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Hello, I wanted to see if I could get any tips to performing the A/C repair that I'll be doing. I have leaks at both schrader valves and also at a high pressure rubber hose. After vacuuming the system, I will be replacing the leaking parts and possibly flushing the system, but I was wondering if anyone knows of a good tutorial or video for vacuuming the sytsem and replacing the valves and hose.

I believe the hose is #14 in the diagram at the following link, and it is a short rubber hose between the compressor and the steel line that goes to the condenser, and the leak appears to be coming out of the "crimped" metal fitting where it goes over the rubber hose.

http://www.dealerdirectparts.com/2001-HONDA-ACCORD-LX-A-C-Refrigerant-Disch-p/honda-3379480-accord-lx-4.htm

Thanks!  

#14 looks like the low pressure hose  or suction hose from the evaporator to the suction port on the compressor...



i could be totally wrong.. as i avoid AC work like the plague..  i send it out..  as i don't have the tools and flush guns to properly service the systems..   i hate it when the AC fails.. so i get a specialist to do it correctly..

don't forget i have been a mechanic for 30 years... i just try to fix it right for the customer..  

if i cannot do the job right.. i send it to somebody who can.. sometimes with bad results..

please DON"T flush the system through the compressor..

you will also need to know how much oil is left in the system.. and how much oil is in the compressor..

lack of oil.. the compressor will fail..  that will scatter debris all through the system...  

oh.... i am NOT trying to talk you out of it...

i am just trying to get across.. that there are things that need to be done..

much more than i can type in with my mere fingers...

do you have any access to the factory repair manuals..

in print..

online at alldatadiy   com    eautorepair   net   even the autozone    com site covers some of it..

there are some great articles on this at motor       com    and underhoodservice       com  

I must have picked the wrong hose in that diagram, since the hose with the leak is definitely between the compressor and the condenser.

Thanks for your advice. I may skip the flush since it may be over my head and I don't have a lot of money to spend on having it repaired by a professional. Hopefully a flush will not be needed.

By the way, here are my gauge readings from yesterday with outside temp of 79 degrees, 19% humidity.

cold engine OFF: low=45psi, high=45psi
hot engine OFF after running the system for about 20 minutes: low=65psi, high=65psi

The following readings are with AC and fan on high:
engine idle at operating temp: low=0psi, high=75-80
engine at 2,000rpm at operating temp: low=negative psi (at very bottom of scale on gauge), high=80psi  

i seem to recall that most systems need to have 5 to 40 pounds on the low side and 230 to 240 on the high side with 134A.. but i could be totally wrong..

i will later on tonight find you some info...

do you have a copy of the honda factory manual????

send me an email address in a message..  log in .. click my user name   then click send PM...

or just check your messages.. above and to the left of where you log out at..  

Thanks, sent you an email. I don't have a factory service manual, just a Haynes book, and it is a 2001 Honda Accord LX, 4cyl