How to Replace AC Condenser 2005-2012 Honda Civic

[@jasonfoster9118]

Thank you. I'm about to change the condenser in my 2012 SI and this looks pretty easy and now I know what to do about the oil for the compressor. Awesome.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Glad you found it helpful

[@TStheDeplorable]

I was hoping to see the purge and recharge, because the comments under another video on these Civics indicated that pouring the PAG oil into the condenser resulted a lot of difficulty purging the system down all the way. Did you have that experience when you did this one?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

No such difficulty on my end, but I had a shop fill up the AC system with freon...I did not do it myself.

[@kwfx007]

Looks like i know what I'm doing this weekend

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

😂it is what it is

[@victorfigueroa2316]

Excellent video! Soon I will only be replacing the condenser on my 2007 Civic. So, I will need to add 50mm of pag oil to replenish the oil removed from the system?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Yes, if not, you will be running the system dry which is not good for the life of your compressor. Hope everything goes well!

[@ichbinsgott]

good video. I went to my local car shop to let them investigate a leakage, what they did was to refill the coolant, bill me €120 and call it a day. 10 Days later, the whole coolant was gone again and they looked for the leak, found it in the condenser and billed me €80 again and said the replacement work will cost about €700. So I said fuck em, never going to get a cent from me again, will do it myself.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@ichbinsgott That's the spirit, why pay 5 times more for a job that you can do yourself!

[@markread7333]

Hi. Good video, but you didn’t mention refilling the refrigerant. I’m assuming that since you vacuumed it out, you’ll need to put it back, right?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Correct, you can take it to a shop and they will fill and pressurize the system with freon.

[@TheManBehindTheSlaughter6669]

@@TheMileHighMechanic do you need a specialized tool to vacuum the refrigerant out? I'm in the midst of replacing the coolant flange on my radiator for my 2008 honda civic ex and I noticed that the condenser rack was flaking off into the pan of the vehicle so I would like to replace it at the same time.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@TheManBehindTheSlaughter6669 yes, it would be best to have it vacuumed out by a shop.

[@daverepole9283]

What kind of oil is it? Thank you for a great video..

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

PAG 46 oil

[@daverepole9283]

@@TheMileHighMechanic thanks you

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@daverepole9283 absolutely!

[@fierywraith1]

Dude, just watched and this is very informative! Thing is, I watched another video first. And the other gent was good, but he did it from the inside out... much longer! In other words, he removed the hoses, radiator, battery .. requring removal of radiator fluid, etc., and then put the new condenser back in place without removing the bumper. His approach was 30ish mins of video. I'm reallllly liking this method better. What kind of fluid goes in these? Should I just replace O rings since I have it apart -- wouldn't that be a good thought? Just wondering on that. Also, I already know that all my freon is gone because shop said so. Does this mean that I do not need any evacuation? I am thinking so. Thanks much! ps.... what about refilling myself? Is it that hard?? Just wondering. Merry Christmas man! Blessings for your work -- and thank you!

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

If I remember correctly the oil that goes in the condenser is PAG 46 oil. You also should definitely replace the o-rings to prevent any future leaks (make sure to lube them up with the PAG 46 oil before you put everything together to ensure a good seal). If you remove the high or low pressure port covers (they are light blue), you can stick a screwdriver in and depress the valve inside. If there is pressure in the system then there is freon in the system, and it will need to be vacuumed out. If there is no pressure then you are good to start removing the lines. I took mine to a shop the fill it with freon because I don't really trust any of the DIY stuff over the good ole industrial stuff that the shops have. Thanks for the feedback!

[@fierywraith1]

@@TheMileHighMechanic Roger that! Yes -- you are not the first to share that thought about avoiding DIY refrigerant. Sooo, confirmation heeded! Thanks again!

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@fierywraith1 Glad I could help!

[@kennyc587]

Not to besrmch the man but doing it that way just to avoid messing with the bumper is silly. Also if the radiator is in good working order, I don't even look at it funny.

[@dand7056]

Some say no need to add pag oil unless you change the compressor. Do you have to add oil?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Yes, you absolutely need to fill the condenser with oil. The pag oil works to lubricate the components of the ac system, and if you did not replace the lost oil from the condenser, you would be running the compressor and other components dry. Dry ac components are not happy ones.

