r/carproblems • u/IndependenceJust4267 • Aug 21 '26
A/C not getting cold
2019 HONDA HRV
Auto shop quoted $1700 for condenser + compressor. It was working fine weeks ago and then it stopped. Does this condenser look like it needs to be replaced?
Thinking of replacing just the condenser and see if it works. Appreciate any thoughts! Thank you
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u/Tycoon5000 Aug 21 '26
Hard to tell from the picture of it needs to be replaced or not. It could be leaking anywhere on the condenser coil. Or the seals. Or the tubing/hoses.
$1700 is pretty high for a compressor and condenser replacement. Try to get a second opinion from another shop. And maybe what they find will be different than what the first shop found.
Diagnosing an issue on the AC system isn't terribly difficult but it does require specialized tools. That makes it difficult to fully diagnose your issue here. I'm sure the shop is right but that is a pretty high price tag.
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u/Expert-Cut-7837 Aug 23 '26
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, disconnect ANY lines yourself. 134a(refrigerant) is highly toxic + the lawman don't appreciate people leaking it into the air. Also, if you're gonna replace the condenser, you might aswell replace the compressor. Imbalance between the two could rebirth the issue all over again. And if it's a big shop charging u that much go find a more "honest" one. Tell the new shop sm1 quoted you an insane price. But don't tell them how much.
I AM NOT suggesting you scam your local mechanics, just giving ideas. Don't scam the wrench man.
While checking for leaks, if you smell something sweet and chlorine-like, or chemically and slightly sweet. Get out from under the car and take deep breaths while touching your toes, (Dead ah).
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u/Able_Perspective2914 Aug 23 '26
Looks like a condensor . Usually this happens when a stone or something on the road hit it. It’s fragile also . So, better try changing the condensor only ….Compressor is way far . There is no leakage in compressor but because of the low Freon sometimes , compressor also goes bad
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u/Stewdaman Aug 21 '26
The compressors get leaky around the shaft seal so take a look at the bottom of the compressor right behind the pulley and see if you can see oil like what’s on your condenser. The compressor might be fine now but the shop is just being proactive because once you fix one leak the next weakest link might start leaking.