A/C Replacement
Joined: May 2011
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From: Great White North
Yeah I've seen overcharging many times. Too much refrigerant will cause the compressor to bind and lock up. A slight overcharge won't damage the compressor but it'll make the expansion valve whistle (just like low refrigerant), and can cause extra cold temps which sounds nice, but the evaporator will ice up.
The best I've seen was the compressor somehow held together and it blew up the rear evaporator for the rear A/C - full out "hot boxed" the Odyssey with refrigerant/smoke/steam. Quite the spectacle.
The best I've seen was the compressor somehow held together and it blew up the rear evaporator for the rear A/C - full out "hot boxed" the Odyssey with refrigerant/smoke/steam. Quite the spectacle.
Last edited by fernando.; Nov 30, 2020 at 07:18 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Houston
That is really interesting and super helpful.
I could hear the whistling sound from inside the cabin and in the engine bay as well.
I’m going to do what you said and have the refrigerant evacuated and pull the compressor to see what’s up. I’m assuming that when the shop evacuates the system they get the oil as well? I don’t want to add too much oil to the system.
I’m going to go ahead and order the compressor, dryer, oil and probably the TXV just in case.
thanks so much for all of the help!
I could hear the whistling sound from inside the cabin and in the engine bay as well.
I’m going to do what you said and have the refrigerant evacuated and pull the compressor to see what’s up. I’m assuming that when the shop evacuates the system they get the oil as well? I don’t want to add too much oil to the system.
I’m going to go ahead and order the compressor, dryer, oil and probably the TXV just in case.
thanks so much for all of the help!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,032
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The expansion valve removes pressure from the liquid AC refrigerant, having too much or most commonly too little refrigerant will cause the expansion valve to overwork and whistle. It's just an acoustic frequency as the liquid passes through the orfiice as the pressure equalizes, so less refrigerant will cause more resonance. In the same fashion that having too much refrigerant/overcharging will 100% grenade a compressor.
This is a tell-tale sign on 2016+ Civic's when they come in with leaking condensers, hop in the car and all you hear is whistling through the expansion valve when the A/C compressor first kicks in and starts moving the refrigerant.
EDIT: Being low on refrigerant doesn't necessarily make the compressor work harder, since the compressor doesn't have a target pressure, so the pressures will just drop in a linear fashion across the low side and high side, until the pressure is too low which will then trigger the pressure switch and cut power to the compressor entirely.
This is a tell-tale sign on 2016+ Civic's when they come in with leaking condensers, hop in the car and all you hear is whistling through the expansion valve when the A/C compressor first kicks in and starts moving the refrigerant.
EDIT: Being low on refrigerant doesn't necessarily make the compressor work harder, since the compressor doesn't have a target pressure, so the pressures will just drop in a linear fashion across the low side and high side, until the pressure is too low which will then trigger the pressure switch and cut power to the compressor entirely.
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Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Houston
fernando,
Any chance you could point me towards the correct compressor?
I've found a used 04 compressor on ebay but no idea on miles:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-09-HONDA...gAAOSwTmBfiGN7
Or there is this setup, which appears to be a remanufactured Keihin unit, but not sure:
https://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ss...171761&x=0&y=0
Not sure about buying a used OEM unit vs a rebuilt OEM unit?
Any chance you could point me towards the correct compressor?
I've found a used 04 compressor on ebay but no idea on miles:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-09-HONDA...gAAOSwTmBfiGN7
Or there is this setup, which appears to be a remanufactured Keihin unit, but not sure:
https://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ss...171761&x=0&y=0
Not sure about buying a used OEM unit vs a rebuilt OEM unit?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 115
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From: Houston
Thanks for the part number Chuck, that definitely helps to find the correct fitment. There are indeed a lot of options for new units from various Honda dealers at the $700 price point. I was hoping to find something either used or OEM reman that wouldn't be so expensive but wasn't sure if those would be a safe bet or not?
This site has reman units for $200 but lists 2 part numbers 38810-PCX-006 and 38810-PCX-016 and says its for 2000-2006, but I thought the part was universal across all years?https://techchoiceparts.com/inventory/100481
This site has reman units for $200 but lists 2 part numbers 38810-PCX-006 and 38810-PCX-016 and says its for 2000-2006, but I thought the part was universal across all years?https://techchoiceparts.com/inventory/100481
Last edited by trpltongue; Dec 2, 2020 at 12:57 PM.
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Chesterfield VA
Everything I see (e.g. Honda Parts Now, etc.) notes the -016 fits all years. Perhaps it's a replacement for the -006? I've had good luck with remanufactured parts on other cars (and boats) but never replaced an AC compressor nor major parts on my '06 S2000.
Your TechChoice link shows the -006 and -016 part numbers. $175 is a lot less expensive than $749. They recommend a new dryer.
-- Chuck
Your TechChoice link shows the -006 and -016 part numbers. $175 is a lot less expensive than $749. They recommend a new dryer.
-- Chuck
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,424
Likes: 162
From: Great White North
They are all interchangeable. 00-09.
016 is the superseded part number from 006.
You don't need a new dryer, 30-45min on vacuum is more than enough to pull any moisture in the dryer.
My S2000 sat open to atmosphere for 5 years with no schrader valve in the A/C lines and the dryer was still fine. I can guarantee it being open for a few hours while swapping compressors won't harm anything.
016 is the superseded part number from 006.
You don't need a new dryer, 30-45min on vacuum is more than enough to pull any moisture in the dryer.
My S2000 sat open to atmosphere for 5 years with no schrader valve in the A/C lines and the dryer was still fine. I can guarantee it being open for a few hours while swapping compressors won't harm anything.
Last edited by fernando.; Dec 2, 2020 at 03:33 PM.
