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99 Civic LX been to garage twice A/C still broken again...

Scott111 on Mon June 24, 2013 8:08 PM User is offline

Year: 1999
Make: civic
Model: honda
Engine Size: 1,6
Refrigerant Type: 134
Ambient Temp: ??
Pressure Low: ??
Pressure High: ??
Country of Origin: United States

My A/C been good and cold for about 11 years. Last summer it started to blow just just warm air. So I got it fixed at this mom and pop shop I've been going there for a few years for oil and mufflers,brakes. They replaced the condenser, receiver, dryer and did a recharge it cost around 500$ it was good again for that summer last year.

This summer in the mid-west the tried the A/C not working again. I brought it back to the same shop and this time it was the in and out valves he replaced thats what he called it the problem then he had to do another recharge and the total this time was like 150$. It worked good for like 3 weeks I want to say and now it's blowing warm air again.

Should I bring it back to that shop for them to look at it again or bring it to the Honda dealer and have them look at it ? are they better trained for A/C work and have better tools to check the A/C system at the Honda dealer to dectet what the actully problem is ?

I'm not necessarily angry that I spent already 650$ and it's still broken I don't mind spending more money to fix again either I just want the A/C to work like new again and keep working. I only have 150,000 miles on the the car and it has new tires. I'd like to keep the car for a few more years. I actully thought maybe trading it in for a new one but I don't want a new car payment. Do you guys think it's dumb to even fix the A/C on a 14 year old car would you bother ?

There s guy at my work says that once the A/C goes on a car it can never be fixed and be reliable like it once was... so is that statment hold any truth ? Can it be fix and be good for at least 5 years solid years ? If you guys do suggest for me to go the dealership do the parts I've mention already that been changed would Honda want maybe to change them again ? Anyway the 64,000$ question is back to the shop or bring it to the dealer ? I know at the dealer worst case scenario it could cost up close to a 1000$ you think ?

thanks

iceman2555 on Mon June 24, 2013 10:40 PM User is offlineView users profile

It appears the system is loosing refrigerant. The source of this leakage must be located and repaired. The 'in and out' valves, it is assumed that these are the Schrader valves. Sure hope so....in and out valves...mufflers....breaks.....oil changes.....not to sure this matches AC repair or not.....sorry....just my sick humor.
Have the system fully charged, using the correct equipment....test to insure the fans are functioning, esp the AC condenser fan. It could be a simple release of refrigerant due to lack of condenser cooling. Insure that the system is totally leak free.....this does appear to be a case of having a leak and not locating and repairing as necessary.
It is felt that your friends statement lacks a great deal of validity. Have repaired many systems and have seen customers receive acceptable service for many years. A major contributor to a failed repaired system is taking short cuts or not fully evaluating the system after it has been repaired. It is felt that this is the probable cause of your problem.
Good luck.

-------------------------
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

mk378 on Mon June 24, 2013 11:03 PM User is offline

Leaks out in 3 weeks should be relatively easy to find, if he has a leak detector. The dealer won't have any better magic way to find leaks than a properly equipped independent shop would also have. There are two main ways to find leaks: electronic detectors and UV dye. UV dye must be added to the system beforehand as it only comes out while the system is fully charged and running. If you were running dye, it can then be seen using a blacklight.

Do not let anyone talk you into using a "stop leak" compound. It doesn't work, and it will ruin your system. Find the leak and replace the leaky part.

Edited: Mon June 24, 2013 at 11:07 PM by mk378

Cussboy on Tue June 25, 2013 12:12 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: Scott111
Do you guys think it's dumb to even fix the A/C on a 14 year old car would you bother ?

No, not dumb at all. My daily driver in Phoenix Arizona is a 25 year old Mazda truck, one made in Japan before they morphed into Rangers.


Quote
Originally posted by: Scott111

There's guy at my work says that once the A/C goes on a car it can never be fixed and be reliable like it once was... so is that statement hold any truth ? Can it be fix and be good for at least 5 years solid years ?

Ten years ago I replaced my AC compressor with a rebuilt one from this board's sponsor. At the same time I had the high pressure rubber line repaired, was leaking at a crimp. I flushed the condenser, added a new receiver drier, been fine ever since, so 10 years so far on that repair, and still R-12. If it breaks tomorrow, I'll check first with AMA for parts.

And a year or so before that, I installed a new evaporator from AMA (in stock, half dealer price) because my factory one had a leak right in its middle. So yes: repairs can be fine for more than 10 years.


In your case, find a dedicated automotive AC shop, not a Brake-O or Jiffy Lube, to troubleshoot your system. Most likely you have lost your R134a, so the leak needs to be found and repaired, then it should work fine, as per your own description how it worked fine for a year.

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