AC not working

TONYCADILLAC

MEMBER
2000 HONDA ODYSSEY
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
220,000 MILES

Hi,

During the summer, my AC was nice and working fine. I noticed the engine began running a little hotter than normal, but I Never let it over heat. After a cool down, I checked the radiator and filled it with 50/50 coolant. Upon restarting the engine, switching on the AC, I discovered the compressor did not switch on.
I took it to a local radiator/AC shop which said it was completely out of refrigerant, but started quoting me extremely high prices ($1,100.00) of replacing parts that I am skeptical about truly needing replaced.
.
Should I try a DIY AC recharge kit? If so, could you recommend one, and/or parts necessary for such?
Thank you in advance.
Tony

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,662 POSTS

You will need a recharge kit, but just to fill it so you can check for leaks because it sounds like it will just leak out again.

Here are some guides to help you get started to see what it will take to fix the car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-air-conditioner-works

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, October 19th, 2017 AT 1:28 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,476 POSTS

First thing to do is verify the system is empty. Being a 2000 it is very likely it has leaked out over the years and now the system is just very low. To do that you will need a gauge, the DIY charging kits usually have one but they are not super accurate.
Any reading above twenty pounds or so means it is just very low on charge. Follow the directions Ken linked to recharge it. But be careful, overcharging the system is not a good thing to do.

If it is really empty you have a bigger leak, The question is where? A quick trick to find a leak is to pressurize the system with R134A or Nitrogen (if it is fully empty you can even use shop air), then spray down everything you can with soapy water. Look for the bubbles. This will find 90% of leaks. The places it will not test are the evaporator core (buried in the dash so you cannot spray it) and compressor shaft seals. Because those are buried behind the clutch.

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Thursday, October 19th, 2017 AT 8:11 PM

TONYCADILLAC

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hey guys! Ken and Steve, Thank you for the prompt replies to my inquiry!

I ended up going to my local AutoZone to grab A/C Pro R134a Refrigerant. (See link: http://www.autozone.com/a-c-charging-and-refrigerant-freon/r134a-refrigerant/a-c-pro-c-pro-r-134a-a-c-pro-premium-not-for-hybrid-vehicles-with-electrical-driven-compressors/974768_0_0 )

It was very easy to use, and as per the instructions, I pumped in about a quarter of the 20 oz. can, and as the engine was running and AC on high, suddenly the compressor switched on! So, I finished the entire treatment. Now my AC is blowing cold! Apparently, the system was empty enough that the compressor could not detect any refrigerant.
There may be a leak, but so far, all is good! I will refer back to this post if there should be further need.
Thanks again,
Tony

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Thursday, October 19th, 2017 AT 11:18 PM

KEN L