AC Hose - High Side

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the high-side AC hose on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord with 1.5L turbo engine, including refrigerant recovery, hose replacement, and system recharge.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• AC high-side hose assembly × 1 — 80315-TVA-A01 or equivalent OEM
• AC line O-rings × 4 — Use OEM Honda AC O-ring kit
• R-134a refrigerant × 1 — Per system capacity specification
• PAG 46 compressor oil × 1 — Honda 08798-9002 or equivalent
• UV dye (if equipped) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is cold before beginning work
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Verify AC system operation and note any performance issues before disassembly
4. Locate underhood AC specification label (typically on radiator support or hood underside) and record refrigerant capacity and compressor oil specification
5. Have AC recovery machine ready and connected per manufacturer instructions
6. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on cover (friction fit clips)

Procedure

1. 1

   Recover refrigerant from AC system
   Connect AC recovery machine to service ports. Low-side port is on larger suction line near firewall. High-side port is on smaller liquid line near condenser. Follow recovery machine instructions to fully evacuate refrigerant from system. Recovery machine will indicate when process is complete, typically 15-20 minutes. Record amount of refrigerant recovered for recharge reference.
2. 2

   Disconnect battery negative terminal
   Use 10mm socket to loosen and remove negative battery cable from battery terminal. Secure cable away from battery. Wait 3 minutes for vehicle systems to power down completely. This prevents SRS and electrical system issues during repair.
   ⚠Do not touch both battery terminals simultaneously. Radio and clock settings will be lost.
3. 3

   Remove airbox assembly for access
   Disconnect MAF sensor electrical connector by pressing tab and pulling straight out. Loosen air intake tube clamp at throttle body using flathead screwdriver or 8mm socket. Remove four 10mm bolts securing airbox to fender and bracket. Lift airbox assembly up and out of engine bay. Set aside carefully to avoid damaging MAF sensor.
4. 4

   Locate and identify high-side hose connections
   The high-side hose runs from the compressor (driver side of engine) to the condenser (front of vehicle). Identify connection points: compressor discharge port (lower connection on compressor), and condenser inlet (passenger side of condenser). Note routing and any clips securing hose to body. Take photo for reinstallation reference.
5. 5

   Disconnect hose at condenser
   Use needle nose pliers to remove spring lock clip from condenser inlet fitting. Use 17mm flare nut wrench to loosen fitting at condenser. Turn counterclockwise while holding condenser port stable with second wrench if needed. Once loose, unthread by hand. Small amount of residual oil may drain. Cap or plug condenser port immediately to prevent contamination.
   ⚠Do not use open-end wrench on flare fittings as this will round edges. Use proper flare nut wrench.
6. 6

   Disconnect hose at compressor discharge port
   Access compressor discharge port from below engine bay or through wheel well. Remove any protective covers using trim tools. Use 14mm flare nut wrench to loosen discharge port fitting. Turn counterclockwise. Once loose, unthread by hand. Cap or plug compressor discharge port immediately. Some residual oil will drain from hose.
7. 7

   Remove routing clips and extract hose
   Locate all routing clips securing high-side hose to chassis and engine components. Typically 2-3 clips along engine and frame rail. Use needle nose pliers to compress clip tabs and slide hose out of clips. Carefully route hose out of engine bay, noting path around alternator and engine mount. Inspect removed hose for damage, kinks, or abrasion that may have caused failure.
8. 8

   Remove and inspect old O-rings
   Use pick tool or small flathead screwdriver to carefully remove old O-rings from compressor discharge port and condenser inlet port. Inspect sealing surfaces for scratches, corrosion, or damage. Clean sealing surfaces with lint-free shop towel. Any debris or damage will cause leaks. Do not use abrasive materials on aluminum sealing surfaces.
   ⚠Be extremely careful not to scratch sealing surfaces with pick tool. Scratches will cause refrigerant leaks.
9. 9

   Prepare and install new O-rings
   Remove new O-rings from packaging. Coat all new O-rings generously with clean PAG 46 compressor oil. Do not use any other lubricant. Install new O-rings into grooves on both compressor discharge port and condenser inlet port. Ensure O-rings seat fully in grooves and are not twisted. Also coat O-rings on new hose fittings with PAG oil.
10. 10

    Route and position new high-side hose
    Route new high-side hose through engine bay following same path as original hose. Reference photos taken during disassembly. Ensure hose does not contact hot exhaust components, sharp edges, or moving parts. Position hose so fittings align naturally with compressor and condenser ports without stress or kinking. Secure hose in routing clips.
11. 11

    Connect hose to compressor discharge port
    Remove protective cap from compressor discharge port. Thread new hose fitting onto compressor discharge port by hand, turning clockwise. Thread at least 3-4 full turns by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Use 14mm flare nut wrench and torque wrench to tighten to specification. Hold compressor port stable with second wrench if needed.
    ⚠Cross-threading aluminum AC fittings will destroy threads. Ensure fitting threads smoothly by hand before using wrench.
    Torque spec

    AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Connect hose to condenser inlet
    Remove protective cap from condenser inlet port. Thread hose fitting onto condenser inlet by hand, turning clockwise. Thread at least 3-4 full turns by hand to ensure proper engagement. Use 17mm flare nut wrench and torque wrench to tighten to specification. Install spring lock clip into groove on fitting. Verify clip is fully seated.
    Torque spec

    AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Verify hose routing and clearances
    Visually inspect entire high-side hose routing. Verify minimum 25mm clearance from exhaust manifold and turbocharger. Check clearance from accessory drive belt and pulleys. Ensure hose is secured in all routing clips and cannot vibrate against chassis. Gently tug hose to verify fittings are tight and properly seated.
14. 14

    Reinstall airbox assembly
    Position airbox assembly back into place on fender. Install four 10mm mounting bolts finger-tight, then tighten in cross pattern. Connect air intake tube to throttle body and tighten clamp securely. Reconnect MAF sensor electrical connector until it clicks. Verify airbox is stable and intake tube has no air leaks.
15. 15

    Evacuate and recharge AC system
    Connect AC service machine to high and low side service ports. Run vacuum pump for minimum 45 minutes to achieve deep vacuum (29+ inches Hg). Monitor for vacuum hold - system should hold vacuum for 10 minutes without dropping, indicating no leaks. If vacuum holds, recharge system with refrigerant amount recorded during recovery (or per underhood label specification). Add appropriate amount of PAG 46 oil if required by service machine. Add UV dye if equipped.
    ⚠If system does not hold vacuum, there is a leak. Do not recharge system. Recheck all fittings and O-ring installation.
16. 16

    Reconnect battery and install engine cover
    Reconnect negative battery cable and tighten with 10mm socket. Position engine cover and press down firmly on all mounting points until cover clicks into place. Verify cover is secure.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all AC line fittings are torqued to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) specification
2. Verify all routing clips are installed and hose has proper clearances
3. Confirm battery is reconnected and engine cover is properly seated
4. Reset clock and radio presets as needed

Verification

• Start engine and turn AC to maximum cold, maximum fan speed
• Allow AC system to run for 5 minutes to reach operating temperature
• Use digital thermometer to measure center vent temperature - should reach 40-45°F (4-7°C) ambient depending on conditions
• Listen for abnormal noises from compressor or hoses
• Visually inspect all fittings for signs of oil leakage while system is running
• Use UV light to inspect for leaks if system was recharged with UV dye
• Verify high-side pressure reads 200-250 PSI and low-side reads 25-35 PSI at idle (varies with ambient temperature)
• Scan for AC system diagnostic codes using Honda scan tool - there should be no codes present
• Test AC performance during road test under various engine loads

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