Hey everyone, my 85' 1.8L STD 5MT did not come with A/C and I've always wanted it.

I figure $300-400 hopefully covers the cost of the needed components and then I would install it.

I need help with the install. What exactly do I need? Does anyone on here have a 85' Accord they can take pictures of everything A/C for me? Maybe a manual or Honda Service A/C install write-up?

I know I need these components but I am not sure what else I would need:

- A/C Receiver Dryer
- A/C Evaporator Core
- A/C Compressor Pump (universal or oem?)
- A/C Condensor Radiator
- A/C Line and Hose (not sure exactly where or what however)
- A/C Engine Bay Relay(s)
- A/C Expansion Valve (maybe?)

The other questions would be, does my wiring harness have the necessary pigtails and plugs for everything? Would I have to do anything else underneath the dash with vacuum routing or would the A/C install be "plug-n-play" and just work when I move the temperature **** to cold, kicking the A/C on and all?

Lastly, what type of refrigerant would I use - does it depend on the compressor alone or the lines, radiator, core and more? I figure a universal compressor pump would use R134a.

Thank you kindly everyone!

 

The common diy tread on top of the gen tech help forum has a link for online shop manuals. I believe the hondatech link has a manual for your generation accord. Take a look at the shop manual.

Look at a parts site like rockauto to see what a/c components are available for your car.

I'd also recommend using R-134a, because R-12 is hard to find, and I believe expensive. There has to be a lot of information about converting on the web. I think you need to use different high and low fittings and PAG oil (not sure which one for the accord). I remember texashonda having some experience with this. Hopefully he will add comments to this thread.

 

I saw the manuals online for 86 Accord but not the 85 Accord unfortunately.

Hope to hear from texashonda!

 

Add a "1" in front of that $400.00

 

The 85 to 89 accords are the same generation, so the 86 shop manual should be almost identical to the 85 accord. Any changes in the 86 would be minor, so that shop manual will work for you.

You may want to find an 85-89 accord at a junkyard to see if you can find some parts. You might also see how the a/c system is setup if you found a car intact.

Purchasing everything new will start getting expensive.

 

Pretty sure the 85 is different than the 86 Accord. Simple question, does the hood open from the front of the car or from the windshield?

Anyway, adding AC to a car that did not come with it is going to get expensive pretty quick.

 

Poorman is right, and sorry about the last post. The 3rd generation accord is 86-89. Did a quick wikipedia search before and they list the production years for the generation, not the model years.

 

You'll need to find a junk car w/ AC to extract the evaporator. OEM parts may not be available. You should have a duct spacer where the evaporator housing/core installs.

Suggest opening the donor evaporator housing to inspect for debris and leaks. If only leaves, you probably have a good evaporator. However, there are old orings that connect expansion valve and feedback bulb. These should be replaced to avoid a future leak.

You will need a vacuum pump to confirm leak integrity (15 minute min hold time) and remove any moisture from system before charging.

Check autoacforum for detailed charging instructions.

good luck

 

Expensive is a relative term - did I do a decent job listing all the parts required or am I missing many? Because of all the parts I listed off, the total cost for NEW was about $370. Of course that doesn't include proper hoses and what not.

EDIT: the hood opens from the windshield back - 80's decapitation style.

 

With all the parts I listed, what else am I missing? I recall there being a spacer for the evap core housing.