I want to buy an A/C unit, and found out I want, but just to make sure my car doesn't have any parts already, I wanted to know if I had to take my dash off to see if I have I think it's the condenser? Whatever part of the A/C that's behind the dash. I want to know if I could just remove the glove box.

I know I sound like an idiot, but I just don't remember the name of the part behind the dash, aha.

 

Yes, removing the glovebox gives you full access to the AC part of the HVAC system.
Alternatively, just open the hood and look at the firewall.
If the condenser is still in place, the two connectors for it will be sticking out through the firewall, waiting to be attached. If there are two open holes, the condenser has been removed.

 

I feel like an idiot, considering I could have just tried it before making the thread. But this is what behind my glove box shows. I'm assuming there isn't a condenser. It's ******* clean, though. Makes me happy knowing everything is clean on this car.

 

Nope, no AC.
You'll be needing the condenser and the box it fits in.
That tube connecting the fan to the diverter box is quite rare in the US, I wish I had one.

 

My car is a 91 N/A coupe with 96,000kms/60,000miles and it's a Canadian car.

So I take it, this is where the connectors would be coming out of?



And another noobish question, is this an oil cooler?

 

I got one from mazda a year and a half ago =D

 

What's the difference between having it and not having it?

 

2nd picture shown is an oem oil cooler. All FC's have them.

Roll down the windows and get a DC cigarette lighter powered dash fan for traffic... unless you live in the city. Just ride a bicycle then.

 

in the first 2 pictures, yep, the covered part with rubber insert is where the evaporator core comes out of. the core sits between the 2 ducts behind the glove box. You can get the connecting piece from Mazda I think, but it won't be cheap.

the 3rd picture shows FC oil cooler, all FCs have it.

The condenser would sit between the oil cooler and the Radiator. hold down by 2 bolts and 2 nuts that goes in from the front. Just remove the hood lock and you will have enough room to slip the condenser in.

Another thing u need to keep in mind is the Compressor and the idler Pulley, you can get them fairly cheap, usually less than 60 for both. You have N/A so you will need the Sanden Brand Compressor.

you will also need I think 6 or 7 pieces of tubes, plus a brand new A/C drier, Sanden's A/C drier cost about 30-40 new.

 

Where I'm moving 99% of my driving will be city. The only time I'll ever do more than 70-80kph is when I'm driving home on holidays. I'd prefer cold air than hot air blown at my face. I sold my bikes to buy this car, so that wouldn't work, now would it. I'd rather be hot for 5 minutes of driving than biking and get to school drenched in sweat after 15-20 mins of biking.

I have someone selling me a complete working A/C unit. Everything included, even bolts and brackets.
And yes, I'm aware I'll still need to get refrigerant and a new drier. This is coming off an N/A car, so everything should bolt in place, correcT?

 

Yep, except for the refrigerant and oil... thats umm, spray and pour in... respectively

 

new drier is a must
new refrigerant is a must (duh)
new ester oil is a must (don't EVER use PAG, mineral is old)
a working vacuum pump that can pull at least -29 mg (not gonna be cheap)
a working no-leak A/C manifold set (I said no-leak because my set is leaking, and it cost me pretty penny)

 

I've heard of the first three. Do I need to buy a vaccuum pump, or can I bring it to a shop and get them to do it? What would be cheaper.

 

Do you know anyone, even remotely, that works for a commercial a/c service company? They almost always have a mobile system in their truck/van and won't hesitate to evacuate your system for you.

If you offer to pay (beer/food), they'll charge it for you too.

 

No need to evacuate here... he's just installing. Unless he needs to evacuate his bowels... thats "always a good time." Pun intended.

I bet they wouldn't charge it with R22 - that crap is crazy expensive! The compressed air keyboard cleaner refrigerant gets my vote!

 

if u are close to NYC or in NYC, I can do it for you cheaply

Any good A/C shop can do the vacuum for you, as for charging, most wouldn't even touch anything other than R134a and will try their best to "talk" you into thinking R134A is good ****. Run and use either Freeze12 or the R152A

 

I'd love to visit NYC, but considering I just paid for college, I don't think I could afford the 500+ dollars in gas and hotel rooms along the way I'm sure an A/C shop is less than 700 bucks. Would be fun though.

 

I understand it doesn't need "evacuated" as in removing old refrigerant, what I meant was during the evac process they pull ~30in of vacuum as well. That would negate the need for the DIY'er to purchase said vacuum pump and only have to worry about filling the system.