1996 Honda Accord AC leaks out charge

SAAILER

MEMBER
1996 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
195,000 MILES

Re-charged ac and approx. 1week charge leaked out. Mech. Checked dye tracer and said compressor is bad.$1100.00. I can buy a reman. Cond. With clutch for around $500.00. Question: what exactly leaks if trouble is condensor? O-rings? Reman. Part says no o-rings.

Connector hoses to and from the condensor are about $80.00. Question: how can you tell if compressor is leaking as opposed to hoses?

lastly: what purpose do fuse plugs serve? To much pressure and they blow? Could my leak be merely a fuse plug?

Thats three questions. Two days ago you really helped me get my daughter-in-laws maxima on the road. I greased your palm willingly. I am more then willing to grease it again. God bless saailer

1 Reply

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

The compressors leak out of the front seals adn teh body seals. If he used tracer dye, it should be easy to see the source of the leak. The high side produces 200+ psi, and at that mileage could very easily be the culprit.I would be a little leary of the less expensive compressor, we dont even consider thema s an option due to noise and leaks and lack of performance/longevity. Not trying to tell you to spend more, but my experience with the less expensive comp's isnt very good. Not sure what you mean by fuse plugs. There are blow off valves that will protect the system if pressure spikes too high, if they are leaking the dye would show it, as well as the condensor. The condensors sometimes can be damaged by road debris, but it doesnt happen too often.