Complete AC removal.... anybody have a writeup??
 

Hey guys,



So my engine is out.... and my AC system is getting professionally depressureized tommorow. I want to get rid of as much AC components as i can. I have searched on this topic, but didnt get far (two thread which were useless)


Everything passed the firewall in the engine bay it pretty strait forward, but im not sure if this is the case with the stuff behind the firewall.


I do not want to take my dash out or rip apart my interior too much.


As far as i know the AC condenser/unit under the dash is down by the passenger footwell. So once removed what mods/block off and/or pipe am i going to have to route to get my climate system to work like stock??



Oh, and my car is a RHD... basically from what i have seen everything is just reversed (ECU is on the left had side of the car along with the harness, fuse box on the right).




Thanks in advance guys!


If i get some good responses i may even do a good write up for this unless the is already one.


=Ben

remove your glovebox and behind it under the dash is the plastic box which contains the ac core. remove the box ( 10mm bolts)and pull apart (phillips head screws) then you will be able to remove the alloy core. reassemble and fit back in under the dash. the heater will work as before....the empty plastic box will allow the air to circulate as before. Non A/c equiped FD's had an empty box OE

Tony.

any questions let me know

You are THE man!!!



1000000 forum points to you my friend!


I will keep you updated




=Ben

any idea of total weight savings from removing the AC?

I was reading somewhere that its ~80lbs... that seems like a LOT. I would have put it around 40-50lbs.


Ill have to weight my entire system today when i take it out.




Cheers.



=Ben

Just went out to the garage and weighed mine.

30 lbs even for all the HW.

Add a few lbs for the compressor oil and freon, so probably 35 lbs tops.

After removing the lines that go through the firewal to the condenser, be sure to make some kind of cover for that big hole left in the firewall. If you don't do so, passengers feet will get really hot.

Or so my wife informed me. The hole has been plugged, she said it was a big improvement.

Ya i plan on installing proper grommets after i remove everything in front of the firewall and everything behind it.


Im going to takle this job in a few minutes here!



=Ben

its a pretty easy job. btw i think all fds had a/c from factory

Guess I have something else to do this winter, damm this forum, more work for me ....lol...

there is two different drive belt numbers avail- 1 with and 1without a/c,also you can purchase the plastic box that houses the core from mazda with no core and no holes in it.

35lbs! not a bad saving at all

Hey guys,



Im in the middle of taking out my AC..



Ive taken out everything PAST the firewall, however i am confused as to how to take out the underdash unit!


I can only find one 10mm bolt to the firewall...



Can anybody help?



=Ben

UPDATE:



I managed to get the AC box out from under the dash!!!


FTW there is TWO 10mm bolts.. one directly below the AC unit and one up at the top of the box. Undo the top plug and slowly pull out.



OK, last question!


There is a sensor (appears to be a temperature sensor) attached to the AC box... Can i completly remove it???





=Ben

yup throw that away !

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.


I hope my car isnt going to give me an error code!



=Ben

i dont see why it wouhd i have done tis mod on 2 fd's with no problems at all.:)

Looking back i am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad that i did this mod. Cleans up the bay a LOT and makes engine removal a breeze. Just a quick check list of how to remove the AC for anybody who will look at this thread in the future.



1. Get your AC system depressurized professionaly (50-70$), the cost is irrelavent becuase mother nature will thank you for seeing past your own ignorance.

2. Unbolt AC lines from Firewall/holding brackets.

3. Remove compressor.

4. Remove front AC radiator

5. Remove the rest of the AC lines/AC tank in the engine bay.

6. Remove your glovebox/bracket behind it. Directly in front of you is the AC box. To the left is the fan box, and to the right is the heater box. Once the fasteners are removed this box will slid away from the other two (made this way).

7. Disconnect the water drain hose at the bottom of the AC box.

8. Remove/disconnect/move aside any pigtails/wires that may be in the way.

9. Remove the two 10mm bolts that hold the AC box in. There is one 10mm bolt close to the passenger floorboard. The other bolt is directly vertical of this one... wayyyy up the firewall, you will need a flashlight to see it and an extender to remove/install it.

10. With the AC box removed, open the box up into its two halves. Take out the AC evaporator/lines/the temp sensor on the outside of the box.

11. Using an adhesive and plastic.. Block off the big hole where the AC lines protruded from the AC box to the firewall. Also block off the small hole left by the temp sensor wire/probe.

12. Put the box back together and reinstall. (2 10mm bolts, water dump hose at the bottom, then install the glovebox)

13. Using the factory AC line grommet.. Use black polyurathane and fill the two holes within the grommet. I used tape to make the polyurathane flush on the firewall side.


And thats it. You have now removed a tumor from your car. ~30-40lbs lighter.



Sticky?? This would definatly have helped me when i was first thinking about removing the AC.



Cheers,




=Ben

Thanks for the write-up, I copied it into my collection of FD notes.

Is this breif write up worthy for sticky?!:naughty:


It would be awesome if everybody could benifit from it.


=Ben

Wait, professionally depressurized? Does not compute.

Awww common man, be eco friendly!. I did it, cost me 93$CAD... If you can afford an FD there is NO reason why you cannot afford to get things done right.



=Ben

It's because I have an FD that I would not be able to afford pay for this. Anyways, I'm sure mother nature started hating me once I eliminated all my emissions.

Just wondering how much did the condensor weigh, trying to decide if I will do this or not.

condenser is like 4lbs.. the system is pretty damn light, the only heavier part is the compressor

guess that's staying in there....

Like i said, everything is 30-40lbs...


If you take one thing out.. might as well take it all out.



=Ben