So finally my question is; if Honda does find the AC gas leak at the rear evap core, is it really the evap core itself is leaking AC gas or would it likely be just worn out o-rings?
Any single component in the entire system that holds refrigerant is a possible suspect. It can be very difficult to isolate which one is the problem without the right tools. The dye as you describe is intended to be used with an ultraviolet light, when you shine one on a leak spot with dyed oil it will show up a bright green color.
My next question; if it really is the rear evap core that's leaking and needs to be replaced, do you recommend the Honda oem rear evap core that'll set me back about $1,000 (not including labor) or can I use an after market rear evap core instead. Amazon has a seller selling a compatible one about $100 after shipping. I know Honda original is always better, is this something I need to pay $1,000 for?
Under no circumstances should you be buying Honda parts off of Amazon. It's been beaten to death in other threads that there are generic/clones of genuine Honda parts being sold with the Honda sticker. Amazon has no real incentive to root out these bad sellers, either way they make money on a sale. If you don't want to source locally from a dealer, a lot of them have their own online sites, search Majestic Honda, Bernardi Parts, or HondaPartsNow.com, they are all legitimate Honda retailers.
Question re rear condenser leak
I drive a 2010 Ex-L and I'm losing AC gas. I've been refilling my AC with the AC gas with the florescent dye. In the past about two weeks, I've topped off the AC with this AC gas three times now using about 3/4 of the can (of AC gas).
Just earlier this month, I've been having trouble with the AC vent actuators, so I had my local Honda service center find the non-working one to replace. Done.
January of this year, I lost AC and I noticed my AC clutch wasn't spinning so I took it into Honda to fix, they replaced the clutch and the compressor.
Looking under the hood, I didn't see any florescent dye indicating AC gas leak (I haven't looked from underneath). I had Honda work on the AC clutch, compressor, and the vent door actuators. At that time AC gas pressure was fine so as a guess, I'm thinking the leak occurring with the rear evaporator core.
I've already had Honda fix the AC gas leaking from the rear AC condenser core about 3 years ago. Honda replaced the rear condenser core, the expansion valve(?) and all of the affected o-rings.
So finally my question is; if Honda does find the AC gas leak at the rear evap core, is it really the evap core itself is leaking AC gas or would it likely be just worn out o-rings?
My next question; if it really is the rear evap core that's leaking and needs to be replaced, do you recommend the Honda oem rear evap core that'll set me back about $1,000 (not including labor) or can I use an after market rear evap core instead. Amazon has a seller selling a compatible one about $100 after shipping. I know Honda original is always better, is this something I need to pay $1,000 for?
Any advice or comment is very appreciated. Thank you taking time reading my post.
Thanks
Angelo
Just earlier this month, I've been having trouble with the AC vent actuators, so I had my local Honda service center find the non-working one to replace. Done.
January of this year, I lost AC and I noticed my AC clutch wasn't spinning so I took it into Honda to fix, they replaced the clutch and the compressor.
Looking under the hood, I didn't see any florescent dye indicating AC gas leak (I haven't looked from underneath). I had Honda work on the AC clutch, compressor, and the vent door actuators. At that time AC gas pressure was fine so as a guess, I'm thinking the leak occurring with the rear evaporator core.
I've already had Honda fix the AC gas leaking from the rear AC condenser core about 3 years ago. Honda replaced the rear condenser core, the expansion valve(?) and all of the affected o-rings.
So finally my question is; if Honda does find the AC gas leak at the rear evap core, is it really the evap core itself is leaking AC gas or would it likely be just worn out o-rings?
My next question; if it really is the rear evap core that's leaking and needs to be replaced, do you recommend the Honda oem rear evap core that'll set me back about $1,000 (not including labor) or can I use an after market rear evap core instead. Amazon has a seller selling a compatible one about $100 after shipping. I know Honda original is always better, is this something I need to pay $1,000 for?
Any advice or comment is very appreciated. Thank you taking time reading my post.
Thanks
Angelo
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
It's all one system, front and rear. If the pressure is good yet the rear doesn't give cold air, the problem is something other than a leak.At that time AC gas pressure was fine so as a guess, I'm thinking the leak occurring with the rear evaporator core.
I'm a bit confused about who is managing the diagnosis, you or the dealer, and exactly what the present problem is.
Thank you guys for your comments. Do not buy Honda parts from Amazon, gotcha!
