Honda Car Forum

I own a Honda Civic LX 2001 and I now have AC problem.I took the car to the garage and they added freon but my problem persist. When I start my car the AC works but after a few minutes it starts to blow hot air. Sometimes it even starts to work again but less often now. Does anyone know what could be the problem and is that a Civic problem? And the most important question.....how much will it cost me!

You have a leak in the air conditioning system and the freon is leaking out. They need to pressure test the system and find the leak. It usually is the compressor or the heat exchanger. That problem happens with all cars.

there is definitely a leak in your AC. what happens is if the amount of gas/coolant in the system is low, it will cool initially but then the evaporator freezes and thats when it starts blowing warm air. switching off the AC for a while gives the ice time to melt and it should cool again but doing this is killing your compressor. get it pressure checked. leaks could be from anywhere, the condensor, evaporator pipes or joints. but as the gas leaks, so does the compressor oil so eventually you'll be running your compressor dry and burn the valves in it requiring changing the compressor as well. better sort it out soon before it becomes a multitude of problems rather than just one or two parts.the cost of repair depends on the parts to be changed and labour cost and that all depends on where you're based. can't advice on that. just don't go to dealers or they'll peel the skin off your back inch by inch with the bill

Kinayul, I am having a similar problem with my '01 Honda Civic A/C . . . wondering if you solved your problem, and if so, what was the solution? The only difference I see in your original problem and mine is that mine only seems to stop cooling when the temperature outside is above about 92-95 degrees.

I have a similar problem with my 2002 Civic. I had 2 small leaks in the system, I got them fixed and filled the coolant. But now, my AC still just works when it's cool outside. As soon as it's hot, the AC blows warm humide air.

I had the condenser changed last year (Honda extended waranty), so the guy at the garage now tells me that it's probably the compressor that is getting tired. Could it be that as soon as it is hot outside, the compressor can't manage???? What do you guys think?

And the humide air and smelly odors that is comming out, I read that it's because of fungus that grow on the evaporator...how can I eliminate this?

Thanks

McGraw1

Up!

I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer... Same problem. When the temperature was >99 degrees, it would feel like a blow dryer on high. Took it to Midas and they found a leak in the compressor (1500 repair!???) Took it to get a second opinion and found the valves on the high/low system were leaking. Only cost me $30 and it works like a champ now.

Yeah, I got my leaks fixed (added fluorescent dye in the AC unit to detect). I thought that was my problem as well. But since then, my AC doesn't work, specially when it's really hot outside.

So if my unit doesn't leak and my system if full of coolant, and the AC works OKish when its cool outside, but not when its warm or really hot, I guess it must be the compressor that is gone.