2011 Pilot with 190k miles. Air conditioner intermittently stops blowing cool air. Doesn't follow a pattern. It can work fine for a few days or it can happen several times a day, Iong or short drives. Sometimes turning the engine off and back on helps or turning AUTO on and off. No odd noises or smells. This only effects the front Air. The back seat Air works perfect. May 2022 We've had it checked by an AC place. They said it needed refrigerant. Found dye coming from the front evaporator core. Replaced expansion block and evaporator core. $680. AUG 2022 They found low pressure in ac system and condenser leaking. Replaced the condenser. $536. Took to Honda dealer Nov 2022, Said it was the expansion valve. Replaced it. Said compressor was working but was on the edge of range acceptability. Cost $892. What is the real problem? Should I have the compressor replaced? Thanks for your time!
What makes this problem better or worse?
Sometimes better when the engine is turned off and back on.
How long has your 2011 Honda Pilot had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2011 Honda Pilot. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
If you're getting cold air out of the rear vents, and warm or lukewarm air out of the front vents I would suspect the temperature blend door(s) actuator is failing.
Given the intermittency, and symptoms you described this seems most likely in my experience.
If the compressor was indeed failing or on the verge of failure, I would expect to have warm or lukewarm air throughout the vehicle, not just one or the other.
It's also a remote possibility that a piece of the foam insulation from the blend door itself has detached & is binding the movement of the actuator.
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Dusty
