2003 Honda Accord A/C won't blow cold air

Tiny
BLUEFUNK
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
Hi,

MAKE/MODEL: 2003 Accord EX 4 door Sedan

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do so I wondered if any of you could help me. I read that the 2003 accord has an exposed A/C condenser which is easily hit and fractured by pebbles which can results in a leak.

So A/C stopped blowing any cold air at all. When I turn the fan on I don't hear the compressor/condenser or anything engage. In Memphis, TN. This is torture with no A/C.

day 1:Jiffy Lube: There was no freon in the system. Had it recharged - compressor still wouldn't turn over

day 2: Auto shop: No freon left 24 hours later, obviously a leak. Shop I took it to recommended new compressor/clutch + receiver drier for a grand total of $1300.

Could either of the above components being faulty result in a leak? I read the compressor clutch does not turn on if there is insufficient pressure?

Should I get a second opinion or buy the parts elsewhere and get someone to install them? I don't trust the shop I went to

Thanks for your help, I'm completely retarded with anything mechanical
Sunday, August 15th, 2010 AT 3:52 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi Bluefunk, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

They should have ran a detection leak if its actually leaking somewhere. If you don't hear the clutch engage the compressor when you turn AC on-have the low and high pressure checked this will determine the amount of freon in it if okay check if the clutch is getting power if so and not engaging the compressor its no good
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Sunday, August 15th, 2010 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
First the leak must be found. AC systems are closed systems meaning there can be no access to the outside atmosphere. There are many reasons that AC systems leak. One, is a hole in the condenser, but the hoses could be worn from age, o-ring seals can be bad, among other things.
To find the leak-- a vacuum must be applied to the system with a vacuum pump for at least a half hour or so. This makes the atmosphere inside of the system almost zero. Without getting too technical, this is done to boil off moisture in the air, because moisture will cause serious damage to the system. In the process of applying a vacuum, a leak can be pretty easily detected. Take your car to a shop that can apply the proper vacuum to the system and they should be able to find the leak. If a shop does not know how to, or does not apply a vacuum to the AC system, then they have no idea about Ac systems - and I would not take my car there.
Also, just adding refrigerant to a system with a leak will turn the refrigerant to an acid -- because the system is open to the outside atmosphere (which has moisture in the air). Moisture inside of an AC system in VERY bad. The receiver/drier should be changed, and the system should be properly flushed out to get rid of any acid that may exist within the system. The compressor oil should be drained and examined to see if there is any debris inside of the compressor. Black oil in the compressor causes "black death" (a term any AC mechanic will be familiar with).
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Sunday, August 15th, 2010 AT 6:13 PM

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