I recently took a 2002 Honda Accord into the Honda dealer to get serviced. They ended up doing the Timing Belt Package (which included the Timing and Drive Belts) and went ahead and replaced the Water Pump.
About 2 weeks after getting my car back I returned it to the dealer because I had noticed it was driving much more loudly than it previously had (a constant whirring sound could be heard from the engine). The dealership service department looked over my vehicle and determined it was caused by the service as the belts were not calibrated correctly (they were put on too tight). They properly calibrated the belts and corrected the problem.

Now 6 weeks later, I have taken my car back to the service department as I've noticed that the Air Conditioning unit is not blowing as cold as it did previously.
The delearship service department called this morning and this was what they said:Because of the sub-par work done on my previous service (and the subsequent problems) I'm a little concerned. Moreover, I get my car serviced regularly to avoid unnecessary surprises such as this, which leads me to be even more concerned with issues that occur after I have work done on my vehicle. I'm hoping someone will be able to lend me their expertise and tell me if they feel this issue could have been caused by the previous service (Something introduced into the lines when the Water Pump was replaced, or a seal starting to leak due to the over-tightened belts, etc.)?

I've also done some research and read;This makes me question the previous work even more since this issue occurred within 8 weeks (around 1000 miles at most, probably less) of the previous work, and due to the fact that they were right around the AC components while executing said work.

Any thoughts and/or help?
Could this be a direct result of the previous work, or just bad timing?
Thanks in advance!

 

The AC compressor still engages and you hear both radiator fans turn on while the AC is running? If it still gets cold, just not as cold as it use to be, I would try filling your AC system with R134 freon. A $20 investment and tons of youtube videos that will instruct you on the proper way to fill it.

I don't know too much about the AC system as far as pressure readings and all but I've refilled 4 cars with freon and it has remedied the issue.
Hope that helps.

 

Sounds like the compressor needs replaced. But, you need to replace more than just the compressor. You need to replace the drier/filter...as it is most likely full of compressor material. Additionally, i would replace the condenser. It too probably is full of conpressor material. None of these parts are really hard to repalce, for a mechanic. Just make sure you/they add the correct PAG. Then vacuum, check for leaks...and recharge.

 

I got confirmation from the dealer service department that it was the drive belts that were installed too tight. After researching I found that this can cause multiple components to go out that the drive belts run (namely it can wear out the bearings).

I therefore asked the dealer to replace the a/c compressor at cost, since they may have initiated the problem (and at very least contributed).

They wouldn't do it at cost, but I got them to knock 36% off the total price for replacing the compressor.
I pick up my vehicle today, and I'll inquire if they checked and/or replaced the drier/filter and if they looked at the condenser, and what kind of shape it was in. As well as make sure they ran diagnostics to ensure there were no leaks and inquire about the PAG (though, with the previous service problems, I'm thinking about dropping it off at another shop tomorrow morning for a full a/c inspection, and just eating that cost ... better safe than sorry!)

Thank you.

 

I just put belts on my 02 Accord and have noticed that the air is not as cold.
Did you have a squeeling upon start up? sometimes mine will do that and now I think that I may have it too tight...
Do you know how your mechanic "calibrated the belts"????

 

No, no squealing. When the belts were too tight, there was just an audible whirring sound that was very noticeable. From all the research I've done, a squealing could indicate the belts are not tight enough and are therefore slipping. Some information I read did say that that kind of symptom (from a loose belt) is more prevalent when the engine is cold (again, that's just what I read while researching, I'd confirm everything).
I'm not sure how they calibrated it. I do know that the '02 Accord does not have an automatic tensioner, so you will need to manually set it. Also from my research most people recommended setting the tightness by checking the tension and not relying on a feel from a finger press.