Acura RSX air conditioner issue

[sisq0kidd]

Hey guys, I have a 2004 Acura RSX that has just recently started giving me AC problems.

I know the AC in RSXs suck in general, but about 2 weeks ago it's been doing the following:

1) taking forever and a day to blow cold air
2) only blow hot air
3) makes an intermittent hissing sound behind the dash when the AC is on

The hissing sound has me a little worried, but I kept justifying it as my recent stereo replacement (old cd player stopped reading cds) letting sounds into the car since it doesn't sit perfectly flush to the panel.

Any ideas?

[LTC8K6]

Vacuum leak with the blend door?

[Christobevii3]

Its low on freon and when the pressure sensor reads it it kicks it off and you get the pressure rolling back.

[exdeath]

Originally Posted by LTC8K6

Vacuum leak with the blend door?

My first thought as well. Any engine trouble like sputtering or idling funny?

[5150MyU]

What Christobevii3 said.

[alkalinetaupehat]

What's a blend door and what is its function? This sounds potentially applicable to my car...

[5150MyU]

Blend door:
Older vehicles=vacuum or mechanical actuation-vacuum/cable/rod
Newer vehicles=mechanical or servo(electrical)activation-cable/rod/body control module

The blend door(s) control direction of air(Def,Floor,Dash,etc)and climate control(Left,Right)
Depends on the car you have but that hiss you hear after shutting off your car after the A/C has been running is normal(the system is equalizing pressure).
It does not mean you have a leak
Stick a thermometer in the dash vent,close the windows(not in 100deg wheather)and crank the A/C on recirculate-should be down in the mid 30'sF-if not you're probably low on freon or your A/C system just sux.

[sisq0kidd]

It's not idling funny, car seems to function normally still.

I did a self-diagnostic on the AC system (http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1535582-c_work_03_acura_rsx) and everything checked out fine too. I'm inclined to believe Christobevii3 is right, I may just be low on freon.

Worth it to to recharge myself or should I take it to a place?

[5150MyU]

Do it yourself, just wear gloves and safety glasses.
High pressure valve is near left fender.
Low is about center back towards firewall.
Capacity from where I got the information says:17.6-19.4oz(500-550g).
Why that is so broad of a range I don't know-check decal under hood.
I think a 12oz. can will get you satisfactory results.
134a with dye in it will help find the leak, some kits even come with a black light pen light.

[sisq0kidd]

Originally Posted by 5150MyU

Do it yourself, just wear gloves and safety glasses.
High pressure valve is near left fender.
Low is about center back towards firewall.
Capacity from where I got the information says:17.6-19.4oz(500-550g).
Why that is so broad of a range I don't know-check decal under hood.
I think a 12oz. can will get you satisfactory results.
134a with dye in it will help find the leak, some kits even come with a black light pen light.

Thank you VERY much!

[sisq0kidd]

Sorry to bump this again, but I'm still learning about the AC system in my car.

I'm assuming the AC system is a closed loop, so if the 134a inside of it is low or completely gone, that would most likely mean I have a leak? I've been reading tons of articles and forums about how to refill it myself, but most people say it's not worth the hassle of recharging it yourself since I probably don't have the right tools to vacuum the system and recharge it correctly.

Any thoughts?

[5150MyU]

It's not about recharging correctly it's about getting it to work on the cheap and possibly finding where the leak is.
Do what I said above and go from there.
If you find the leak, repair it and then have it done the right way.Or just add more when it starts short cycling again.

[sisq0kidd]

Originally Posted by 5150MyU

It's not about recharging correctly it's about getting it to work on the cheap and possibly finding where the leak is.
Do what I said above and go from there.
If you find the leak, repair it and then have it done the right way.Or just add more when it starts short cycling again.

Alright, that sounds good to me then. I'll just pick up a kit that comes with dye. Thanks again.

[vandal1200]

There appears to be a major issue with the RSX/TSX A/C systems. Mine just recently went out (04 RSX-s, 120,000). Read more info here: http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679576

[ThatsABigOne]

Way to bring an old post from the dead.