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A/C is blowing hot. I bought everything ready to test and charge it and realized I'd purchased the wrong kit. It requires r1234yf refrigerant now?

So I'm here to find out if it is even possible for one to recharge themselves. Or, am I forced to go to the shop? If so, that's really annoying. And if so, what's the estimate charge for such maintenance? I assume a leak is very possible (car has 57k) and will make it more expensive.

***Also of note*** : I've discovered that Service Bulletin 19-091 for 2016 Honda Civics covers A/C condenser leaks due to a manufacturing problem and extends replacement up to 10 years. I'm not sure how to check the VIN status for eligibility, but mine would meet the qualifications if the issue were a leaking condenser.

(Frankly, I'm surprised there isn't any info on this forum about A/c recharging. There is one similar thread from 2019 with 0 responses)

 
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Call the dealer and see if it applies to you

 
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Call the service department at a dealership. They would be able to look it up.

Likely because a vast majority of the 10th gens are still under warranty. Even if they are out of warranty most wouldn't be having any issues yet.

If you try to recharge it may void your warranty for the leaking condenser so get ahold of the dealership first.

 
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Thanks to both of you.

Based on your responses, I gather that replacing the refrigerant yourself is not possible. But, more to the point, that the issue is moot since the fact that there is an A/C issue at all points to a condenser leak or much bigger problem. I've read many forums since posting my question and I'm convinced it's the condenser leak referenced in the warranty extension.

 
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So again, contact the dealer

 
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Yes, thank you. I understand. I was simply bringing my original inquiries around full circle.

I guess I'll update this thread about what happens.

 
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Official update:

It's not the condenser but a leak from the compressor. Dealership repair estimate is $2200.00 and I'm thoroughly pissed off.

I spoke with Firestone, with whom I already have a credit card, and they are not even capable of replacing this refrigerant.

My regular mechanic is on holiday, but I intend to wait until he returns next week to make a decision. Hopefully he can do this repair, but I'm not confident.

The engine block of my 2006 Civic cracked only a year ago with less than 100k on the vehicle. Dead and unsellable. I'm done buying Hondas and I'll be writing the company. This is unreal.

 
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The more I research this issue, the more it appears that the compressor may also be problematic in these models to the extent that they should be included in Service BTN 19-091. If the refrigerant is low, the compressor should shut off. If it doesn't, it could cause it to rupture (is what I've read). Hence, the leaking.

 
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The A/C system has a pressure sensor that will stop the compressor if it's too low, nothing new there. I have a 2016 Touring as well with about 65k miles on it, haven't had any issues.

I'm sorry to hear you've had issues with your Civics. It definitely looks like you drew the short end of the straw with both of yours. Some advice, next time you purchase a vehicle (Honda or not) avoid buying the first model year of a new generation/model. 2006 and 2016 were both the first year of the 8th and 10th gen Civics. First year or two of any generation/vehicle will almost always have more issues than later years.

 
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While that could be true of first generation models, it doesn't negate that fact that Honda has a responsibility. They are shafting buyers even after thousands of incidents point to a manufacturing failure. "First generation issues" sounds like an excuse from the Dealer.

 
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I agree it's not a good excuse but it's not the dealer saying that, that's just my experience. I work in a manufacturing plant (not Honda) and I can tell you the quality of our vehicles greatly improves in the first year of a model. Does that mean the first year of vehicles built were garbage? Not necessarily, but certainly not as good as later vehicles.

Honda can only offer a warranty for so long before they start losing money, that's the same for every manufacturer. 3 years is pretty typical although some companies offer longer. They do extend warranties for certain issues when they deem it necessary; liked cracked blocks on 8th gens, leaking condensers on 10th gens, or oil dilution also on 10th gens.

I'm not trying to downplay your issues. I'd be pissed if I started having issues with my '16 Civic as well, especially if it's something I can't fix myself. I just wanted to share a few points.

If you wanted to try to save some money on the repair you may be able to replace the compressor yourself and then take it to a certified shop to get recharged. Labor is always expensive.

 
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Understood. And I honestly meant no offense to you. I get the point you were getting at. But to re-emphasize my own : When Honda is knowledgeable, beyond doubt, but still cannot risk the profit margin, their brand will suffer the most. I am focusing on the customer service aspect at the moment.

I will write them a letter. If they can't make it right, then I will buy a Subaru or Toyota then next time I buy a vehicle. That's simply based on the available market evidence and personal experience - which is why I bought 1 of the 3 again this time. But since I've owned both Toyota and Subaru vehicles as well, I suppose they will need to decide whether they are interested in keeping a repeat customer or releasing that profit to another reputable company. Based on age of the vehicles as baseline, I had ZERO serious issues with both Toyota and Subaru but high impact issues with both Civics I've owned. I understand that no car is perfect and there are lemons out there. But we are talking about A/C Air Conditioning. Honda wasn't reinventing the wheel here. They simply have bad parts in the build. The numbers tell the story.

Thank you for noting the idea of replacing it myself. I hadn't considered that amidst my frustration - largely due to the fact that I'm moving to the often cold Boston area soon from Oklahoma and that I live in an apartment, which makes repairs extremely difficult even while I feel capable of doing most of the labor.

I suppose I will update this post if/when I receive a response from Honda, while I sweat my *** off for the remainder of Summer. I honestly dislike this situation overall because I like the vehicle a whole hell of a lot. It's fun as hell to drive and I think it's got a great exterior and interior design. Just bummed.

 
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See the dealer. A/C condensers are faulty, and has a 10yr warranty extension.
in Some cases, the High Side A/C line is leaking, and could be covered depending on mileage

 
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I had it diagnosed by Honda. They claim it is a compressor leak and NOT the condenser. So naturally it wasn't covered by any Honda warranty, extended or not. So I paid $150 to be told that the repair estimate is $2200. I'm not getting it repaired and I thought I already covered this in this thread, but I guess not.

Now, what I'm really wondering at this point is whether what they said is true. They did not show me evidence of the problem and I didn't see any evidence as I don't know what I'm looking for under the hood at the moment. I'm thinking that in order for them to properly diagnose this problem, they had to put refrigerant in the system in order to find the leak. Is this not correct? I wondered about this the other day because I tested the A/C and no cold air came out - and I thought that it should run cold for a little while even if there is a leak because they put new refrigerant in it. (However, the price was $150 for the diagnosis, so perhaps I am incorrect about this). In any case, the bastards should show me some evidence of the problem if I'm going to pay for them to find it.

I intend to go back to the dealer and ask for evidence of the Compressor leak since I paid for them to find it.

Edit: I guess I did in fact mention that it was the compressor in an earlier message

 
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If the compressor is leaking, it's probably leaking out of the shaft seal. If it's leaking the freon out, its also leaking refrigerant oil out too.
What sort of evidence you might see depends on how much oil has leaked.
If it only leaked a tiny bit of oil, it might not be seen without removing the clutch to view the areas nearest the shaft seal.
If it's leaked a lot of oil you might see that the outer edge of the clutch plate is oily (when viewed from above with a flashlight), the pulley might have a film of oil on it, the oil may have been slung by the clutch and pulley in a narrow plane to surrounding surfaces within that plane as the clutch and pulley spin about a billion revolutions lol. .
Areas that are wet with that film of oil may have a visible layer of dirt and fuzz collected wherever the oil is.

 
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Brilliant! Thats an amazing response. Thank you. I'll take a look and check with the Dealer and see what they have to say.