1. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal.
2. Carefully drain the refrigerant.
3. Disconnect the line and hose from the evaporator joints on the firewall in the engine compartment. Hold the joints with a second wrench. Immediately cover the joints to prevent dirt from entering.
4. On a 1984-87 Prelude, remove the sealing rings from the firewall. Remove both lower instrument panel sections.
5. On a 1988-91 Prelude, remove the glove box.
6. Disconnect the wiring from the fan (1984-87) or thermostat. Release the wires from the clamps.
7. On a 1984-87 Prelude, remove the sealing strip located between the fan and the evaporator; remove the fan assembly.
8. On a 1988-91 Prelude, remove the fan seal strip if necessary.
9. Remove the evaporator mounting nuts and bolts. Remove the evaporator.
10. On Prelude 1984-87:
- a. Remove the screw and clamps from the casing.
- b. Carefully separate the housing halves to gain access to the capillary tube. Remove the thermostat tube from the evaporator fins.
- c. Separate the casing halves. Remove the cover.
- g. Remove the expansion valve if necessary.
11. On Prelude 1988-91:
- a. Remove the evaporator sensor from the evaporator fins.
- b. Remove the bolts and clamps holding the housing halves together.
- c. Carefully separate the housing halves and remove the covers.
- g. Remove the expansion valve if necessary.
To install:
12. Assemble the housing components as needed. Install the capillary tube in its original location. Assemble the upper and lower halves of the housing, making sure there are no gaps in the housing.
13. Install the evaporator assembly and tighten the lock nuts. Don't forget to attach the evaporator drain hose and route it outside the vehicle.
14. Connect the thermostat wire or fan wiring.
15. Install the glove box if it was removed. On early models, install the fan motor.
16. Install the sealing strips.
17. On 1984-87 Prelude, install the lower instrument panel pieces.
18. On 1984-87 Prelude, install the O-rings on the firewall.
19. Connect the receiver-dryer line and the suction hose. Tighten the receiver line to 17 Nm, the suction line to 32 Nm.
20. Fill the coolant and bleed the system. Start the system and check for leaks.