AC blowing hot air after being serviced

Tiny
CHIMISE03
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I had my AC service yesterday and they even put a dye in there to make sure I do not have any leaks and it was blowing cold. However, when I turned it on today it is blowing hot air and I do not see any dye. Can someone tell me what that is it is very hot outside?
Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 1:00 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,741 POSTS
The dye shows up as a bright yellow stain under a black light. Some AC system dyes do show up as a shiny green stain in natural light, but some cannot be seen without the black light. Also keep in mind refrigerant is lost when it escapes as a vapor. It is possible for the dye to circulate in the system but not make it to a leak.

Two common sources of leaks are the condenser in front of the radiator and the evaporator inside the heater box under the dash. Dye can be almost impossible to see from those places. The dye can be a great tool for very slow leaks, but if your system is going empty in as little as a few weeks, an electronic leak detector is the better tool.

The first thing your mechanic should do is connect a set of gauges to see what the pressures are when the system is running. If they are somewhat normal, the better suspect is the temperature door or actuator in the heater box. Many cars use a computer module to run the mode and temperature doors. Those computers cause more trouble than almost anything else.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
CHIMISE03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Are talking about the blend door actuators?
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,741 POSTS
Yes. The temperature door blends heated and non-heated or cooled and non-cooled air to get the desired temperature. The mode doors switch where the air blows from.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 2:46 PM

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