Brand new to forum. Possibly discussed previously, but haven't found it. 2012 FIT. Bought brand new. First year only used around town. 2nd year started making long distance trips. After around 70 or 80 highway miles, notice the AC quit cooling. Turned off AC button for 5mins, then back on. Cooled well for a few miles, but then slipped back into "ambient" air. Pulled over and notice 1/2 inch aluminum tubing frosted over. A 5 inch, "S" tube comes out of the compressor, then connects to a 3/4 inch rubber hose, for approx 16 inches. Then continues on top of engine with 1/2 inch aluminum tube, and goes into firewall. The 5 inch "S" tube at the compressor, and 1/2 inch aluminum tube into firewall both frost over, and AC quits cooling. Turning "OFF" AC button for a while, then back on works for a few miles, but soon quits cooling again. Has this been discussed before??? Any ideas for a newcomer??? HELP!!!!!! Tks.

 

WOW! No Replies. I must really suck! Tried my "Mom & POP" mechanic, but he couldn't get me in until Thursday.............of 2016! He confirmed that I SUCK!. Against my better judgement, I went to my local Honda Dealer. Nalley Honda of Union City Georgia. Help me out here, somebody please tell me how "STUPID" this was. The could not simply recharge the freon, with dye to check for leaks. The "Service Rep" told me I had a bad "DRYER", and "EXPANSION VALVE". Quickly I checked the internet for these parts, and discovered the average price is around 50 bucks for each part. I then asked the service rep why it would be 900.00 plus change to exact the work, and he said.........wait for it...............wait for it........."IT'S VERY LABOR INTESIVE WORK. THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD "AND" THE FRONT BUMPER TO REPLACE THESE PARTS". Really??? Do they really??? Can anybody help me out here??? Do they really have to remove the dash board AND bumper to replace these parts, or am I the victim of a Service Rep running up my bill? Should I demand the old parts when the work is done???? Please help! Seems I'm being ripped off, but I have no recourse.

 

I don't know how your dealer shop determined you need a dryer and expansion valve. I assume they must have used a gauge set to check the operation of the ac. A gauge set should tell them if the pressures and refrigerant charge are within limits .

If indeed the dryer and expansion valves need replacing, I believe the dash will need to be removed to access the expansion valve. I don't know exactly where the dryer is, but it's normally near the compressor, so it could require the bumper be removed to replaced

Since you are going to have to pay for the work I would find a good automotive ac repair shop. Surely you can find one somewhere in the Atlanta area.

For what it's worth, based on your two posts, your attitude is all wrong if you expect any help. Sure you can check the price of parts, but parts price does not include labor. Your dealer was right about what labor it takes to replace the parts mentioned.


My 2 cents,


Clifton

 

And now..............the REST of the Story:
"Yes", I did need my car right away, so "No", I wasn't at liberty to shop around for a second opinion or price. I've always tried to stay away from "dealer" shops, cuz I was raised of the opinion, that the service rep gets a "kick-back" for running up a bill, over and above what you originally went into the shop for. I have no proof of this, and likely I'm "out-of-line" to even suggest this happens. I leave tomorrow for a week long trip of driving my Dad thru New Orleans, Mississippi, and Tennessee, for his 83rd birthday. I was already at Nalley Dealership, for what I "thought" would be a simple freon job, maybe 200 bucks or so. The SVC REP came into the waiting room and explained to me that the Expansion Valve would need to be replaced, AND that the "Dryer" (on the invoice referred to as a "Receiver"), had collapsed on itself, and would need to be replaced. It was very labor intensive (700.00 labor), they would need to keep it overnight waiting on one of the parts, and they would send me home in a "Nalley Paid for" rental. Once again, I was in no position to try to shop around for a second opinion, so I agreed. In hind-site, this was probably the correct decision. I went back the next day and paid 932.97 to pick up the car. It's just really sad that a "brand new car", only 3 years old, could have such AC problems already, when I use the air very little. The air blows very cold around town, but then it always did! The real test will be when Dad & I set off for New Orleans, and see if the lines freeze up again at around 80 miles down the road. I WILL write after the trip, and let everyone know what happened. In the mean time, I thank everyone for your assistance, your interest, your kindness, and your criticisms. You will hear from me in a week. R