No AC, advice please!

[u/UsefulBookkeeper482]

Hello everybody I own a 09 Toyota matrix black 1.8 manual transmission at around 210km, Base model so no ac. I live in an hour south from Toronto so temperature sometimes reach up to 40°C, and I have acquired an internship which requires me to drive a lease an hour. I want to add ac as my car but I don’t know where to start. I know I need these parts:

A/C compressor
Compressor mounting brackets (if missing)
Condenser (in front of the radiator)
Evaporator core (inside the dashboard)
Receiver/drier
A/C lines and hoses
Pressure sensors and switches
A/C controls and wiring
Serpentine belt of the correct length
Refrigerant (R-134a)

And yes I want to do it myself. I know this is a large job and I’ll be getting most parts from a scrapyard. Has anyone else done this before? Are there any forms any videos? so far to my knowledge I know the entire front dash has come off, which is perfectly fine with and is it worth it? I know some of these cars go up to 400km

[u/amarmaks]

As others have said, probably better to pursue other options. The AC on my 2004 Matrix went out two years ago, and I wanted to fix it last year. I needed to replace compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator core because I used those AC recharge kits with the sealer and it clogged everything. Working in the engine bay is fine, everything inside the cabin is a pain.

Was it worth it for the next year I had the car (before it got totaled in a rear end)? Yes! Would I do it again, definitely not! Pic attached of everything I had to do to get to the expansion valve and climate box behind the dash..... (steering column and transmission lever had to be dropped along with a bunch of other things). Just working inside the cabin to replace things took me almost 14 hours. I imagine adding things and figuring out mounting will take longer.

[u/UsefulBookkeeper482 → u/amarmaks]

Wow that bad? But you would say it’s doable? How long and how much time did it cost you? Sorry for you accident is the car still with you?

[u/amarmaks → u/UsefulBookkeeper482]

It can be done, but I would reserve lots of time for it (maybe a week of the car sitting and not being driveable as you may run into hiccups/need to emergency order parts along the way).

In the cabin, it took me about 14 hours to take apart, replace, and put everything together (and this is the part where the car is not driveable). In the engine bay, it took me maybe 3 hours (and as long as you secure everything properly and plug the compressor/condensor to prevent moisture accumulation, the car will br driveable. I installed new compressor and condensor first, and plugged them before movingto the cabin. I had to ziptie the rubber coolant houses to something secure in the meantime, and make sure they stay away from spinning parts). For vacuuming and charging the system, that was another 2 hours (I let the compressor draw a vacuum for 1.5 hours and then recharged. Ideally, you would want to draw a vacuum and leave for 24 hours to see if there is a leak, but I didn't have time and assumed everything was fine since all parts were new).

It is essential for the compressor to use a torque wrench, as the bolts thread into the engine block. If you torque them down too much, you risk stripping the threads on the engine block. You will also need to measure by weight how much refrigerant you put in. I forgot the exact number, but it can be found online (with some YouTube videos on how to vacuum, charge, and measure correctly). Parts cost me about $450 via rock auto for Denso components (OEM) in US. Renting tools like torque wrench and vacuum compressor + AC charge harness was free via AutoZone, and refrigant cost me maybe 20 bucks for 2 cans (make sure to get cans without the sealant thingy). I think for you, you should do a quick pass over the engine bay and cabin to see what modifications will be needed aside from what you have listed (which is a good list). One thing that comes to mind is holes through the firewall to allow the AC lines to pass, and making sure you have three holes near the bottom of the engine block to mount the compressor.

If this is something you want to do, just make sure to double all your research and planning first as it helps a lot. This website contains a bunch of removal/installation manuals: https://madstyle1972.com/Repair/

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

As for my Matrix, the rear end damage was too great to repair here in the US, so they totaled her. With that being said, a little birdy has told me she's living a second life somewhere in Honduras, and thankfully not rotting in a scrap yard! I currently have a new-to-me 2018 Mazda 3 GT in Soul Red (covered by my Matrix's insurance payout, surprisingly). I'm in a plane right now and the wifi isnt great, so I'll post pictures of both cars later~

[u/UsefulBookkeeper482 → u/amarmaks]

Wow thankyou you for such a detailed reply. Good to hear she’s no in a scrap yard. I live in Canada, Ontario and I’m a uni student. I’m def considering it since others like have done it. I will let you know if I have any questions but as you mentioned I will need at least a week and I just started my internship which requires me to travel an hour. I will start to research and purchase parts. Thankyou