tronic

I'm at my wits end trying to find the leak in my 2000 Civic Si's AC system.
It hasn't worked since I bought the car a few months ago.

I've replaced the compressor, put a couple cans of UV dye in it on different occasions, and can't see ANY leaks anywhere from above or below the car in the engine compartment.
Somebody suggested the evaporator (under the glove box in the cabin). I don't see any UV leak stuff back there either, but..
How likely is it that the evaporator failed in some way causing it to leak?

Any other suggestions?
I don't know if taking it to a shop would help; if I can't find the leak I don't know that they could either.

thanks

D16SiHatch

try using a refrigerant leak detector. if it's getting into the cabin, it will detect it. they can find leaks in the range of .25 ounces per year or better.

hondamark35

there is more to fixing and servicing A/C that just finding leaks. a knowledgeable A/C and/or import specialist should be able to inspect your system with a thermometer and a set of gages and give you an idea of what the problem is. they can also vacuum the system down and see if it will hold the vacuum for the necessary amount of time. this is a better indicator of the presence of leaks and their size.

nonetheless, it would be well worth the diagnostic fee to find your real problem so you don't spend anymore time spinning your wheels so to speak...

tronic

good points, thanks.

would any place that offers "AC service" be equal, or should I take it to one of the couple local Honda-specialist shops that might cost a little more (but have more knowledge of Civic-specific problem areas)

hondamark35

as with most cases you want to find someone with a good reputation who you can trust. that said, anyone who advertises A/C service should be able to do the work. a shop or service tech with import or Honda specific experience may be more familiar with the common failures and quick fixes for your car. that may not save you any money, but it may reduce the time-in-shop and the chance of careless mistakes.

take from that what you like.

D16SiHatch

i'm aware of that. op seemed pretty confident though that the problem was purely a leak. op: if you don't feel comfortable or confident in finding the leak yourself then like hondamark said, definitely take it to a place that deals with these problems day in day out.

hondamark35

oh, i see what happened... that was intended for the OP. when i started typing i didn't see that you had posted.

..and to the OP, i would much rather find you're more knowledgeable than i first assume than to find i've wasted my words and given help/advise that you didn't fully grasp.

thanks for being civil

tronic

Resolution:

My wife is a teacher at a local community college with an automotive tech program. I took my car in for their AC class and they found:
Condenser was punctured, evaporator was saturated and leaking, and filled with debris, expansion valve was seized to the evaporator.
So, they replaced those things with 'educational discount' parts from Autozone (still came to almost $300), labor was free because they're students, and now my AC is working reasonably well. The expansion valve whistles a lot, but I'll live with that for now.
Man, AC is a pain.

gga_bliss

A/C is a pain, but once it's working you feel good about it. I just installed one on my EG and I had to piece it together. After 2 months, it's finally working and I spent about $430 including parts and labor and it's guaranteed for 1 year.