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I have a 2005 Civic Hybrid with 130K miles. A/C worked fine 2 years ago. Last year didn't work. Dinky can-gauge said to add some freon so I did. It immediately leaked out somewhere down near the compressor. I don't know if it's a tube/connection, the compressor itself, if there's a relief valve, or something else.

Has anyone heard of this before and is there a common issue I should know about? If I need a new compressor, what is a good reliable known source?

If I need a new compressor, how do you collect the old refrigerant? I've heard of vacuum pumps, but don't know if that collects it. Don't know if a shop needs to collect it. I'm going to buy a real set of gauges as well. My truck A/C is shot so I'd like to learn this myself.

I know I will need to replace a couple other things while I have the system open. The cabin filters have already been done. I will be reading through this and looking for system diagrams to get a better handle on everything. http://www.autoacsystems.com/_faqs/d...ompressor.html

Thank you.

 
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first of all your going to need to add vaccum to the system and check to see if the AC system holds. if it doesn't, then you must have a Freon LEAK, once leak is fixed you may add freon and check the system, but to do all this u must have an AC machine to propely Recover and Charge the System. NEVER use those do it your self kits they sell at oreilly or autozone. your polluting the system with their chemicals and isn't really good for the AC system

 
Rep Power: 519

There is none left to 'collect'.

 
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you need to find the leak! is it the compressor or a hose ect!

at 130k, you might need a compressor Assembly/kit!

with a leak like that for a long period of time (neglected), its hard to say if that AC system will ever work again!

 
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Yep, figured that part out today. I'm shopping for decent gauges and vacuum pump right now.

Does the fast leak near the compressor sound like anything common you've seen?

 
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Yeah I'm expecting the worst. Wasn't sure if there was some sort of pressure relief valve that may be getting tripped for some reason that could be looked into.

Oh come on, with enough parts, anything will work. . My commute is 140 miles r/t...It WILL get fixed!

 
Rep Power: 519

Nothing routine, if that's what you were expecting.

Should be easy to find though.

 
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at this point you dont need gauges! you need to find the leak!

So just connect some Freon to the system and carefully look around without freezing your eyeballs!

after you fix the leak, you might want to change the Receiver-Drier (NOT Evaporator canister).

 
Rep Power: 519

You mean the Receiver-Drier.

 
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OK. I know the leak is somewhere down near the compressor. I'll have to get closer to it so I can figure out EXACTLY what it's coming out of down there.

 
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be careful! looking up at dripping freon is not cool!

 
Rep Power: 519

It could be..... *puts on sunglasses*..... super cool!

 
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Oh yeahhhhhh

I went to go put some freon in yesterday so I could find the leak; couldn't find the can I had with the hose ANYWHERE. I have 9 little cans that require a separate hose. I sold the two hoses I had at the yard sale. Figures.

I'll have to pick up a can today.

 
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1 year later. Time to give this another shot.