Service Bulletin

23-039

May 19, 2023

Version 1

Warranty Extension: 2016-2021 Civic A/C Compressor Shaft Seal Leak
(1.5T, 2.0, 2.0T)
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year

Model

Trim

VIN Range

2016–2021

Civic

1.5T

Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

2016–2021

Civic

2.0

Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

2017–2021

Civic Type R

2.0T

Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

BACKGROUND
Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement the compressor shaft
seal may leak. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C compressor shaft seal from the original 3 years to
10 years from the original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation.
The new refrigerant and oil may cause swelling of the compressor shaft seal. The swelling may lead to abnormal
wearing of the seal which may increase seal gaps around the compressor shaft allowing refrigerant to leak out.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Do the inspection procedure and if directed, replace the compressor shaft seal.
PARTS INFORMATION
Description

Part Number

Quantity

Seal Set Assembly Kit (Contains: Bolt, Washer Set, Pulley CRing, Felt Washer, Shaft Seal, C-Ring Seal, Suction Port Plug,
Discharge Port Plug)

38918-64A-318

1

O-Ring (1/2”)

80872-SN7-003

1

O-Ring (5/8”)

80871-SN7-003

1

CUSTOMER INFORMATION:The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment, and
training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.
©

2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. — All Rights Reserved

Page 1 of 25

REQUIRED MATERIALS
Description

Part Number

Quantity

POE Compressor Oil

38899-RLV-A01

1

RB100EV Oil

38899-64A-A02

1

NOTE: POE Compressor Oil will be phased out and unavailable once RB100EV arrives in domestic inventory.
TOOLS INFORMATION
Part Name

Part Number

Quantity

6CVC Seal Replacement Kit

07AAC-5AAA1Z0

1

Auto-shipped to dealer in December 2022. Contact Special Tools Hotline at (800) 346-6327 if your dealership has not
received this tool kit.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
Operation
Number

Description

Flat
Rate
Time

Defect
Code

Symptom
Code

Template ID

Failed Part Number

6141D4

AC compressor seal
replacement (includes
inspection, evacuate
and recharge)

2.1 hr

6A500

RE800

A23039A

38810-5BA-A03

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VISUAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Remove the right front tire.
2. Remove the undercover assembly.

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3. Remove the drive belt.
NOTE: This is a hydraulic type auto-tensioner so turn the wrench slowly for at least 3 seconds.

4. Inspect for oil on the clutch area of the compressor while in the on-car position.
NOTE: If oil is stuck to the clutch area of the compressor, then proceed to the repair procedure.

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5. If no oil is noticed, leave the compressor on the vehicle. Remove the center hub bolt and hub/armature plate from
the compressor. Then, inspect both for oil.
NOTE:
•

If oil is present on the hub/armature plate, then proceed to the repair procedure.

•

If no oil is present, then proceed to step 6.

Examples of dry and oily clutch assemblies.

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6. Remove the felt washer from the compressor and gently place it on a clean sheet of copier paper.
NOTE: If oil transfers from felt washer to paper after 10 seconds, then proceed to the repair procedure. If not, then
proceed to step 7.

7. Using a calibrated sniffer, check for a leak.
NOTE:
•

Use the sniffer for at least five minutes around the snout of the compressor.

•

The longer an A/C compressor has not been ran, the better chance you will have at detecting a leak.

•

A higher vehicle temperature produces more accurate results.

•

If a leak is detected, then proceed to the repair procedure.

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8. If no oil or leak is found, reassemble the hub/armature plate with the original bolt and torque to (17 N·m or 13 lb-ft).
If this is a second time and no leak is found, reassemble the hub/armature plate with a new bolt and torque to (17
N·m or 13 lb-ft).
NOTE:
•

Verify that the clutch and pulley rotate smoothly and independently.

•

Measure the clearance between the pulley and armature plate all the way around. If clearance is not within
specified limits, remove the armature plate and add/or remove shims as needed

•

Clearance: 0.30–0.60mm (0.012–0.024in)

•

Shims are available in three sizes: 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm.

9. Reinstall the belt.
10. Run the vehicle for ten minutes and then do step 7, again.
NOTE: If no leak or oil found after completing the second time, then continue with the normal leak check procedure
of other A/C components.

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REPAIR PROCEDURE
Chance for fluids to enter eyes and/or hands which can cause injury. Use safety glasses and rubber gloves.
Click here to view a video of the seal repair procedure:
1. Connect an A/C recover/recycle/recharge machine to both the high-pressure service port and the low-pressure
service port. Follow the equipment’s manufacturer instructions.

2. Recover the A/C refrigerant.

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3. Disconnect the discharge and suction hose.
NOTE:
•

Use the port plugs in the seal assembly kit to immediately seal the ports after disconnection. This avoids
moisture and dust contamination from entering the air conditioning compressor. Installing an A/C compressor
into a contaminated system can result in premature A/C compressor failure.

•

For the Type R only, also remove the change air cooler inlet hose and A/C condenser fan shroud.

