Hi,

I was checking out my car this morning when I noticed on the passenger side there was a spray of oil covering the timing cover and all around that area including on the belts. I looked around and saw it was coming from the refrigerant line were it connects to the compressor. I've read dealing with the AC is best left for the pros? Is it safe to drive around with the ac off until I can have time to resolve this problem?

Thanks

 

If the leak is coming from there then yes it is safe to drive until repaired....I do have to ask, is the ps fluid level staying consistant. Yes there is an amount of oil in the refrig system but it doesn't look like that is the source....only the two pic's to go by.

Anyway, a shop can test the ac system for leaks and find the source. Might look at some stores for an ac dye kit, I've seen the prices dropping on these, and decide if it is something you might want to try yourself.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I've posted a few more pics. This includes a pic from the other side of the leaking hose line. The power steering tank is at its proper level, though one side is covered with a heavy coat of oil. You can see the before and after I wiped down the tank. The other side of the PS tank is clean.

Thanks

 

The third pic does look like the ac line could be leaking. Sorry, wasn't trying to second guess. Just seems like a lot of oil/dirt from a system that holds about 24oz of refrig and maybe 10~12oz of oil- and once low the ac will stop working.

Just wanted to be sure.

 

The last pic does suggest it might be a leaking compressor. I suggest cleaning the hose crimp carefully and all other areas and watching closely. I've found Simple Green will do a good job of releasing oil from surfaces.

You may want to pay someone to perform a pressurized leak test to be sure.

If this is an older Accord, it may be time to pull the evaporator, clean, and replace all the small orings on the pressure feedback connections and evaporator connections. Virtually all are leaking slightly after 10-15 yrs due to dissimilar metals corrosion (aluminum/brass) leading to distortion of the oring seals. Also your evaporator is very dirty after this much time w/o a cabin air filter. It will cool better w/ a clean evaporator.

good luck

 

Update:

Poorman212 – Your suspicion was correct. It is not the AC refrigerant line rather it is fluid from the power steering. I took the car to an auto AC specialist. When he saw the AC hose and the oil he says that it is not an AC problem. The color of the fluid on the hose was reddish. He tested the pressure and all was fine with the AC. The AC in the car works fine.

TexasHonda - The previous owner had replaced the AC compressor and evaporator coil before I purchased the car. The AC mechanic flashed his flight in the area and deep in the body I saw a hose of the power steering pump was wet. Under that area all was wet from fluid. There was even some fluid on the headlight holder. I did not notice any leaking during that time that the car was on with the AC mechanic.

The power steering tank is full of oil. In fact I may have it a little more then full. Maybe this is why I didn’t notice any drop. A rubber hose comes out the PS tank and runs under the tank the it attaches to a metal pipe and once again connects to a rubber hose. It is at this point where the two meet that it is covered in fluid. This connection is just below and in front of the AC hose that was covered in oil. Add the fan blowing and you can account for the oil everywhere. All this is fairly new. I would say this happened fairly recently.

Tomorrow I’m going to inspected the area better and clean everything with Simple Green.

 

Good post with good pictures men..

 

Good to hear you are closer to the finding the issue and also to know that if it is the ps, that will be a little lighter on the pocket book ($$$'s) than ac work.

If it is the ps, a word of advise. I personally suggest you only use Honda/Acura approved fluid. If someone else does the work, insist they use approved fluid. Again just my opinion-many will agree but some will not.

Good luck. Thanks for the update, and please let us know the final fix.

 

X2 about the Honda fluid. Anything that says "for all cars" is NOT for Honda. (except maybe topping up a couple ml) It's gotta say "For Honda/Acura" on the bottle. The real stuff from the dealer isn't stupid-expensive.