And to clarify the last poster, the AC gas pressure was fine (past tense) when I had the AC serviced earlier this year to change out the AC clutch, AC evaporator, and the failing vent door actuators.
But, I'm loosing pressure now which I've rectified by charging up the AC gas using aftermarket diy AC gas with the meter that also includes the florescent dye. Now about 3 times so far in to course of 2 weeks. It's a leak.
I will be turning in my ody to Honda to find the leak and have them fix it but 1st, lil ot but I'm going to tackle changing my timing belt all on my own (with the help of prof. Google and YouTube) when the parts all come in. I'll be turning in my ody for AC servicing after I'm done with the timing belt.
I do have a UV flashlight and doing a cursory inspection under the hood, I didn't see any signs of a leak. Because Honda replaced my AC clutch, condenser, and actuators recently, I'm guessing the leak probably happening in the back with the rear condenser core.
I'm no certified SAE (ASE?) mechanic but I'm actually pretty good at troubshooting most of my ody problems and issues. Another lil ot, I got a 1st time error code p3400 today. Prof Google had a list of probable causes for error code p3400 but on a Honda likely cause is probably a failing oil pressure sensor switch. I bought the oil sensor (had to go back a 2nd time to pickup a 24mm long socket) but easy replacement. So far the error code hasn't come back
And to clarify the last poster, the AC gas pressure was fine (past tense) when I had the AC serviced earlier this year to change out the AC clutch, AC evaporator, and the failing vent door actuators.
But, I'm loosing pressure now which I've rectified by charging up the AC gas using aftermarket diy AC gas with the meter that also includes the florescent dye. Now about 3 times so far in to course of 2 weeks. It's a leak.
I will be turning in my ody to Honda to find the leak and have them fix it but 1st, lil ot but I'm going to tackle changing my timing belt all on my own (with the help of prof. Google and YouTube) when the parts all come in. I'll be turning in my ody for AC servicing after I'm done with the timing belt.
I do have a UV flashlight and doing a cursory inspection under the hood, I didn't see any signs of a leak. Because Honda replaced my AC clutch, condenser, and actuators recently, I'm guessing the leak probably happening in the back with the rear condenser core.
I'm no certified SAE (ASE?) mechanic but I'm actually pretty good at troubshooting most of my ody problems and issues. Another lil ot, I got a 1st time error code p3400 today. Prof Google had a list of probable causes for error code p3400 but on a Honda likely cause is probably a failing oil pressure sensor switch. I bought the oil sensor (had to go back a 2nd time to pickup a 24mm long socket) but easy replacement. So far the error code hasn't come back
Re this question, ultimately it'll be Honda service managing the diagnosis and the repair to my AC but I like knowing the actual problem b4 I take it in for servicing. And the 2nd part of your question, 'what exactly is the problem?'. I have an AC gas leak likely from the rear evap core (just my guess). So to clarify my original question was, if Honda tells me I have a leak in my rear evap core and it needs to be replaced, can I use a cheaper aftermarket compatible rear evap core instead of Honda oem rear evap core?I'm a bit confused about who is managing the diagnosis, you or the dealer,
Hope that helps
This is by far the worst thing you can do for your A/C system. Pressure is not an accurate way of measuring refrigerant level, and those DIY cans typically have all kinds of additives that screw up the system.by charging up the AC gas using aftermarket diy AC gas with the meter that also includes the florescent dye
I wouldn't just assume it's the rear evaporator core... you say it's already been replaced once?
Do you have a good UV light? You can rent one (free) from Autozone. (They also have gauges.) Until you find the leak, it's speculation.
Do you have a good UV light? You can rent one (free) from Autozone. (They also have gauges.) Until you find the leak, it's speculation.
Yes, and furthermore many AC techs won't work on a system that's been exposed to those products.those DIY cans typically have all kinds of additives that screw up the system.
They add too many unknown variables that increase the chance of a failed repair.
Ding ding ding. If we ever had a suspicion the system had been tampered with by the customer or a different shop we would use a refrigerant analyzer to check for impurities and sealants, any time sealant came up an entire A/C system plus labor is quoted. From my past, dearest customers, I've been cursed at, called an idiot, told to go back to school, "tell that to the parts guy who sold me the can", you name it. I don't care, that sealant is BAD for these systems and we wouldn't hook up our $6K Robinair machines to those, they would get ruined also!Yes, and furthermore many AC techs won't work on a system that's been exposed to those products.
They add too many unknown variables that increase the chance of a failed repair.
Thank you all for your reply and comments.
