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I asked my mechanic about it last year(shop works only on Honda and Acura) and he said to bring it in if it started making more noise than normal. If I take it in while it still works, what can they check?
By the way, the mechanic did say that he keeps compressor parts stocked for the CRV's since he sees he replaces about 3 a year in his shop. He said the compressor is quite pricey and said it could be upwards of 1,200.00 with labor. Not sure if that included any other parts.
So has anyone figured out if it is the compressor that is bad or the location or the design(configuration)?
I called the 800 # to be told that there were no reports of problems w/ compressors and that there are no mentions in the Honda literature about such..
(Tell me more- I love it when you lie to me again, baby!)
This is, BTW, the first major problem w/ the auto.
Not really out of line for a compressor to fail after so many miles, but taking down the whole system is unacceptable. By reading the posts here I have a game plan and a good idea about what to expect from the repair process.
Other than the un-tempered anti-sway bars in the rear (one side failed at 8k, the other at 11k) and killing a battery every 36 months, the car has been trouble-free.
http://www.honda-lawsuit.com/
"•Use refrigerant oil (KEIHIN SP-10) for HFC-134a KEIHIN spiral type compressor only."
Spectra Premium claims to make a high-quality replacment compressor (SPI0610078) for the 2002-04 models that sells for around $400.
This is the description:
"SPECTRA PREMIUM A/C COMPRESSOR, NEW -- With Clutch, Meets Or Exceeds OEM Specifications, 100% Factory Run Tested To Ensure Optimum Product Performance, Endurance Tested Using Endurance Simulator, Manufactured Under QS-9000, ISO 9002 Certified Quality Systems, Carefully Packaged For Product Quality And Installation, With Spectra's Limited 1-Year Warranty"
Ebay has allot of compressors selling in the low $200's but they are likely refabs.
Thanks.
BTW, did your A/C just stop working or did your compressor make a loud noise before the A/C went out?
Good luck with the Honda corporate. Let us know the outcome.
Just got the call, NOT covered as you are out of warranty, and should be happy that the regional Honda manager gave me some releif. They are not aware that this is a problem, and will make no guarantees that this won't happen again in another 25,000.
So it looks like a RAV or a Subaru later this year. Mad as hell to say the least.
If I do not replace, then if it does explode, I may be looking at 3,000 to 4,000 based on what others have posted.
Is "FLUE" another name for the expansion valve?
I'm driving my 02 with 85K miles very gingerly, cycling it off and on every 20 seconds or so.
Here is some information I was provided to see if anything can be done. Maybe if these organizations get enough complaints something will be done about this problem.
Share your experiences with the following organizations, which may be able to provide you with information and/or offer assistance:
1. Center for Auto Safety, 1825 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 330, Washington,
DC 20009-5708. The CAS compiles information on defective automobiles,
ranging from transmissions problems to paint problems. If you wish, you
may send them a letter sharing your experiences with them. Should they
have any information on your particular automobile, they will forward it to
you, along with helpful information and advice within 10 days from date of
receipt of their letter. They ask, but do not require, a $.60 SASE to help
keep their costs down. Or, you can visit their website at
http://www.autosafety.org.
2. Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. at 4200 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, VA 22203; 1-703-276-0100. The Council of Better Business
Bureaus, the umbrella organization for the BBBs, also provides programs and
publications for consumers, and helps to settle disputes with automobile
manufacturers through the BBB Auto Line program.
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20590, 1-888-327-4236 or 1-202-366-0123. The NHTSA assures
compliance by domestic and foreign motor vehicle and equipment
manufacturers with motor vehicle safety standards, automobile recalls, and
airline problems. You may wish to visit their Website at
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov, where you will be able to obtain information on
air bags, child safety seats, and automobile crash test results. You can
also search through an extensive list of automobile and automobile
equipment recall notices, and report any problems that you have encountered
with your automobile.
4. Your State Attorney General's Office, which helps to resolve individual
consumer complaints, conducts informational and educational programs, and
enforces consumer protection and fraud laws. You can find their telephone
number in the blue section of your telephone book.
5. Send an email with your complaint to Consumer Reports to customerservice@customerrelations.consumer.org.
The system will cycle it for you, automatically. You may be putting more wear and tear on the A/C componenents by manually cycling it on and off.
by the way my Honda is 2004 CRV 64000 MILES
THANKS
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f1df7b5/0
In part it reads......
"my RAV4 with 67,000 miles just broke down on the PA Turnpike while driving home from vacation. Got towed to the closest Toyota dealer and they say the Transfer Case is broken...to the tune of $4,400.
i am the original owner and the only one who has ever touched this car is the dealer i purchased it from. it's had all recommended maintainance & service. the dealer is shrugging their shoulders.
i called Toyota customer service and after researching the cars service history and reviewing the estimate they have offered to pay half of the parts cost, which is $1300. which leaves me with over $3,000 to pay to fix a car i planned to run forever...
i am very very disappointed in the car and Toyota's unwillingness to stand behind it and help a customer who's clearly experiencing a very unusual catastrophic mechanical failure.
i was a loyal customer, but after this exerience i am sad to say no more toyotas for me "
Every car. And I mean every car owner from any manufacture will have issues and one or more will say, " Never again will I buy another, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, etc, etc, etc.
