I have a 2001 Accord Coupe.
The air con needed a recharge last year, and they could find no leaks.
This year, it needs another recharge.
Has anyone else had this problem ?

 

Have them add ultraviolet dye to this years charge. If the leak is minor and on the vapor side, there is a chance there wouldn't be any oil, so it would be hard to find. With the dye, you just shine a black-light around and find it. There IS a leak. Freon doesn't just dissappear.

 

Thanks for the reply.
What is the most likely source of the leak, and do you think it's worth going to the expense of fixing it, or paying for a re-gas every year ??

 

Actually, shops are not supposed to recharge if there is a leak. They're supposed to fix first, and then recharge. You can guess how well that law is enforced.

Check condensor face and all connections for signs of oil/dirt accumulation. Look around the compressor clutch rotation plane for signs of oil being slung off the rotating clutch assy. Dirt sticks to oil and ring is usually easy to spot.

If nothing is apparent from a close, carefulinspection, it's likely the leak is an evaporator leak. An electronic leak detector can usually confirm evaporator leaking by "sniffing" at the drain tube. If dye is added, it will show up in the condensate draining from tube w/ a black light inspection.

Evaporator box must be pulled and evaporator replaced, or replace all expansion valve fitting orings,depending on source of leak. I've done a couple of evaporator repairs, and it was always the expansion valve orings that caused the leaks. Fortunately on Hondas, pulling the evaporator box is not a terrible job, but a shop manual is essential.

good luck

 

Thanks.