As for comments like 'don't use after market AC gas', at this point I've already used about a can worth so it's really a moot point. As for Honda refusing to work on my AC because 'it's been worked on by someone else' (me) isn't likely going to happen. I've been using them for many years when a repair /service is above my pay grade to DIY, they've been good servicing my repairs. They're just so darn expensive I do what I can myself when possible.
But I can understand a new mechanic not wanting to work on my odyssey. I got wires under the hood going all over and seeing them for the 1st time I can imagine them thinking WTF? Another bit of OT but That's because over the years, I've added this and that, lots and lots of just stuff. For example I have a 2nd battery running all my accessories and gadgets, 200w solar panel on the roof of my van, a supercap battery to help boost starting the engine. And that's just the tip of the iceberg as to all the things I've added or done.
Anyway b4 I get too ot, Thank you for all your replies and comments. As for the AC leak repair, there is nothing I can really do except to hand it over to Honda for repair. AC repair in not something I can't DIY, I don't have the tools and I don't plan on getting any so anything AC problems will continue to be something above my pay grade to address.
Thanks again
Angelo
The END
As for comments like 'don't use after market AC gas', at this point I've already used about a can worth so it's really a moot point. As for Honda refusing to work on my AC because 'it's been worked on by someone else' (me) isn't likely going to happen. I've been using them for many years when a repair /service is above my pay grade to DIY, they've been good servicing my repairs. They're just so darn expensive I do what I can myself when possible.
But I can understand a new mechanic not wanting to work on my odyssey. I got wires under the hood going all over and seeing them for the 1st time I can imagine them thinking WTF? Another bit of OT but That's because over the years, I've added this and that, lots and lots of just stuff. For example I have a 2nd battery running all my accessories and gadgets, 200w solar panel on the roof of my van, a supercap battery to help boost starting the engine. And that's just the tip of the iceberg as to all the things I've added or done.
Anyway b4 I get too ot, Thank you for all your replies and comments. As for the AC leak repair, there is nothing I can really do except to hand it over to Honda for repair. AC repair in not something I can't DIY, I don't have the tools and I don't plan on getting any so anything AC problems will continue to be something above my pay grade to address.
Thanks again
Angelo
The END
Good plan.As for the AC leak repair, there is nothing I can really do except to hand it over to Honda for repair.
AC work needs specialized equipment that only a very few folks have in their home garage.
Do let us know what they find.
The fact that someone else worked on it isn't the problem. The problem is the additives that you've undoubtedly introduced to the system.As for Honda refusing to work on my AC because 'it's been worked on by someone else'
The fact that someone else worked on it isn't the problem. The problem is the additives that you've undoubtedly introduced to the system.
Can't the shop remove those additives (without damaging their equipment) when they do the evacuation of the system?
Evacuating the system how? Using said equipment.Can't the shop remove those additives (without damaging their equipment) when they do the evacuation of the system?
Yes. What's the big deal with just evacuating the system, with all those allegedly terrible additives, and then refilling it with unadulterated R134?Evacuating the system how? Using said equipment.
The additives are still getting into the system that way and making a mess.Yes. What's the big deal with just evacuating the system, with all those allegedly terrible additives, and then refilling it with unadulterated R134?
First step would be to identify which additives were in fact put into the system... I don't expect UV dye to be a problem.
The additives are still getting into the system that way and making a mess.
Okay, but I am asking about the claim, such as in Post #8,
"those DIY cans typically have all kinds of additives that screw up the system."
and
"Yes, and furthermore many AC techs won't work on a system that's been exposed to those products. They add too many unknown variables that increase the chance of a failed repair."
I'm just wondering if a professional A/C repair shop's response to avro's (and others') request for diagnostic and/or repair help, would really be a refusal to do anything. Would the shop's technician really say "You put a can of R-134 from Autozone in? Sorry, there's nothing I can do at this point."
If they find evidence that a can with additives was used in the system, they'd likely either refuse work or charge extra.I'm just wondering if a professional A/C repair shop's response to avro's (and others') request for diagnostic and/or repair help, would really be a refusal to do anything. Would the shop's technician really say "You put a can of R-134 from Autozone in? Sorry, there's nothing I can do at this point."
Yeah, many shops have that policy.If they find evidence that a can with additives was used in the system, they'd likely either refuse work or charge extra.
Some others couldn't care less.
So it just depends on the shop's policy. There's no single answer for all shops.professional A/C repair shop's response
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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