04 Accord CTDI - Air Con problem ! again!

[SCOTTP999]

Hi all

have an 04 CTDI - had it for a couple of months now and has high mileage (167k) and a full history. I had thought the air con wasnt working but something odd has happened!

The past week, ive used it and discovered that:

* Cold air is coming out the passengers left air vent (most of the time)
* Not- as- cold air is coming out the passenger centre vent
* Normal air is coming out of the drivers centre and door side vent!!!

Dont know if this matters but the car sat from september to december last year (throughout the cold weather) without use - only driven to be motd and back again.

It then sat until April until i bought it with the owner turning it over once a week.

Checked the low side pressure on the a/c- that was high so let some pressure out. Also, the condensor is working and the compressor turning ok.

My local Honda dealer is part of a large chain owned by a gent whos surname rhymes with Shark (East Scotland) - not keen on taking it there but a mechanic I know suggested as it sat for so long, it may have a blockage and recommended a deep clean, extracting all the old stuff and having a recharge??

I saw a reply prior to another prob that may have pointed to the same thing

any suggestions??? I know Scotland isnt tropical but it is a Tourer so is baking even when we have our usual small dose of sun!!lol

p.s. got a great deal from Lubetech on 0/30 oil-cheers

 

[Dan Robinson]

Where did you release the pressure and what did you do with the refrigerant afterwards?

I would take it to an ac specialist (check your pollen filter first though) and leave well alone.

 

[SCOTTP999]

Where did you release the pressure and what did you do with the refrigerant afterwards?

I would take it to an ac specialist (check your pollen filter first though) and leave well alone.

Hi- a friend who works for a errr, tyre and exhaust specialist removed some using their a/c machine-however, i didnt want to pay for the full recharge as, even though he is ok, didnt want it overcharged causing more probs.

Rather see a specialist so ill take your advice! I had heard some Accords had this prob of only blowing cold air out one side- replaced the pollen filter and no difference

 

[davecmr]

I had a similar problem once the outside temperature got to around 20 degrees + the drivers side vents were not as cold as the passenger side one. I had an a/c service done at my local dealer where they suck all the gas out etc and re-charge it. Today at 31 degrees outside all vents blowing nice and cold.

Get it taken to an a/c specialist, my Honda dealer only charged me £40 to do it and to be honest they cant do much wrong as its just a case of setting the computer up and letting it do its thing.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Good move bud. That gas is nasty stuff.

 

[SCOTTP999]

Fixed despite local dealer trying to rip me off!

While I was buying a compliance bush, spoke to the service guy and explained my problem. The dealers second name rhymes with Shark.

Me : Could it need a recharge? How much is it ?
Guy: No, if you have cold air on 1 side its charged ok. A recharge is £49.99
Me : I saw something on a Honda forum (here) that a full recharge removed air from the system?
Guy : No, it must be the blend motor or a vent
Me : If it was the motor or the vent, wouldnt the air flow be less on the drivers side?
Guy : Yes
Me : It isnt- all vents are the same flow
Guy : Well theres no point recharging it and none of the mechanics have heard of this problem so we would need to get behind the dash and have a look- 1 hour labour will be £81-when do you want it booked in?
Me : Ill let you know

I took a chance and drove to Halfords as i searched back and saw a member had a similar problem. Bought myself some EZ Chill Auto Air Con gas.

CAREFULLY (!!), gassed the system -constantly checking the gauge to ensure no high pressure.

15 minutes later, ice cold air conditioning on all vents!!

Im not saying this will work for everyone but it did for me and the system is still same pressure as yesterday.

Moral here is that I will never trust this well known dealer with my car - even before I bought a Honda, this UK dealer has a rep for poor work and service. They even did themselves out of an aircon recharge!

I really wish I lived near Stoke so I could take in to HH!!!

Cheers guys
p.s., its raining in Scotland today!!! Are there any Honda dealers recommended up here?

 

[davecmr]

So it looks like getting it re-charged like I did with mine would have sorted it out, at least its fixed now though