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4. Remove the A/C compressor.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the radiator fins while removing the A/C compressor.

5. If not already removed, remove the clutch center flange bolt (10 mm), tightened at 17 N·m (13 lb-ft).
NOTE: Make sure to wear proper PPE before continuing with the repair procedure.

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6. If not already removed, remove the clutch, carefully, to not drop/lose any shims (usually 1–2 shims).

7. If not already removed, use a pick and remove the felt washer.

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8. Remove the outer pulley C-ring.

9. Remove the pulley.

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10. Remove the seal C-ring.

11. Thoroughly clean the bore and shaft with a lint free cloth.
NOTE: Do not use compressed air. The bore needs to be very clean as to prevent debris from entering the
compressor once the seal is removed. Failure to remove all debris will result in a future failure.

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12. Remove the side bracket.

13. Place the press tool onto the A/C compressor and insert (2) holding pins. Make sure the press tool installs where
the press shaft and compressor shaft align. The press tool will only align correctly in one orientation. The pins must
be all the way through.

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14. Add the press adapter tool.

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15. Add grease to the press adapter button and press threads.

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16. Tighten the press until there is no clearance, and then 3/4 turn (270°).

17. Remove the adapter and press.
18. Insert the cylinder tool onto the A/C compressor.

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19. Insert the extractor tool, and make sure the 24 mm nut is positioned towards the top. Look into the cylinder window
to align the extractor tool onto the flange and press the handle fully down to grab the seal.
NOTE: The 24 mm nut will use a 36 mm wrench.

20. Stabilize the extractor tool using a 19 mm wrench on the top. Then, turn the handle clockwise until resistance is felt.
Make sure that the space between the 19 mm wrench and the bottom portion of the extractor tool is minimal.
NOTE: To confirm the extractor is engaged, hold the extractor tool and lift the compressor up.

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21. Apply grease between the 24 mm nut and cylinder as well as cylinder top.

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22. With the 19 mm wrench in place, lower the 24 mm nut down until it reaches the cylinder. Slowly and carefully adjust
until the extractor tool comes out freely with the seal.
NOTE:
•

Resistance will be felt while lowering 24 mm nut and will cease once the seal is extracted.

•

If the seal does not come out on the first step, repeat the process starting at step 13.

Page 20 of 25

23. Thoroughly clean the bore and shaft with a lint free cloth.
NOTE: Do not use compressed air. The bore needs to be very clean as to prevent debris from entering the
compressor once the seal is installed. Failure to remove all debris will result in future failure.

24. Inspect the compressor shaft bore for visible damage; Inspect the seal guide for contamination or damage.
25. Lubricate the new seal outer surface, seal guide, and bore with new POE compressor oil.
NOTE:
•

Avoid touching the center of the seal with hands as to prevent cross-contamination of the A/C refrigerant
system.

•

Make sure to clean surface using clean gloves and with a lint free cloth before lubrication.

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26. Insert the seal guide tool onto A/C compressor shaft.

27. Insert the new seal onto the seal guide tool.
NOTE: The seal is directional and must be placed with the metal side upwards as shown in step 27.

28. Insert the press adapter tool over the seal guide.

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29. By hand, press down just enough to seat and install the new seal.
NOTE: Seat the seal about 5 mm below the bore.

30. Insert the new seal C-ring with the teeth’s rounded side pointing down into the bore.

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31. Add the press tool.

32. Tighten the press by rotating the handle clockwise until it reaches the adapter tool. Slowly and carefully continue to
rotate the handle clockwise until the seal is pressed down roughly 10 mm below the bore.
NOTE: Tighten the press until the C-clip is installed into the clip groove. There will be a sound or vibration felt when
the C-clip is fully set.

33. Remove the press and the adapter tool when successfully completed.
34. Clean the pulley and A/C compressor friction surfaces with contact cleaner or another non-petroleum solvent.

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35. Install the pulley.
36. Install the new pulley outer C-ring.
NOTE: C-ring for pulley and seal must be replaced.
37. Install the new felt washer.
38. Measure existing shims with caliper and make sure the thickness is the same.
39. Install the clutch plate and spacers.
40. Add the new clutch center flange bolt and tighten to 17 N·m (13lb-ft).
41. Fill compressor with one complete can of POE compressor oil.
42. Mount the side bracket.
43. Install the compressor.
44. Connect the suction and discharge hose.
45. Install the drive belt.
46. Install the remaining parts.
47. Fill the A/C system with the correct amount of A/C refrigerant, and then perform a vacuum check.
48. Set the A/C system to MAX COOL, and run the vehicle for ten minutes with between 1,500-2,000 RPM.
NOTE:
•

Use the calibrated sniffer in the area of the shaft seal.

•

If a leak is detected, replace the seal again.

•

After a second seal is replaced, if a leak is detected, then replace the compressor assembly.

49. Use the calibrated sniffer to check around the clutch area and the O-ring area, without the engine running.
50. Install the undercover assembly and tire if no leak is detected.
END

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