Sister has a 2008 Si and lives far far away so I can't troubleshoot for her.
The A/C is working, but it's not blowing as cold as it should be. Instead of blowing around 30 degrees, it's blowing closer to 80 degrees - but it is blowing and it is cooler than ambient air.
Her mechanic wants a couple grand to install some 'kit' he isn't sure will fix the problem. From what my sister is telling me, the kit might include a compressor.
(If the A/C is blowing cool, then I find it hard to believe this could be a compressor issue.)
I'm asking her to check the onboard filter (just to see if this mechanic was checking the basics) and it was clearly loaded up with nasty and needed to be changed.
After changing the filter, it helped a little, but not a full resolve to the problem.
So, she's lost faith in the mechanic and is going to get a second opinion.

Are there any common issues with the A/C system on these cars?

 

From what I understand about AC in general is that 80% of the time it's a leak. You gotta recover and weigh the refrigerant if any left to see if it's the right amount. If not, pressurize the system and look for leaks. Once leak is repaired, charge by weight.

Unless the mechanic has at least started by doing that, look for another. I can't believe they would charge so much and not guarantee the work. Sound like they don't know what they doing.

Never use stop leak.

 

$2000 is a complete and total rip off, ESPECIALLY if they don't even know if what they are doing is even going to to fix it. I mean, this mechanic can NOT be serious.

Tell her to run away as fast as she can and try looking on yelp to find good reviews for a mechanic in her area. Also, it is likely the issue is just a leak. Recover the system, Find leak. Fix leak. Replace $20 dollar receiver. Vacuum system. Recharge.

 

That's what I'm saying!
Told her to get a second opinion, but from an A/C service shop and not just another mechanic.

She paid $200 for this mechanic check the refrigerant level and top it off.
It a got a little better, but did not fix it. I know labor is a lot, but a lot of places do this for free just to get you in there.

Just found how there is a built in diagnostics test that can be done.
Sent her the PDF for that... maybe it will throw a code.

 

Did you figure this out?

 

$5 says it's the compressor clutch not engaging

There has to be a honda dealer near her right?

 

good call!

 

Clutch engaged - cool air would blow, but not long enough.

Turned out the filter did the trick... sort of.
After the filter, she had to take the car in for the airbag recall and asked the tech about the A/C.
Tech asked for some history of the car and she explained how changing the filter seemed to have helped quite a bit.
This was a big help to the tech - in the filter area there is some electrical that came loose.
From the manual, it looks like the recirculation door is in that area and probably the culprit.

Makes sense - recirc air is always much colder AC

 

Symptom:

Car blows cold air for 15-30 minutes and then changes over to hot air. Vent air may feel slightly cooler than outside due to fan movement.
Cold air will return after car has cooled off for quite some time.

First check fuses and relays.

If they're good......

• Jack front, passenger side up and place jackstands in proper / safe locations
• Remove front plastic, inner wheel well liner and gently fold back to expose compressor and clutch
• Remove compressor clutch cover/"End Plate" (14mm socket), (Fan belt will easily come off as well.)
• File the end plate/cover hub down, taking the thickness of a postcard off. Can use a belt sander as well, but be careful. Use a pencil to mark the circumference of the hub so you know when to stop and keep the hub end straight and level. Don't remove too much material
• Clean any rust/debris off the clutch mating surfaces
• Reassemble and hopefully your 1/2 hour was well spent

I've fixed 2 2006 4 door Civics this way. Many Honda and Acura models experience this particular failure.

 

It's the coil bro, I just had this problem. Get a new compressor and swap it out, problem solved.