Rep Power: 0

Hi all,

I have a 97 LX (170k) that for the bulk of its life was in an area where AC wasn't needed. Well, now it's in Dallas, TX, and the AC is really struggling. The AC system is mechanically in OK shape:

• no leaks (checked multiple times with dye, no refrigerant loss after a year, recent evac and recharge anyway for good measure)
• evaporator is new, oem (makes annoying squeal, though)
• compressor, original, engages and disengages properly, but is starting to make noise - mechanic says it's got a year left on it max
• water switch, original, appears to work (closes off flow to heater core)
• condenser, original, "looks" OK
• condenser fan, original, is fine, runs
• mechanic says nothing is obviously wrong, it's "just old"

Here's the problem. In sub-85-degree weather, especially on the freeway, it cools "OK": 50 degree vent temp. In hot weather, though, especially Dallas-hot (105), it barely works at all. I'm lucky if the vent temp (even on recirc) drops to 75 after half an hour of driving.

I've unfortunately been told that "this is how it is" with an older civic: the AC is just plain weak. Well, I don't believe it. Forum members, especially those in hot climates, how well does your 6th gen civic's AC work in extremely-hot weather?

I'm asking because I'm planning to replace my noisy compressor (and drier) next year due to its impending failure, but I wouldn't mind doing so sooner if it had a good chance of making the system cool much better. But, if this is as good as it gets, I might as well wait for the thing to fail.

Thanks a lot for your input. This is a great car and I plan on driving it in to the ground.

 
Rep Power: 193

Haha welcome to Dallas, our engines just don't have enough power to run a big ac compressor....the ac works alright on the highway when you have lots of air flowing through the condenser but other than that the ac is pretty hopeless

 
Rep Power: 812

no system will really work well when its hot out. not only is the outside air that is supposed to be "cooling" the condenser already hot, but the entire car is hot. that means the cool air needs to cool down the entire dash and vent passages before even making it to your face. then it needs to slowly cool the interior. this could take hours because the temp in the car could be 150+ and the cool air is maybe 45-50 at best. if you park in the shade or garage, the a/c has a better chance to start working faster. but the whole idea of the system is to have cool enough air outside. if you run ac when it is 50-60 outside, the air from the vent will feel ice cold. some cars may have colder a/c which is technically possible if the right components are insulated and there is a larger condenser and blower. the reality is r134a is a much worse refrigerant compared to old r12, which was so efficient it could cool the air well even on really hot days and with a smaller condenser.

 
Rep Power: 244

85 outside temp - 50 vent temp = 35 degree difference
105 outside temp - 75 vent temp = 30 degree difference

AC's are only suppose to drop the air temp coming in 20-30 degrees. Yours is doing well for it being so hot. I thought the same thing with my 7th gen. It was getting in the 100's here in Delaware and it was just keeping me cool. Cars are not well insulated and r134 isn't the best either. Do you use the recirculate feature? It helps cause it only has to cool the difference of the interior temp (when first getting in the car it's hotter in then out) but once it cools a little then switch it to recirculate.

 
Rep Power: 244

This is what you need

 
Rep Power: 200

^^^ lol how loud is that generator and all that weight from the house ac
, yeah when your running idle the compressor would run at low speed, and when you start moving the engine will speed up the compressor, i once taking out my blower fan under the passenger glove box and notice there was lots of leaves and sand build up, all that yield a restricted full air when im using a/c and such, so i clean it out and i got more air blowing out from the vents, to help the a/c run at its fullest you can wrap the ac lines with insulator on top of the radiator and take your blower motor out and clean it if you suspect air is not fully coming out from the vents

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the input. I won't throw any money or time at this "problem" for now!

I'll check on my blower too. I think my year (97) doesn't have a cabin filter but has the place to hold one (?)

 
Rep Power: 200

i dont know if theres a place to hold a cabin air filter anything that falls into the outside air vents gets suck in directly to your blower fan