The air conditioning compressor on your 1998 Honda Civic can eventually weaken after years of heavy use, leaving the air stagnant within the system. The compressor can be changed my most car owners with basic automotive repair knowledge. However, do not attempt to evacuate the system by removing any of the refrigerant lines or components. The system must be evacuated by a service center. Once the lines have been evacuated, the compressor can be changed within a hour.
Take the vehicle to an air conditioning repair center or licensed service center and have the air conditioning system evacuated. The system, under high pressure, cannot be evacuated without the use of a special refrigerant system vacuum.
Raise the front of the vehicle with a vehicle jack. Place jack stands under the vehicle's frame rails to secure it while working under the vehicle.
Loosen the two bolts with a socket wrench on the side of the alternator. With the bolts loose, move the alternator down to create slack in the drive belt. Slip the drive belt from the alternator pulley, then remove it from the power steering pump pulley and AC compressor pulley.
Remove the two hoses running to the power steering pump. The pressure line is held to the pump with two mounting bolts that can be removed with a socket wrench. The return line is held in place by a spring clamp that can be loosened with pliers.
Remove the adjuster bolt with a socket wrench on the lower side of the power steering pump. Remove the mounting bolt with a socket wrench near the top of the power steering pump. Pull the pump from the engine compartment.
Remove the two bolts with a socket wrench holding the refrigerant lines to the air conditioning compressor.
Remove the four bolts with a socket wrench mounting the air conditioning compressor from the compressor bracket. Lower the air conditioning compressor through the bottom of the engine compartment.
Remove the air conditioning clutch mounting bolts with a socket wrench from the old compressor and remove the clutch. Attach the clutch to the new compressor and install the mounting bolts with a socket wrench. With some compressors, the clutch will not need to be changed.
Raise the new air conditioning compressor through the bottom of the engine compartment. Install the four mounting bolts with a socket wrench.
Attach the refrigerant lines to the compressor, installing the two bolts with a socket wrench.
Position the power steering pump against the engine block. Attach the mounting bolt and adjuster bolt with a socket wrench.
Attach the pressure line to the power steering pump, installing the two mounting bolts with a socket wrench. Connect the return line, loosening the hose clamp with pliers, moving the end of the hose over the outlet on the pump and releasing the pliers to tighten the hose clamp.
Guide the drive belt over the appropriate pulleys, following the routing diagram located on the radiator support in the engine compartment.
Install the two alternator bolts with a socket wrench. Leave the adjust bolt -- located near the bottom of the side of the alternator -- slightly loose. Place a pry bar under the alternator and pry upward, creating tension on the drive belt. Tighten the adjuster bolt with a socket wrench while forcing the alternator upward with a pry bar. An assistant is useful during this step.
Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
