ducati900ss

My girlfriends A/C stopped blowing cold air on her 2000 civic value pckge (LX I think). Anyways thought it just needed to be refilled, took it to Pepboys (big mistake) and after 2nd visit said it needed new compressor.

My question is now that I know what needs to be replaced (I hope Pepboys was correct )is this something I should try myself?? I find it hard to believe a compressor going out on a 2000 car (43,000 miles), maybe fittings loose??
I've done tuneup already and light mechanical work on it.

Anyways can I purchase A/C compressor from 3rd party for cheaper than dealership?? Should I attempt this on my own considering r134 is hazardous?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

CXHatchback

I did mine, all you have to do is bolt it up then recharge. Beats $300 labor. It is a bitch to put on and take off though. And btw, the place I went for my a/c told me that hondas a/c all suck and they're the second best customer.

ducati900ss

THanks for the reply. WHere did you buy your a/c compressor? ?? Kragen auto parts?

Did you need any special tools for remove the fittings or anything ??
THanks

B18C5-EH2

Jesus Christ man, you're going to drop mad cash on a new A/C compressor on a Pep Boys diagnosis?



Do yourself a favor and get a Honda Specialist or (gasp!) a honda dealer to check it out first.

"A/C compressor is all messed up..." is way too easy to just blurt out.

they could be correct, but what if they're not and you replace a good Honda one with a ****-box aftermarket one and it still doesn't work because it wasn't even the compressor to begin with?

...And last time I checked only certain certified shops were allowed to discharge freon.

1fastVX

what about the warranty on the car?...bring it to honda

ducati900ss

Yeah warranty was the first thing I checked and it has expired. Its a leased car, so she didn't get extended.

I was going to take it too honda dealership first time, but $155 for reccharge ?? My experience with dealerships has been that they will rape you any chance they get. However at this point I agree with you guys and I should probably take it too dealership bend over and grab ankles.

krazy

take it to a certified ac specialist. if u have to change the compressor, then do it urself. it doesnt take too long. just 4 bolts that hold the compressor to the mount, and take off one mount to take off the belt. u can just slip it off once the car side mount is off. the only thing is, if powersteering is in the way, its a bitch to work around it. other than that u should be ok. oh yea, ur gonna have to take the compressor out from the bottom of the car.

krazy