Hi, The air conditioning on my 98 civic broke about a week ago, now it just blows warm air. I live in Houston so I want to fix this soon (I hope it doesn't harm the engine any driving in hot weather without A/ C). Is there any way I can determine what's wrong by myself, and fix it by myself, or should I just take it to a shop, would it be a lot of hassle to fix? Any ideas on what's likely to be wrong -- how can i check (describe what things look like if you can please, not familiar with car parts). How much can i expect to pay? Thanks
It's 99% sure to be low on refrigerant because of a leak. You will find that AC repair shops do an inconsistent job of finding leaks, and that refilling the system is expensive. Try to find one with a reputation for being conscientious and competent. You can get a refrigerant refill kit from most any auto parts store, that may get you going for a season, but that is no substitute for fixing the leak. That requires professional equipment. AC puts an extra load on the engine in hot weather, and uses more fuel too. From the standpoint of what's good for your engine you are better off driving around with the windows open. Earle
