AC Valve and Bolt Replacement Problem

My 1990 Honda Civic Wagon is at Chris's Motorworks in Marietta, Ga. He replaced the exhaust system. The air conditioning quit so he's working on it as well. Chris works strictly on Hondas, and it is the first time he's worked on the Wagon or that I've had it to a shop. He says that the valve on the AC needs replacement. The part sent to him to replace the valve and bolt (if I understand him correctly - maybe he did not say "bolt") did not fit. He said the compressor looks new, so he does not want me to buy a new compressor if he can't get a part that will fit. He also said the AC had been given the freon upgrade.

He is keeping my Wagon until tomorrow morning because the parts supplier is sending a second replacement part that he hopes will fit, but he is uncertain. If it does not, he suggests that I search for a replacement part off another Civic Wagon at a junk yard or something.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might find a valve and bolt that will fit?

Thanks for your time! Julia

Comments

  • The "freon upgrade" is probably a 134a retrofit. As far as the valve and bolt... The only thing that comes to mind is a expansion valve but not sure about a bolt.
  • Thank you!
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Hi Julia, it's good to see you here again!

    Please contact me, I'll pm you my number. I probably will have what you need or know where to get it free or cheap. Marietta is the epicenter of the Wagon universe...

    My yard:
    750.jpg

    Maybe Chris said "belt"? Even if it is a bolt that you need, I have several of any/all bolts to be found on your car....no kidding.
    And the only valves that come to mind are the expansion valve that Freddy mentioned and a safety relief valve in the rear of the compressor (if it's a Matsushita compressor).
  • DRMORTYDRMORTY Council Member
    bam-bam wrote:
    My yard:
    750.jpg
    Bam is an awesome wagon connection... He just needs a little more storage room & a bigger workshop..
  • Friday, Aug. 5

    Chris's Motorworks of Marietta replaced the exhaust pipes and muffler, but not the catalytic converter. He said the converter is fine, and usually it lasts a long time on Hondas.

    It was a pressure fitting for the pressure release valve of the AC unit that he was trying to replace. The value is okay and there's no bolt.... I misunderstood. The parts supplier sent him a second pressure fitting identical to the first sent, which annoyed him. He "customized" the part and used it; cut away part of the metal so that it fit. The AC works. He tested it this afternoon driving in traffic. If it fails, he said that he will make good on it, but that he believes it will continue to work just fine.

    I have the original pressure fitting off the Sassy Wagon so that I can find another just in case.

    The total cost for exhaust and AC work $616.00. I believe it also included the parts cost for the timing belt change which I would not allow him to do - I postponed it until next month so that I can afford to pay for it.

    I am taking the Wagon to emissions testing on Monday. Fingers crossed.
  • Sweet!! Good luck! ;)
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I'm glad you got her going.
  • offtopic - one word... meuhhhh or is it moooohhh !!!!!

    :mrgreen:
  • ReaccionReaccion Senior Wagonist
    DRMORTY wrote:
    bam-bam wrote:
    My yard:
    750.jpg
    Bam is an awesome wagon connection... He just needs a little more storage room & a bigger workshop..

    Wow!! My dream yard!! Nice!!!!!
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