Hi... my first question on Ask Me...

My 1995 Honda (4 door, DX, 5-speed) Civic's Air Conditioning compressor blew out it's safety valve. It made a loud pop, and then a hiss and green fluid, which looks like antifreeze but I assume is R134, spewed all over front of engine area. I am very sure it is the safety valve by looking at the compressor: there seems to be something missing on the side of the compressor, on the inboard side, near the front. I checked a diagram at a Honda parts website and found the safety valve in the same spot. It is a Sanden compressor.

My question is: does this indicate a problem somewhere else in the system? Can I just replace the valve for $34, have the system refilled, and be good to go?

Thank you.

Jerry

I would be very surprised if you got off that easily. I suspect you'll need to replace the compressor, receiver/drier, and TXV, after cleaning the system. After adding the correct amount of refrigerant oil, the system will need to be vacuumed for 40 minutes and filled with refrigerant. Very few compressors are any good after 100,000 miles.

Did you recently add refrigerant? The green fluid is likely refrigerant oil with dye. Have you had the system serviced previously, where refrigerant and refrigerant oil with dye were added?

I expect your repair effort will parallel my recent experience:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-9.html#post1722090

Here are the specs on your Civic:

Refrigerant oil capacity: 4.00 ounces
Refrigerant (R-134a) capacity: 1.21 lbs.
Operating pressures:
. Low Side Gauge: 22 to 36 psi
. High Side Gauge: 220 to 295 psi

Frequently, compressors blow when refrigerant is added without using a manifold gauge set. Head pressure goes through the roof and the valve pops.

Thanks for your replies!

Jiminy that's a hellatious job. You can bet I won't be doing that.

It is the original compressor, as it says "honda" on the tag. I think we have 190K on the car now. I just reviewed my records of work done on our Honda's A/C system over the years.

May 2004, 151,000 miles: A/C TEST AND RECHARGE W/ 2 LBS. 134A. Indicated lots of moisture in system and potential Receiver/dryer problem.
June 2005, 167,000 miles: oil & dye test, and recharge (did not hold). Replaced R/D, condenser, o-rings, oiled it, 2#'s freon.

Any additional thoughts?

Jerry

In May 2004, and again in June 2005, they grossly overfilled the system with refrigerant. They added 2 lbs. instead of maximum 1.21 lbs. The system should have been evacuated and vacuumed, at that time, to remove all moisture. Moisture and refrigerant is corrosive. I could go on. I bet the work was not done by Honda.

With that repair history and mileage, I think my estimate of what's needed is dead on. You more than got your money's worth from the compressor.

The price tag for what's needed may be around $1,400. Obviously, unless you did the work yourself, it's not worth fixing it properly.

The service station works on Hondas and Toyotas only, so they likely did the job right. I am guessing they filled it correctly and rounded up the charge.

Like you said, we had a nice run with the AC on this car. Now with Fall coming we will tough out the humidity and see what we want to do for next summer.

Thanks for your help GreasyMonkey! A great first experience on AskMe!

Jerry

It appears, to me, that your compressor drowned in freon and refrigerant oil.

TxGreaseMonkey, I didn't get a chance to "rate this answer" and now I have lost the links to do that. Perhaps if you post again the links to rate will appear again.

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