AC Unit

[murphykevin15]

I'm replacing my AC Compressor right now and I was just about to order a new Sanden when I saw that I had an old rebuilt Honda compressor sitting around. Out of curiosity is there any reason that it wouldn't work? The AC system seems pretty simple, why wouldn't this be able to do the job?

[Arizona02]

 older Honda 4 cyl engines run counter clockwise and the ac comp , alt , ps pump

[Conserv]

I suspect a primary reason that 2002 A/C has migrated specifically to the Sanden compressor (and Sanden knock-offs), as opposed to X, Y, or Z compressors, is because there is a readily-available mount -- a.k.a., the "hobiedave mount" -- that works well with the Sanden unit.  I'm confident a wide range of compressors would serve equally well, assuming they either (a.) work with the hobiedave mount; or (b.) are properly otherwise mounted.

 

The '02 compressor history of which I'm aware is that York reciprocating compressors were standard equipment on Behr units and early (1975-78) Clardy units.  Then Clardy created a stir, ca. 1978, by offering an optional Sankyo rotary -- which looked virtually identical to the newer Sanden rotary compressor.  Clardy also offered a modified mount for the Sankyo rotary compressor, and hobiedave apparently used one of these mounts as a starting point when he designed his "hobiedave mount"!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited March 9, 2017 by Conserv

[Mike Self]

The other reason folks switched from the York piston compressors to the rotaries was that (1) the York compressors failed with disappointing regularity (I had two go bad in three years), and (2) more importantly, the Yorks caused a lot of engine movement which also made the car shake plus they took a lot of power.  The Sankyo/Sanden rotaries used much less power and were absolutely smooth in operation.  When my second York blew up (literally) back in 1981, I switched to a Sankyo rotary--it's still on the car. 

 

cheers

mike