Hello,

I haven't taken my car to the a/c shop yet on account I've been observing my car's a/c cooling performance.

Please let me re-state the problem that bought me here. Simply put lately my car seems to cool fine when moving but when at idle or stopped such as a light I notice a considerable drop in cooling efficiency. The air temperature coming from the vents is little better then ambient. When the car moves the a/c begins to cool again though not as strong as before. The best the a/c performs is in the morning.

This is somewhat similar to what I experienced before I replaced my leaking radiator and had to check the coolant regularly. Because of this I thought the problem may be with the cooling system even though the radiator, both cooling fans and thermostat (Honda) had been replaced.

I have checked the radiator before including today and found it with coolant, but today I checked the overflow tank and found it about 3/ 4 full. I filled it to the top and afterwards the a'c cooling much improved during driving and at idle. I didn't have a chance to check whether the overflow tank is leaking.

How is this overflow tank suppose to work?

 

This link has info. regarding the cooling system. Read also the part regarding the radiator cap, reservoir, etc.

Honda Cooling Systems - Honda Tuning Magazine

 

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, I'm not a mechanic. I believe my issue may be air in the cooling system. I fussed around with it but I got something wrong. I wondering if any one with experience with the cooling system or any advise can comment.

 

The link was to help explain how the overflow/reservoir worked.

 

After bleeding the cooling system and not seeing any improvements in my a/c cooling I finally took my car to an a/c specialty shop recommended by my mechanic. My mechanic doesn't work on a/c's. Keeping in mind my car has never overheated after the radiator was replaced always hoping it was just air in the system or a heater valve.

After the shop put on the gauges he said it was a little low on gas. He put some in but there was no difference. He came back telling me the dryer and the expansion valve were bad. He quoted me $285.00 complete for the job.

I had my ac system repaired 2 years ago including compressor, dryer and expansion valve. At that time I noticed my a/c didn't cool as well I would think, but I attributed to my radiator that began leaking not long after that. I don't know if that had anything to do with dryer and expansion valve going out so soon or just fate or a bad a/c shop.

I'll be taking the car in on Monday. Thanks for everyone's help.