AC/Heater Something high pressure released under my bonnet

neilfs · 29th March 2008, 13:27

Hi all,

Done a bit of digging but cannot see any one mentioning the fault I saw yesterday.

I have a '07 model 56 plate Civic 2.2 Diesel EX.

It's done 26k, and to date never gone wrong - the suspension clonks a little but to be fair I live down an unmade road.

Yesterday after a short drive, 10 miles I was stuck going through slow traffic in the local town, music on and I noticed smoke/steam clinging to the side of the car with the wind quickly dispersing it. I suddently thought the car was on fire, but the steam/smoke vanashed, the engine continued to run and everything went back to normal.

The typical air-conditioning smell however came through very strong, but even that went away fairly quickly.

I completely forgot about it, then last night, picking a friend up, his dad was being very chatty we were sat with the engine running for five minutes, but this time music off, and drivers window down.

The noise was like the release valve on a busses compressed air letting excess air out of the tank, but again a lot of steam/smoke came out of the front of the car but was quickly dispersed by the wind.

My friend is a car mechanic - he was puzzled - he is trained to refill car air conditioning systems, he never knew they had a release valve.

We lifted the bonnet and found that on the top of the plastic tray which goes under the engine it was wet around the area of the air conditioning compressor!

Anyone had this problem?

Oddly air conditioning seems to be working fine.

Kremmen · 29th March 2008, 13:37

I would suggest a rapid visit to a dealer.

neilfs · 29th March 2008, 13:41

Already booked in.

Kremmen · 29th March 2008, 13:42

Just checking

nico651 · 29th March 2008, 14:03

As you can see here, there is in fact a pressure relief valve on the A/C compressor. I'm not a car mechanic and I don't know in which case there could be a pressure buildup... Maybe the valve is broken and is letting out some gas. The airco will eventually continue working but not for 100%.
I can only guess. Let your dealer have it checked asap...

neilfs · 29th March 2008, 14:18

Thanks for that.

Well that confirms what happened, now hopefully the dealer can find the cause and re-fill my AC.

29th March 2008, 13:27	#1 (permalink)
neilfs Valve Cap Join Date: 18th November 2006 Location: Hindhead, Surrey Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Something high pressure released under my bonnet Hi all, Done a bit of digging but cannot see any one mentioning the fault I saw yesterday. I have a '07 model 56 plate Civic 2.2 Diesel EX. It's done 26k, and to date never gone wrong - the suspension clonks a little but to be fair I live down an unmade road. Yesterday after a short drive, 10 miles I was stuck going through slow traffic in the local town, music on and I noticed smoke/steam clinging to the side of the car with the wind quickly dispersing it. I suddently thought the car was on fire, but the steam/smoke vanashed, the engine continued to run and everything went back to normal. The typical air-conditioning smell however came through very strong, but even that went away fairly quickly. I completely forgot about it, then last night, picking a friend up, his dad was being very chatty we were sat with the engine running for five minutes, but this time music off, and drivers window down. The noise was like the release valve on a busses compressed air letting excess air out of the tank, but again a lot of steam/smoke came out of the front of the car but was quickly dispersed by the wind. My friend is a car mechanic - he was puzzled - he is trained to refill car air conditioning systems, he never knew they had a release valve. We lifted the bonnet and found that on the top of the plastic tray which goes under the engine it was wet around the area of the air conditioning compressor! Anyone had this problem? Oddly air conditioning seems to be working fine.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Something high pressure released under my bonnet
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Warnings Tyre pressure	gm1980	Electronics	7	7th March 2008 09:06
Honda has released its globals sales and production report for 2007, spanning motorcy	Honda News Feed	Honda News	0	28th January 2008 03:31
Tyre Pressure Tyre pressure at dealers	smb09_1999	Wheels, Tyres, Suspension and Brakes	8	27th June 2007 06:55
Model year planning to buy the civic s - when is it released?	wigman15	Buying, Dealers and Servicing	3	18th September 2006 22:11
Oil CDTI Oil Pressure	tonx90	Engines and Transmission	3	17th April 2006 15:58


This thread is about: Something high pressure released under my bonnet, it's in Bugs, faults and irritations at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Hi all, Done a bit of digging but cannot see any one mentioning the fault I saw yesterday. I have a '07 model 56 plate ...

29th March 2008, 13:37	#2 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,407 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	I would suggest a rapid visit to a dealer.

29th March 2008, 13:41	#3 (permalink)
neilfs Valve Cap Join Date: 18th November 2006 Location: Hindhead, Surrey Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Already booked in.

29th March 2008, 13:42	#4 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,407 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Just checking

29th March 2008, 14:18	#6 (permalink)
neilfs Valve Cap Join Date: 18th November 2006 Location: Hindhead, Surrey Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for that. Well that confirms what happened, now hopefully the dealer can find the cause and re-fill my AC.