Yes, there is an issue with the air compressor but making a blanked statement that Never Again will they buy a Honda or any car for that matter is over looking the fact that other manufacture have issues as well, some are serious and that includes Toyota's.
Just go to JDPower.com and check on which manufacture has the better product and you will find Honda is listed near the top over Toyoto's.
Toyota parts are not cheaper.
In reality, no parts are cheap when buying form the dealer. It is like paying MSRP for the car, and I am sure most people negotiate, rather than just pay the sticker.
You can buy OEM Honda parts for 1/3 from a number of on-line Honda dealers. One even advertizes on this site. Many local dealers will price match or beat on-line prices to earn one's business.
Read about Toyota engines sludging up, too. I guess it is horse and carriage for you from now on. Clydesdales or Mules?
I have a 2002 CRV that has just blew up it's third! compressor in as many years...
Got off the phone with Lindsey at Honda Corporate office to get the ball rolling, she was NOT very helpful except to tell me it will be two days before I get a reply form the case worker, and NOT to expect any help! Wow! Nice customer service...
Another local owner had just paid for replacement of entire A/C system, got a check for $700 from Honda for parts but still cost some $3000 plus labor for system to be replaced, and for how long till it blows up again?
Any other owners out there, lets hear how you dealt with this obvious defective part issue!!
Thanks all,
TK
2002-2004 Honda CR-V - Spectra A/C Compressor
What is holding me back from replacing the necessary parts is the reports on this site and topix.com that so many that are being replaced are failing again.
Look forward to your input.
I got mine done in Greenbrae California at the Mill Valley Radiator Shop. The people working there are very fair, very honest and very capable.
The dryer is not part of the condensor. It is a tube that is filled with dessicant. It's primary function is to remove all moisture from the system. Moisture is not good for the system and it is important to have as much of it as possible removed. The dryer is considered to be a throw away item and every time the freon is drained from the system, the dryer should be replaced.
I wish I knew more about AC systems.
So on the replacement is the condensor an 'improved' version of the old one?
So if I do replace, I need to get the compressor, condensor and dryer done at a minimum.
Due to recent economic conditions in my household, I have to keep it for 2 more years at least.
email me at salon11111@cebridge.net
At this point I will be contacting Honda directly, however since I bought the vehicle from Ray Price in East Stroudsburg, PA they should really be taking care of this and they should be fighting with Honda to get their money reimbursed. I also am really afraid to keep this vehicle now, as how do I know this will not do the same thing again, as I have read in several post. I really thought Honda's were good vehicles thus why we have continued to drive them. We still have a 1997 Honda Civic we purchased new and it now has nearly 300,000 miles on it. By the way the AC on it didn't go out until around 200,000 miles at which time we choose not to repair it. Nor did I expect Honda to take care of it. The CR-V however is completely different considering it is only 3 years old this Sept. and only has 72,000.
Very Frustrated and feeling like I am being abused by a dealership who should be standing behind their product by doing the right thing - getting Honda to own up to the issue they have with these AC systems.
On the other hand, you did get almost five years of use out of the system so it's not completely unreasonable for them to balk at paying the full cost of replacement. Nevertheless, you may want to try a different approach such as having them pay for the parts and splitting the cost of labor with you rather than a flat 50-50 split of the total cost.
Also, you may want to consider writing up some comments in our Dealer Ratings and Reviews.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Tidester, a lot of folks probably do not mind much paying for a new compressor and the normal parts that go along with getting a new compressor, but paying for all of the other parts and not to mention the labor when the system implodes. Also, some folks are probably questioning whether to replace give the horror stories about it happening twice and even three times.
I am still pondering switching out my system before it happens since I plan to keep the vehicle another 2 years or so. Mine is an 03 with 90,000 miles. I went to the Honda dealer to get an estimate and he gave me two: One is with the system still working and two with the system not working. The second estimate was a question mark since he stated that the price range could be 2-3 thousand depending on the damage. By the way I did not have to pay for the estimate since mine is still working.
Show me where you are getting those prices for Toyota OEM parts?
Part listed below are for 2005 Honda CR-V EX, Japan made.
Primary O2 sensor $187.51 Honda OEM part
Secondary O2 seconds $187.51 Honda OEM part
Compressor and Harness $375.53 Honda OEM part.Compressor and Harness $375.53 Honda OEM part
In the words of Cuba Gooding Jr.: "Show me the money!"
As to condenser and dryer being together... That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. It is on par with Blondes planning on landing on the sun at night. :surprise: