Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

wpaxt on Sun April 17, 2011 11:44 AM

Year: 19993
Make: Honda
Model: Civic
Engine Size: 1.5
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Country of Origin: Japan

I have a couple of questions with regard to my A/C compressor on my 1993 Civic DX:
1. I just had the compressor replaced with a used unit. The original compressor worked fine but had a small freon leak around one of the 4 bolts on the back of the unit. Can this be repaired or is the compressor toast?
2. With that being said, my mechanic put in the new compressor, which has no leaks, but unfortunately there is still freon leaking from somewhere. He is going to do anothe dye test (how he ID'd the leak in the original compressor) but I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to where to look for leaks in these older Civics.

Really appreciate any help/advice that anyone can offer.

Bill in Los Angeles

TRB on Sun April 17, 2011 6:54 PM

You will need a electronic leak detector or use some dye. Can also use a product like big blu for larger leaks.

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ice-n-tropics on Mon April 18, 2011 3:17 PM

Bill,
The Civic scroll compressor has a copper washer seal between the rear bolt and the aluminum compressor case. This copper washer is oiled before tightening the bolt so that the clamping force is maximized before the bolt reaches it's torque limit. If the surfaces were not properly oiled before torquing the rear bolts, leaks will result. This same principal also applies to many piston compressors which don't use copper washers. The bolt threads should also be lightly oiled.
Since the compressor is now worthless due to the leak, you might as well try to seal the bolt leak by tightening the bolt about 10 to 15 degrees clockwise (1/8 turn less than it takes to reach the elastic limit-LOL).
Cordially,
hotrodac

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Isentropic Efficiency=Ratio of Theoretical Compression Energy/Actual Energy.
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wpaxt on Mon April 18, 2011 3:29 PM

Thanks for the replies. Interesting to learn how these devices work/are assembled.