AC compressor question on a 98 Civic LX
#1
AC compressor question on a 98 Civic LX
Hey, long time no post. I currently share a 99 Civic with my wife, and I've done a decent amount of stuff on it, like change the timing belt, brakes, etc. So I need a second car for myself for school and figured, "why not buy another Honda Civic since I am semi comfortable with it?" Well, a classmate of mine is selling her 98 Civic LX for about $500 under Blue Book, and I'm definitely interested. Problem is, she says that a mechanic diagnosed the AC compressor pump as being shot. As a Houston, TX resident, I need my AC! So I'm curious what kind of cost and labor I'm looking at to repair this thing myself. I know nothing about AC systems but I've looked at a couple diagrams... is this potentially a huge mess? I'm pretty poor and fear getting burned. Is it almost as deep as replacing a timing belt? I've read about other parts such as dryers and clutches and some of those parts really add up in cost... I want to do an evaluation of the car and offer her a fair price, but I don't know the first step evaluating the extent of the damage, or if it's even something I can do on my own...
Thanks for anyone who might provide some food for thought!
Thanks for anyone who might provide some food for thought!
Last edited by simons81; 05-30-2013 at 09:03 AM.
#2
Worst case you'll have to replace the entire system, which is about $1500 buying new parts, much less if you can find a parts car.
Are all the parts still there? Can you turn the compressor clutch plate (next to the pulley) by hand?
Are all the parts still there? Can you turn the compressor clutch plate (next to the pulley) by hand?
#3
Hey mk378, thanks for always replying on here. You're the man. I'm not sure if I can turn it by hand or not. I'm meeting up in a week to inspect the car myself. It bluebooks around $2500 but she's willing to sell for $2000 which I guess may or may not be fair depending on the extent of the damage. When I meet with her, I'll try to turn clutch plate by hand. If I can turn it, is that a good or bad thing? Also, for what it's worth, the car only has 126k miles which is really low for that age ... perhaps that might imply that the extent of repair is more on the minimal side?
Last edited by simons81; 05-30-2013 at 05:14 PM.
#7
Thanks mk378. So if I may ask, are AC systems typically not repaired by a layperson such as myself? Is it recommended that they be repaired by a professional technician? As a side topic, does it seem odd that the entire automatic transmission was replaced at only 126k miles? I feel like that might indicate a history of someone driving aggressively with this car.
#8
I wouldn't buy an automatic Civic, period. Their auto transmissions just aren't very good.
A/C work is an advanced topic for the DIY mechanic, but once you learn and understand the principles involved, there is nothing voodoo about it. You will need to invest a few hundred dollars in some specific tools but they'll almost pay for themselves with the first use.
A/C work is an advanced topic for the DIY mechanic, but once you learn and understand the principles involved, there is nothing voodoo about it. You will need to invest a few hundred dollars in some specific tools but they'll almost pay for themselves with the first use.
Last edited by mk378; 06-04-2013 at 07:10 AM.
#9
I wouldn't buy an automatic Civic, period. Their auto transmissions just aren't very good.
A/C work is an advanced topic for the DIY mechanic, but once you learn and understand the principles involved, there is nothing voodoo about it. You will need to invest a few hundred dollars in some specific tools but they'll almost pay for themselves with the first use.
A/C work is an advanced topic for the DIY mechanic, but once you learn and understand the principles involved, there is nothing voodoo about it. You will need to invest a few hundred dollars in some specific tools but they'll almost pay for themselves with the first use.