[hcabrera]

Been watching this thread closely! So far no cold air from the AC in the Elite. I been wondering if there is a cut off temperature where the ambient is too low and the AC is programed not to function.

75 degrees F and no AC today. Back to the dealer again I bet.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

The Elite goes back to the dealer this Thursday. AC is Kaput. I now find the new Hondas on the same level as the old BSA motorcycles.

For those that can't remember that time period or didn't live it; the following. 10K miles and the motor was Kaput, needed a total overhaul. Then the infamous Lucas Electric. If riding after dark, carry two spare head light bulbs. At least one would burn out. In some places Lucas was referred to as the "Prince of Darkness". As relating to AC, an old Lucas joke. Why do the English drink warm beer? The punch line: Lucas also makes refridgerators. Seems Honda has taken BSA's place when it comes to AC.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

The joys of early adoption. I called two dealers here in Montana and from the sound of it EVERY passport sold in MT has the ac issue...only about 8-10 of us so far. They told me its the evaporator unit and theyre stocking up to replace them all. Also looking into the TCU service bulletin as my touch screen freezes and i cant start the car with the app.

Way back when Honda Motorcycle dealers had issues with a new model, Honda sent the required number of repair parts to those dealers. Haven't looked at the production numbers for Passports, but this could be a rather large amount of CFC's vented into the atmosphere. All due to lack of quality control.

Has American Honda Manufacturing informed the proper authorities as to this event. Doubt the NHSTA would be interested. Honda needs to come clean!

For those of us affected by this event keep good records. If the Freon compressor was run for any length of time it could be damaged. As the Freon escapes, so does the lubrication oil.

 

[hcabrera]

Yes, we have another Passport with the infamous evaporator gasket leak. Seems the diagnosis was a team effort by all members of the service department. One of the service advisors spoke with me a while and I mentioned said leak; evaporator gasket leak described on the web. Off he went back to the service area and returned several minutes later. Sure enough at the evaporator area of my Passport the leak was covered with volcanic pumice and crushed rock fragments. The lubricant added to the Freon charge is a wonderful magnet!

This is great fun, 50 mile round trips to the Honda dealer. More fun to follow, repair parts are only 5 days away. A gizmo; Freon receiver/drier, gasket and other thingies will be replaced. Really not sure why, but it is under warranty.

The Freon receiver/drier has a dual purpose. Compressors that I've dealt with hate compressing liquids. For the most part, liquids don't compress. Results are broken compressors. The receiver catches any liquid Freon returning to the compressor suction. With a proper Freon charge only Freon gas finds a way to the suction of the compressor. The drier will catch and retain any water vapor that is not removed by way of the vacuum pump used to pull all air & etc from the AC system before the Freon and lubricant are charged.

later...…..back to playing Solitaire with a deck of 51.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

For grins & giggles:

Or for the retired and time on their hands please go back in time a decade or more. Research the following.

Might want to start with Bell Laboratory and a fellow by the name of Deming. His research/work most notably, SQC, was one reason WWII was won by the Allies. Our war material had to work the first time as it rolled off of the assembly lines. There is no excuse when bullets are flying!

Deming, at war's end took his methods to Japan and that country embraced his teachings. Soichiro Honda turned the motorcycle industry upside down with quality control! From my life's experience American Honda Manufacturing is living on past laurels.

Work and life is so, so, much easier when things are built correctly the first time. There is a huge lack of desire and talent in today's workforce. At my age, it is sit back, relax, have another beer, and watch the struggle.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

dumb dealer left the caps off my ac lines when they sent home my car for the weekend and now theres a bunch of crap on the under side of the hood...

apparently they started the repair by purging the lines but didnt finish the job when the part never showed up so they sent it home dry with no caps. dont like the idea of driving around like that.

That "bunch of crap on the under side of the hood" is most likely lubricant sprayed there when someone discharged the Freon. A huge NO NO!!!! CFC's have to be recovered! All certified technicians are required to pass an exam and have equipment to recover CFC's.

Once again going way back 1994-1995 anyone servicing refrigeration units had to pass a certification exam. Venting CFC's to the atmosphere is wrong. Take a photo, got a smart phone? Going through the olde junk box, the certification was required by 40 CFR 82 Subpart F.

Research, find out what government agency handles violations.

Talk to anyone in business today, the challenge is to find qualified employees. Maybe more drugs should be legalized. Education is lacking, no funding for education. Is our country competitive on the global market?

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

The missing caps will not cause what you have under the hood. The caps are to protect the valves on the low pressure & high pressure lines where the dealership's AC machine is connected. Those caps will not prevent leaks.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

There have been many changes regarding refrigerants during the past several years. Possibly dealers/Service Techs are not keeping up on refrigerant handling.

I don't believe "Freon", for instance, is used any more. The latest refrigerant is described as "R1234YF" (Honeywell is one supplier) and it is my understanding that ALL auto manufactures are to use this new refrigerant by a certain date. I don't know if Honda has 100% updated the use yet.

One key question is: Have Service Techs been recently qualified and updated in new refrigerant handling?

The use of the word, Freon, is generic. Last real conversation with anyone working with refrigeration, only a qualified/certified person could order/purchase/use refrigerants. Been a while since I played in this arena and every time I look at an AC unit there is a new R*****?? description..............someone else's challenge. Bet the regulations are the same, don't vent to atmosphere.

Stuck,

 

[hcabrera]

Took the Elite into the dealership yesterday at 8AM. They called today around 11AM and said the vehicle is ready and the AC is blowing ice cubes. Just got back home and took a look under the hood. Both protective caps on the charging lines are missing! I live on a crushed basalt rock road. Extremely dusty this time of year. After the grim gets into this charging area, those valves will have a difficult time seating when the system needs service again.

So much for QC.

Stuck,