rylrecycling/
charging station to the vehicle, as shown in the pre-
vious column, following the equipment manufactur-
er's instructions.
NOTE; Be sure to install the same amount of new
refrigerant oil back into the A,/C system before charg-In9.
Open the high-pressure valve to charge the system
to the specified capacity, then close the supply
valve, and remove the charging system couplers.
Rofrigerant capacity: 600 - 650 g (21.1 - 22.9 oz)
Check the system for leaks using a R-134a refriger-
ant leak detector with an accuracy of 14 9 10.5 ozlper yea. or better.
lf you find leaks that require the system to be opened(to repair or replace hoses. fittings. etc.), recover the
system according to the Recovery Procedure on page
22-27.
After checking and repairing leaks. the system must
be evacuated (see System Evacuation on page 22-451.

-lgnition Timing Inspection and Setting
1.Check the idle speed, and adjust it it necessary (see
section 'l '1 ).
Pull out the service check connector 2P (BRN and BLK
wires) from the connector holder located under the
dash on the front passenger side, then connect the
SCS service connector (T/N 07PAZ - 0010'100) to it.
Start the engine. Hold the engine at 3.000 rpm with
no load {A,/T in E or E. M/T in neutral) until the
radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
Connect the timing light to the No. 1 ignition wire,
then point the light toward the pointer on the timing
belt cover.
Check the ignition timing in no load conditions:
headlights. blower fan, rear window defogger, and
air conditioner are not operating.
lgnhion Timing:
D15Y5. D16Y7, Dl6Yg engines
816A2 engine
MIT16" 12' BTDC (RED) during idling in
neutral
M/T12't 2" BTDC (RED) during idling in
neutral
l2'r 2" BTDC {RED) during idling in S
orE
POINTEB
RED MARK
23-105
ro ADVANCE -<;,
6. Adjust the ignition timing if necessary, as follows.
Loosen the distributor mounting bolts. and turn the
distributor ignition (Dl) housing counterclockwise to
advance the timing, or clockwise to retard the tim-
ing.
MOUNTING BOLTS18 N'm (1.8 kgfm, 13lblftl
Tighten the distributor mounting bolts, and recheck
the ignition timing.
Disconnect the SCS service connector from the ser-
vice check connector.
7.