Rep Power: 0

I just bought a 2007 Civic Hybrid with 30,000 miles. The air conditioning works at interstate speeds, but it does not cool at idle (like at a stop light). The cooling fans are working, and the clutch on the compressor is engaging. The faster the car goes, the better the air conditioning works. In town at speeds below 40mph, there really isn't an cool air at all.

Any suggestions on why it does not give cool air at idle?

Thank you in advance.

 
Rep Power: 224

Check:
-Refrigerant charge levels (requires manifold and gauges)
-Cabin air filter (possibly restricting air flow)
-Condenser (possibly filled with debri causing poor performance)

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks.

What are the correct high and low pressures for one of these cars?

I get good air flow, but it's hot at idle instead of cool. I can try removing the cabin filter to test that, but I don't think a dirty filter would cause cool air to be warm.

The condenser appears to be clear from a visual inspection from above with the bumper/grille in place. I guess I'd have to get under the car to see if I could vacuum it clear from the outside. I don't think I could use compressed air to clear it from the back side due to the stack up of the radiator and the fans.

 
Rep Power: 222

Most likely needs a top up

 
Rep Power: 224

Pressures depend on ambient temperature. Assuming the compressor is actually working and ambient temp is around 80F, low should be about 40 psi and high around 180 psi.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you.

 
Rep Power: 0

Is it possible that any of this has to do with this car being a hybrid? I've never had a hybrid (or a Honda) before so I'm not sure where the older technology meets the newer technology.

This car does not have the auto stop feature turned on so the engine does stay running at stop lights.

 
Rep Power: 0

I checked the pressures today with the rented gauges from the parts store. It has roughly 19 on the low side and 125 on the high side. The car was blowing cool, but not cold air. The fans were both on, and the compressor was engaged. I tested with the cabin filter removed just to cover that base as well.

I believe that the car is low on freon, but is otherwise sound mechanically in the system. Yes, it must have a leak. But until I get a charge of freon with dye into the system I'm not able to locate it.

I went back to rent a vacuum pump, because it would not draw in any freon. My thinking is that I need to vacuum the system down, then add the charge indicated on the hood sticker. I am also under the assumption that vacuuming down the system will remove the oil from the system. None of my local parts stores have the correct air conditioning oil for a hybrid car in stock. The oil that Oreilley's recommended, and Amazon recommends is .

Am I correct that I need add the oil before the freon to prevent damaging the $2,500 compressor in this hybrid? Do I have the correct oil? Am I even on the correct track?

 
Rep Power: 222

Honestly I would just have a shop top up the freon

 
Rep Power: 0

The more I thought about it yesterday, the more this seems like the right answer.