Air conditioner in 08 GX

[advocate]

I just got my 08 GX about two weeks ago and haven't been happy with the AC performance. Whenever I accelerate, the air gets warmer and then cools back down again when I ease off on the gas. Its not a big deal when it's cool, but when the temperature is over 80 degrees, it doesn't cool well enough.

Anyone else have similar problems with the AC in their GX?

[Timon]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

I've never noticed that on my 2004. I wonder if the computer shuts down the compressor.

[siai47]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

Haven't noticed any problem like you describe in my '06. Is this hard acceleration or just normal acceleration? The only thing I have noticed is that if the temperture knob isn't rotated within one click of all the way counterclockwise, cooling is almost non-existent.

[cnielsen]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

It was 86 yesterday here and I didnt see any problems with our '08. I will try to see if it happens but I also dont accelerate hard.

[Beej]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

The AC in my '08 GX has been just fine ... for a Civic. I've owned 7 Hondas, 5 Civics and 2 Accords, and one thing that has always been true is the bigger the engine the better the AC.

[Larryect]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

let us know what you find out. I have noticed the same thing with my o2.

[scott]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

advocate,

You are correct. All of mine have done the same thing. Warm air on brisk acceleration with the a/c on. The warmer the outside air temp the more noticable. However, on a steep grade with the rpm's already up it doesn't seem to kick off with the pedal down.

[Adrian]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

I've noticed the same lame A/C performance with both my '08 Civic GX's too.

[cngmark]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

it is normal for the a/c comp to disengage on accel. it will give a little more power when you need it, this will be more evident when using a/c on fresh
air than recirc. nothing new, honda has been like this for years and years.

[CraziFuzzy]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

most modern cars shut down the ac when over like 75-80% throttle. However, on most cars, you're only above that 75-80% for a short time. In the underpowered gx though, it seems to be a lot more often.. :-)

[hondatech]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

Since the introduction of R134a into automotive a/c systems, EPA has been requiring auto manufacters to use less and less refrigerant every year. With the new Civic and Fit models, refrigerant capacity has been greatly reduced, this of course affects a/c cooling performance. Lots of previous Honda owners complain about the cooling efficiency on their new Hondas.

Also as stated, compressor operation shuts off during heavy loads such as sudden acceleration or going uphill.

It doesn't hurt to take it to your Honda dealer if its still under warranty. We have charts that determine if pressures in your a/c system are normal or not depending on the ambient temperature. I've seen a/c systems on new Civics leak, but not as common.

[advocate]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

Hondatech,

A few weeks ago, we had a very hot spell, and the AC was cycling between 44 and 56 degrees F, a much wider swing than normal with any AC. I took it to my favorite dealer (one with very high service CSI scores) and they said the pressures and vent temp checked out fine at idle, but when they drove it, they agreed the temperature was getting much too high. They also compared with another GX and found that the other one cycled at 42-44F during driving. This was back when it was 100F+.

Ultimately, they decided to replace the AC expansion valve. By the time I got the car back, the temperature had cooled down. Since then, it really hasn't been that hot, so I haven't been able to give it a really good test in hot temperatures, but it seems to be performing okay.

Even with the cool temperature, I have noticed a slight vent temperature increase on moderate acceleration, but as soon as the RPMs get up to about 4k, the system begins cooling again. It seems to be working much better, but I haven't been able to test it when it's really hot, yet. When you get yours, see if you notice a similar behavior and plesae let me know.

My suspicion is that Honda chose to kick off the AC even on modest accel since the engine is so weak, and most people wouldn't notice what I'm experiencing. I probably only notice it because the AC was performing so poorly before and I'm watching for it.

Have you gotten your GX yet?

Since the introduction of R134a into automotive a/c systems, EPA has been requiring auto manufacters to use less and less refrigerant every year. With the new Civic and Fit models, refrigerant capacity has been greatly reduced, this of course affects a/c cooling performance. Lots of previous Honda owners complain about the cooling efficiency on their new Hondas.

Also as stated, compressor operation shuts off during heavy loads such as sudden acceleration or going uphill.

It doesn't hurt to take it to your Honda dealer if its still under warranty. We have charts that determine if pressures in your a/c system are normal or not depending on the ambient temperature. I've seen a/c systems on new Civics leak, but not as common.

[hondatech]

Re: Air conditioner in 08 GX

No, my GX is due to arrive sometime after mid-July, I can't wait!