Hey everyone,

I’m having some issues with the AC in my 2011 Honda Civic 1.8, and I could really use some advice.

1. AC Temperature Issue: My AC never seems to cool below 60°F at idle and 50°F while driving, no matter the outside temperature (I'm in Arizona). For comparison, I have a 2006 Civic that cools down to 40°F without any problems. I recharged the system myself—pulled a vacuum to check for leaks and then added exactly 400g of refrigerant by weight—but it still won’t cool below 50°F.
   
2. Compressor Failure: I decided to just live with it, but about a month later, the AC stopped blowing cold air altogether. After some diagnosis, it turned out the compressor was shot. I replaced the compressor, recharged the system again, and now it's working, but the temperature still won’t drop below 50°F.
   
3. Concern: I’m worried there might be another underlying issue that caused the compressor to fail in the first place. Could the condenser be the culprit? Is there a way to check if something else is wrong? I don’t want the system to fail again. I’m also wondering if the problem keeping the AC from cooling below 50°F is the same issue that caused the compressor to go out.
   

I’d really appreciate any advice or insights you guys have.

Thanks in advance!

 

What are your gauges telling you?

 

With 2000 RPM. I have 25 Psi on low side and 250 on high side. Outside temperature is 96 F.

Low side is too low right? Or am I mistaken...

 

That is pretty low. Might consider an expansion valve replacement.

Can't remember if these cars had the coaxial refrigerant lines near the firewall? They did a heat exchange between high side and low side for better efficiency and can skew the pressures a little.

 

Hi again. So I just changed the expansion valve but nothing changed ......

 

What refrigerant are you using?

 

R134a.

 

Actual r134a? Not a "compatible" or "green" r134a? Like a real r134a from dupont or four seasons or some other reputable brand?

That compatible stuff and off brand stuff is often propane and does not perform very well.