Need an explanation on expansion valve and A/C operation (96 Accord)
Hi again, all! I need some advice understanding and perhaps fixing a bad A/C
system in my '96 Accord. The A/C has worked fairly well up until a few days ago. Starting LAST summer, we noticed a kind of weird intermittent noise coming from inside the car under the glove box when the A/C was on. Very hard describing noises but this sounded something like a sizzle. I don't want to sound 'leading', but it reminds me of the kind of noise you hear on the nozzle of a spray bottle for like brake parts cleaner. Not the noise you get while spraying, but the noise you hear after you stop spraying when the propellant kind of builds up on the nozzle as you spray and it then 'evaporates'. Anyhow, this noise starts several minutes after starting the A/C, lasts for 10 seconds then stops and comes back a few minutes later. If you shut the A/C off, the noise ALWAYS occurs (again, for about ten seconds) but only once after the A/C is shut off. If you turn the A/C back on while it makes this noise, it immediately stops, but will return after a few minutes. Now, I did have a Honda mechanic look at it briefly while carrying out a different repair and he stated it is the expansion valve. This was a couple of weeks ago and I wasn't in any hurry to have it fixed as the A/C seemed to work fine - it just made that noise. The only other unusual observation was that it very often blew water vapor through the vents, which I not only thought was normal, it's also a little cool (no pun intended). I now feel this visible exhaust seems so excessive, it is not normal as it does it even on dryer days. Today, I hopped in the car; it was sunny and hot. The A/C was very ineffective while driving in the city. After I got on the highway, the A/C seemed to blow cooler air and was sufficient to keep me cool but only on full blast. It had also turned overcast. The last time I checked, I did see water pooling under the car (I didn't check it today though) . I have had a clogged drain tube in the past which I did notice just by hearing the water sloshing around and I managed to unclog it myself. So I don't think that has anything to do with my problem now. So what I want to know is, (as I believe my mechanic's diagnosis) : WHAT IS AN EXPANSION VALVE? What does it do and can I fix it myself? I have fixed clutches and brakes on my cars before so its not like I'm useless with tools or anything. But, is this valve in line with the pressure, i.e. does the coolant has to be captured first with special equipment? I have done some major searching already in this and other N.G.s and haven't really seen a concrete answer to this question, only on how to diagnose if it is an expansion valve that is faulty. However, I have seen some 'fixes' that involve cleaning and removal or bending of sensors etc. and wondered if there was a inexpensive fix for this. Finally, is it likely that I have lost coolant through this faulty valve? Like I stated, this noise occurred all last summer and to date this summer but A/c seemed to function. Today it was noticeably inefficient. I did see a post that stated just because I have a bad valve and no cool air doesn't mean I have lost coolant. Just need to know what I am in for dollar wise. Thanks to all that took the time to read! P.S., Does anyone know where or if there is a coolant sight port on this car? |
Re: Need an explanation on expansion valve and A/C operation (96 Accord)
MajBach wrote:
> WHAT IS AN EXPANSION VALVE? What does it do and can I fix it myself? You might want to learn to use search engines for this kind of inquiry. http://www.familycar.com/Classroom/a...ANSION%20VALVE |
Re: Need an explanation on expansion valve and A/C operation (96 Accord)
MajBach wrote:
> WHAT IS AN EXPANSION VALVE? What does it do and can I fix it myself? You might want to learn to use search engines for this kind of inquiry. http://www.familycar.com/Classroom/a...ANSION%20VALVE |
Re: Need an explanation on expansion valve and A/C operation (96 Accord)
Thanks for that info. Yes, I can see how it could be called a hissing noise.
So, did you replace the valve or simply recharge the system? Let me know if you get a leak. "Adam Parker" <adamparker20@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:iv95iv0knirm5jvd669n6ba6q0l66dulfq@4ax.com... > I just had the same sort of problem w/my 96 Accord V6. Instead of a > spraying noise it was a hissing (could be the same sound, different > interpretations). Anyway, my friend who is a mechanic took a look at > it and found that I was down to a 1/4lb of freon (stupid car only > holds 1.5lbs total). So, I recharged it and he added a UV die to it > so when I take it in for an oil change in 2 weeks he can zip over it > with a UV light to be absolutely sure it was not a leak. Oh yah, I > did have him run a leak test, the system held over 200lbs of nitrogen > ... and whatever else they did, no leak (though I was sure there would > be) and all works well now that it has been recharged. BTW: W/1/3lb > of Freon..there was practically no cold are AT ALL. All said and done > $60US > > Adam |
Re: Need an explanation on expansion valve and A/C operation (96 Accord)
Thanks for that info. Yes, I can see how it could be called a hissing noise.
So, did you replace the valve or simply recharge the system? Let me know if you get a leak. "Adam Parker" <adamparker20@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:iv95iv0knirm5jvd669n6ba6q0l66dulfq@4ax.com... > I just had the same sort of problem w/my 96 Accord V6. Instead of a > spraying noise it was a hissing (could be the same sound, different > interpretations). Anyway, my friend who is a mechanic took a look at > it and found that I was down to a 1/4lb of freon (stupid car only > holds 1.5lbs total). So, I recharged it and he added a UV die to it > so when I take it in for an oil change in 2 weeks he can zip over it > with a UV light to be absolutely sure it was not a leak. Oh yah, I > did have him run a leak test, the system held over 200lbs of nitrogen > ... and whatever else they did, no leak (though I was sure there would > be) and all works well now that it has been recharged. BTW: W/1/3lb > of Freon..there was practically no cold are AT ALL. All said and done > $60US > > Adam |
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