[jackrabbit000]

I have a '06 EXL and since brand new the AC takes awhile to get cold. It's cool from the vents but takes about 4-5 kms of driving before the air from the vents gets really ice cold. The dealer said that this is normal but...on our '04 Civic, as soon as you turn the AC on it's ice cold after about 30 secs. The dealer wants $250 to check out the ac system. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...thanks.

 

[OdyProspect]

My guess is that that's normal. A much bigger system than the Civic. More tubing,metal, larger evaporator and coolant to get working and to temp. Remember there is a whole rear system too.

I'd save my $250.

 

[fender4]

My guess is that that's normal. A much bigger system than the Civic. More tubing,metal, larger evaporator and coolant to get working and to temp. Remember there is a whole rear system too.

I'd save my $250.

I had the same problem on my 05 ex,,, what we did was evac the complete system and then put only enough back in to meet the low side of both pressure readings,,,still in spec just the low side,,, it worked,, turned out my system was over charged. Now I get colder air in about 1-2 minutes,, it took a good 5 minutes before. Go figure to much r134,,, D it was easy when you have the right equipment or the right guy to trust,, AC issues are huge money makers,, CAUTION

 

[jackrabbit000]

My guess is that that's normal. A much bigger system than the Civic. More tubing,metal, larger evaporator and coolant to get working and to temp. Remember there is a whole rear system too.

I'd save my $250.

I was just running the AC on the front, the rear was not turned on. I just find it strange that it takes a long drive before it actually gets really cold. Sometimes it takes a 15-30 minute drive but once it gets cold it stays there.

 

[OdyProspect]

15-30 minutes does sound like an issue to me and more importantly is much worse than others are reporting.

I have heard some knowledgeable people recommend evacuating the system under vacuum. Maintaining the vaccum for some time (~hour) to cause all the water in the system to "boil off" and then to refill the system using a weighted amount of refrigerant. Those who recommend this say that water accumulates in the system over time eventually overwhelming the drier and needs to be removed periodically.(every 3-5 years)

 

[jackrabbit000]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like I might have to take it in and get it recharged. Don't think there is s major problem because when it finally gets cold it stays cold.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

My problem is a noise from the compressor when it kicks in. It gets cold right away, and I'm in Texas where that is no small feat! 06