[@RH-no8oi]

@@TheMileHighMechanic where can I find the specifications on how much oil to add to my condenser after replacing it?

[@RH-no8oi]

@@TheMileHighMechanic I'm working on a Chrysler 300 2012

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@RH-no8oi my instructions came with the condenser it's self. If yours doesn't have any I'd say at least 50ml based on size.

[@n7sithis336]

Thanks for the vid. Bought a 2011 SI last year and the AC/heater causes one hell of a shake, finally decided to investigate and somehow the previous owner managed to hit something underneath the car, bending the radiaotor support and the AC condenser, I'm assuming the restricted flow in the bent condenser is my shaking issue. Now time to take the bumper off and make sure the radiator support isn't so bent I can't replace the condenser lol. What kind of "oil" is that you put in the condenser?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

It is Pag oil, they have different weights, but the stuff I added was Pag 46

[@TStheDeplorable]

How often is step one of an a/c repair to brush off the snow?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

100% of the time...it is a crucial part of the repair

[@TotodrivesspdTanker]

Thank you

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Yessir 🫡

[@evelynrivas5553]

Hi,what is the oil name for put into the condenser,thank you

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

It is a type of PAG oil. It varies on the car but the one for this car was PAG 46 I believe.

[@lsl43deo]

My 2011 civic ex blows hot air when outside temps are above 85°. Before I take it to the dealership, I’d like to see if there might be something we could possibly do. We’ve checked Freon levels, replaced air filters, and a fuse. We appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you so much.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Have you checked that the compressor is actually turning on?

[@lsl43deo]

@@TheMileHighMechanic Thank you for answering. I must confess that I do not know where the compressor is. All I’ve learned (by sight) under the hood is air filter, condenser, fuse (chip), Freon. Sorry.

[@lsl43deo]

I just checked google for the compressor location, and it looks like something we could not do as laypersons. Do you agree?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

If you turn on the ac full blast (while the car is on of course), you will be able to hear the compressor turn on and off (it will sound like a click). If this does not happen within 2-3 minutes of having the ac on, you might have a blown fuse. If it does click on and off and there is still no cool air from the vents, it is possible that your compressor has gone bad. Do these tests and I can tell you were to go from there.

[@lsl43deo]

@@TheMileHighMechanic thank you so much!We will check this out tomorrow, due to the lateness of our local hours. Thank you again, kind Sir.

[@Jezeus11]

So is it the same for a 2012?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

No. The concept it the same but the process in doing it is different due to the different bumper.

[@Jezeus11]

@@TheMileHighMechanic I see. Thanks for the quick reply.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@Jezeus11 Yeah, that's what I'm here for!

[@kylerogle3094]

What kind of oil do I need for the 50ml

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Pag 46 oil

[@talonm8487]

U lube the Orings with pag46 or different lube

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

Correct

[@shenray337]

Nice video bro. Wondering can we do the oil 7:50 (in the video ) after the installation? Because Im gonna installed the condenser then take it to the shop for the rest of it.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

I do not recommend it as it is needed to not let the system run dry and potentially ruin the compressor. I recommend filling it up before installation

[@shenray337]

@@TheMileHighMechanic cool man. Got it

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@shenray337 Glad I could help!

[@arileffendi89]

Can use ND OIL 8 ?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

I recommend PAG oil

[@arileffendi89]

@@TheMileHighMechanic Just use 50ml right?

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@arileffendi89 correct

[@ballardgaming]

Can i use pag 100

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

I wouldn't recommend it

[@ballardgaming]

@@TheMileHighMechanic it worked perfectly fine

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@ballardgaming good to know

[@JaidenStylezTV]

Why you gotta sound like chrisFX in your intro...switch it up

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

🤷

[@bragadodyan7623]

What size are the o rings? Thanks

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

I'm gonna be honest...I have no clue, I bought a kit that came with everything and I didn't have to size them.

[@gfrease442]

@@TheMileHighMechanic I think they are 8mm o-rings.

[@TheMileHighMechanic]

@@gfrease442 Good to know, thanks for the insight.