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99 Civic LX been to garage twice A/C still broken again...
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Scott111
New User
Jun 24, 2013, 5:24 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1451 views)
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99 Civic LX been to garage twice A/C still broken again...
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My A/C been good and cold for about 11 years. Last summer it started to blow just just warm air. So I got it fixed at this mom and pop shop I've been going there for a few years for oil and mufflers,brakes. They replaced the condenser, receiver, dryer and did a recharge it cost around 500$ it was good again for that summer last year.
This summer in the mid-west the tried the A/C not working again. I brought it back to the same shop and this time it was the in and out valves he replaced thats what he called it the problem then he had to do another recharge and the total this time was like 150$. It worked good for like 3 weeks I want to say and now it's blowing warm air again.
Should I bring it back to that shop for them to look at it again or bring it to the Honda dealer and have them look at it ? are they better trained for A/C work and have better tools to check the A/C system at the Honda dealer to dectet what the actully problem is ?
I'm not necessarily angry that I spent already 650$ and it's still broken I don't mind spending more money to fix again either I just want the A/C to work like new again and keep working. I only have 150,000 miles on the the car and it has new tires. I'd like to keep the car for a few more years. I actully thought maybe trading it in for a new one but I don't want a new car payment. Do you guys think it's dumb to even fix the A/C on a 14 year old car would you bother ?
There s guy at my work says that once the A/C goes on a car it can never be fixed and be reliable like it once was... so is that statment hold any truth ? Can it be fix and be good for at least 5 years solid years ? If you guys do suggest for me to go the dealership do the parts I've mention already that been changed would Honda want maybe to change them again ? Anyway the 64,000$ question is back to the shop or bring it to the dealer ? I know at the dealer worst case scenario it could cost up close to a 1000$ you think ?
thanks
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 24, 2013, 6:18 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1434 views)
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Re: 99 Civic LX been to garage twice A/C still broken again...
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I don't know that either one of the options are the best. One thing you have to understand is that AC rerpairs are never cheap and a 14 year old car will have issues. The system has 3 major components along with numerous other things that have to be done in conjunction with repairing any of them. For $150 about all they could have done was to recharge the system, meaning they likely didn't actually repair anything. There are many independent shops that are skilled in AC repairs but there are also many that just think they are. I live in South Florida and even here there are many shops that shouldn't be doing AC work. I would look for a shop that specializes in AC repairs and see what they advise.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 26, 2013, 4:30 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1381 views)
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Re: 99 Civic LX been to garage twice A/C still broken again...
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Scott111:
Just some comments:
MVAC = Motor Vehicle Air Conditioningg and is pricey. Most common is system leaks and where or what can be nasty expensive or timely to fix. I don't need to look it up but this car doesn't hold/use a lot of refrigerant so a small leak will quickly fail to cool.
The other is the compessor's clutch air gap common and a PITA on these.
150,000 miles and you said "just" that! That's enough for most any and surprises happen.
Dealer or independent shop means little to me. The people or the tech matters more than some brand name on the door and they either do A/C work a lot or a little for A/C that matters. Finding slow leaks can be dang tricky. In the course you are losing lube (moved by correct charge) to compressor so that 5 cent O ring (if the trouble) gets nasty expensive. Can't really help that,
T
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