I am a service advisor at an acura dealer and have noticed alot of tsx and rsx a/c compressor grenading and contaminating complete a/c system. which cost about $4000 to replace. if you have this issue and are out of the 4/50 warranty and no extended warranty have your dealer contact the factory for goodwill assistance on your behalf before agreeing to pay for it. If you have already paid to have this done save your receipt because acura may be extending the warranty on these compressors or have a recall.

 

Thank GOD!

 

Thank you for the heads up!

 

SERVICEADVISOR:

2 questions:

1) How many TSXs have you personally seen with this problem?

2) What were the model years of those TSXs?

Thanks for any input.

 

Just curious, but what has lead you to believe they will do a recall or extend the warranty? Has corporate given you specific info?

 

I Have Personally Seen 7 Tsx's Range From 04'-06' And 3 Rsx's 04' All 3
That Factory Has Always Offered Some Sort Of Goodwill Assistance. But Technically You Have To Ask For It Unless You Have A Good Service Advisor.

 

They Are Aware Thier Is A Problem And Working On Finding Out The Cause Of It Before They Issue A Recall Much Like The Power Steering Hose Issue Currently Being Recalled On The 04'-07'tl's I See The Same Trend In The Way The Factory Is Delaing With This Issue But No Officail Word Yet Just Alot Of "we Are Working On It" From My Factory Rep.

 

that is sweeet...thanks for the heads up!

 

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll go to you if that happens. Do you know if the 07-08's should be affected as well?

 

Much obliged, keep us posted.

 

Good on you for posting this. Thank you. I have a 2004 with almost 46k miles on it and am getting nervous that my A/C will grenade in the near future. I'll keep this in mind.

 

It's possible that the above mentioned vehicles had their ACs on all the time. So for those who turns it off in the winter, we can expect a longer longevity. However, I do believe that Acura is doing a good job addressing this issue.

 

Keep in mind in our Acura manual it recommends using the A/C at least 10mins per week during cooler/winter weather.

 

ServiceAdvisor,

how ya doing man? hey...i saw your post today about the A/C compressor failing...where are you located? im in the san fernando valley area. how can you help me out before my A/C goes out? please let me know. thanks bro.

-Neo661

 

there is nothing you can do unless the failure happens if it and when it does happen go ahead and contact me via this website. I am close to san fernando valley and can get you a loaner car to drive if you give me 3-4 days notice. (disclaimer) unless you car is salvaged /branded title.

 

the freon acts like a lubricant for the a/c components so it is recommended to turn it on for
a few minutes periodically.

 

I haven't seen any 07' or 08' yet with this issue but I believe they have the same set up and parts. again they are not sure if it was a bad run of compessors or a design flaw that causes this but most of the cars have been 2-5years old and over 40k miles.

 

Good looking out SERVICEADVISOR. I wish you were up here in No Cal, I'll bring my car to your dealership.

 

Nice. Is there any way I can go to you to get my A/C checked out? possible this weekend? I get a intermittent squeaking sound coming from the A/C vents when I am idling...is that a symptom of something?

 

YES

 

Acurazine Won't Let Me Send You A Private Message So Send Me One With Your Info.

 

Well sort of ... the freon is not the lubricant, the oil is, and there's about 4 oz in the system along with ~ 2 pounds of R134a. Any leaks and the freon and oil disappear, and the system self destructs when the oil level is too low.

I've been watching this thread for 2 years and my opinion is that OEM (Nippondenso?) has a random quality control problem with the compressor.

 

Would you say have the A/C system checked regularly, and change out the freon & oil too? If so, how often?

 

i tried. it wont let me send anything to you either...how do we do this?

 

Since this is a sealed system, about all you can do is check high and low side pressures occasionally - maybe every 20k miles after the vehicle hits 50k miles. That way you can detect a leaking system before it becomes a problem. If the system needs charging you should find and repair the leak and look for any oil seepage too. A wear point is the seal at the compressor drive shaft, so if you see any oil being slung in the engine compartment it's time for repair. The important part is to make sure the system doesn't lose too much of that 4 oz. of oil.

 

I occasionally get a wooping sound from my A/C, is this a cause for concern?

 

I believe you need a minimum of 50 posts in order to use Acurazine private messaging.

 

why would someone pay 4k at the dealer? i've seen rebuilt compressors for the tsx for under $500, swap them in your self and recharge it...it's not rocket science. i had a similar problem with a subaru i used to own. no a/c. couple grand blah blah blah. i found a dried out rubber o-ring that was leaking. got a new one at autozone for under $1.00, and picked up a recharge kit for like $20. it worked for the next two years at 37 degress according to my thermometer before i sold the car and got the tsx...

 

I believe SERVICEADVISOR is referring to $4,000.00 for the entire A/C system, considering the compressor "grenaded".

 

Not everyone is mechanically inclined. I myself would not dare touch the A/C system.

 

The compressor is not exactly in an easily serviceable location either. Honda is notorious for this. I think at a minimum you'd have to drop the subframe to get at it.

 

Now since the TSX is the Euro Accord, how come none of the Acurazine members in Europe and Japan have had this a/c problem?? No one from there has complained or had this problem.

 

I've only really seen a handful of people from Europe/Australia post here. And who knows, maybe they have a different parts supplier.

My question is why it seems to be only affecting 2004 models. They had to have changed something for 2005. And I don't think it's a mileage thing, because people started having A/C failures way back. Newer models would have been having problems by now. For example, this thread was started in 2006.

 

$4000 for complete a/c system, lines , hoses, condensor, compressor etc. required if contaminated with debri from blown compressor $2800 in parts $1200 labor. That's what I charge Acura if done under warranty. i would be impressed If you could replace the whole thing yourself and recharge the complete system. Cost on parts alone is $1680. believe me I don't think you guys should have to pay or do anything it's not your fault.

 

Local SoCal member did it for $733.15.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43622

 

Interesting...maybe I'll bring my car in to Acura after all. I spoke with the service manager at the dealership that I bought it from who said he could try to get a goodwill repair done, but I'm at about 120,000 miles which he said is usually too high for any goodwill. I took that info, along with the complication of getting my car there and being without it for some time, and decided not to pursue any repair through Acura.

If there is a strong trend towards a recall I will certainly reconsider so they can add my car to the list of busts.

 

The OP in the above thread did not replace a lot of the parts SERVICEADVISOR is referring to like:

Condenser: $377
Discharge Hose: $118
A/C Hose: $184
Evaporator: $393

and some others.

 

There is a Acura dealer that charges less for parts.

80110-SEA-013 CONDENSER TSX $317.98
80315-SEA-013 HOSE, DISCHARGE TSX $94.62
80310-SEA-G01 HOSE ASSY., AIR CONDITIONER TSX $147.78
80211-SEA-G41 EVAPORATOR TSX $314.06

If OP for DIY were to also replace with these, then a bit over $1,600 + some other misc parts.

 

THAT'S great info but there are some parts missing from the list on that thread, most important a/c condensor, but still great advise if i may add, it is very important to use acura parts and please please save your reciept so that if it does become recalled or warranty is extended (ie radio display circuit board) you can get your money back!!!!!