If you are shopping for a 38810-RNA-014 Honda Accord AC compressor, you know the part number but may not know every check that keeps a replacement from becoming a second failed install. The 38810-RNA-014 and its twin, the 38810-RNA-024, are the OE numbers for the A/C compressor across much of the Honda Accord range. This guide covers fitment facts, refrigerant and oil details, the physical checks to demand before shipment, and the steps that protect your warranty after fitting.
Does the 38810-RNA-014 / 38810-RNA-024 Fit Your Accord’s Model Year and Engine?
Fitment for this compressor starts with three facts that must line up: the model year of the Accord, the engine under the hood, and the OE number stamped on the old unit. The 38810-RNA-014 and 38810-RNA-024 are used across several Accord generations and engine options, but “Accord” alone is not enough to order from. A V6 Accord and a 4-cylinder Accord can use different compressor bodies even in the same model year, because the mounting brackets and the accessory belt layout change with the engine.
The reliable way to confirm fitment is to match three identifiers. First, the OE number printed on your old compressor — if it reads 38810-RNA-014 or 38810-RNA-024, you are in the right family. Second, the VIN of the car, which a good supplier uses to check the exact variant. Third, the engine size and model year, which decide pulley offset and mounting pattern. Application guides published by parts manufacturers list OE numbers next to the vehicles they serve, so a supplier that asks for your VIN and old-part label follows a process you can verify, not guess.
If the old label is missing or worn, do not stop at the model year. Read the engine size from the VIN, and if possible pull the compressor off the car and photograph the label before ordering. A photo of the old label removes almost all guesswork, because it gives the supplier the exact OE number to match against stock.
This exact unit is stocked under our AC Compressor for Honda Accord | 38810-RNA-014 38810-RNA-024 Bulk Order Accepted product page, where you can review the supplied configuration and order quantities for a workshop or wholesale order.
Run this quick fitment checklist before you quote:
- OE number on the old compressor (38810-RNA-014 or 38810-RNA-024, or a superseding number).
- VIN of the target vehicle.
- Model year and engine size (for example 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.5L V6).
- Photo of the old label when the number is hard to read.
- Refrigerant sticker under the hood (see the next section).
R134a or R1234yf: Which Refrigerant Does Your Accord Use?
The refrigerant question is not optional, because the compressor oil that ships in a new unit is matched to the refrigerant, and the two systems are not freely interchangeable. Most Honda Accords that carry the 38810-RNA-014 / 38810-RNA-024 compressor run R134a refrigerant. Newer production years in some markets have moved toward R1234yf, a lower-global-warming refrigerant that is not a drop-in for an R134a system. Before you order, check the under-hood A/C label on the car. It states the refrigerant type and the oil charge the factory specifies, and it is the document your technician will follow when the system is recharged.
Why does this matter for buying a compressor? The compressor’s internal oil is usually chosen to match the refrigerant family — PAG-type oil is the norm for these systems — and the exact grade and charge are printed on the vehicle label or in the application data. Mixing refrigerants contaminates the system: the seals, the receiver-drier, and the expansion valve are all designed around one refrigerant family. Published A/C compressor application guides cover both the OE fitment and the refrigerant note for each listing.
If your customer’s car shows R134a, confirm the replacement compressor is supplied for R134a service. If it shows R1234yf, the compressor, oil, and fittings must all match that standard.
Pulley Grooves and Port Interface: The Physical Checks
Before any compressor leaves a warehouse, the physical interface has to match the car. Two checks matter most: the belt drive and the connection ports. The pulley on the 38810-RNA-014 / 38810-RNA-024 compressor is a serpentine pulley with a fixed groove count that must match the belt on the Accord — a wrong groove count slips or will not seat. Count the grooves on the old pulley and compare them with the replacement before shipment.
The second check is the port and mounting interface. The high- and low-pressure ports must line up with the A/C lines, and the mounting holes must match the bracket pattern on the engine. These details differ between engine variants, which is why the engine size matters as much as the OE number.
For a full range of units and the fitment notes on each listing, browse our replacement A/C compressors category.
If the old compressor is still on the car, a photo of the pulley side and the port side costs nothing and answers both checks. Send both photos with your inquiry.
Compressor Oil Type and Pre-Charge: What to Confirm
New and remanufactured compressors can ship dry or with a pre-charge of oil. The difference matters on installation day. A dry compressor must be oiled to the factory spec before the system is run; a pre-charged unit comes with the correct oil already inside, which is the safer option for most workshops. The vehicle’s A/C label and the application guide state the oil type and charge, and you should confirm which arrangement the supplier ships before you quote.
The oil type is not a small detail. PAG oil comes in different viscosity grades, and the wrong grade can reduce compressor life or cause the clutch to chatter. The amount matters too: too little oil starves the compressor, and too much oil reduces cooling and can damage the system. Because the oil charge depends on the refrigerant, the evaporator size, and the line lengths of that specific vehicle, the only reliable reference is the factory label or the published application data for the exact model.
Ask the supplier three questions before you commit: Does the unit ship pre-charged or dry? What oil type and charge is specified for my customer’s Accord? Is the oil spec listed on the unit or in the supplied documentation? A supplier that answers all three clearly has done the application work.
To read how OE part numbers are cross-checked against fitment before a compressor ships, see our related technical guide on A/C compressor buying by OEM part number.
Why Flushing the System Protects Your Warranty Claim
Most compressor warranties exclude failures caused by contamination. When a compressor fails, it often sheds debris into the system — metal shavings, old oil, and moisture can all be circulating. If a new compressor is bolted on without flushing the lines, condenser, and evaporator, that debris can damage the new unit within days. The warranty language on most parts covers a clean system, and contamination is a common reason claims are refused.
This is why the flushing step is part of the checklist, not an optional extra. Replace or clean the receiver-drier at the same time, because it traps moisture and debris and can release them back into a fresh system. Confirm the expansion valve is not blocked. After fitting, the system should be evacuated with a vacuum pump before charging to remove moisture that would otherwise attack the oil and the desiccant.
For a workshop, the clean-system rule protects you twice: it lowers the chance of a comeback, and it keeps the warranty valid if the compressor does fail. When you order, ask for the warranty terms in writing and confirm what the supplier requires after installation — flushing and evacuation are almost always on that list.
Is the Clutch Included, and What Else Should Ship?
The clutch is a common point of confusion. Some listings sell the compressor body only, and the technician must reuse the clutch from the old unit or buy it separately. Others include the clutch as part of the compressor assembly. For the 38810-RNA-014 / 38810-RNA-024 application, confirm before you order whether the clutch, the clutch pulley, and any mounting bolts ship with the compressor. A worn clutch is a frequent cause of weak A/C that is not the compressor’s fault, so reusing an old clutch on a new compressor can leave a customer with a complaint you will have to chase.
The rest of the box matters too. Ask whether the compressor ships with the O-rings for the port connections and whether the clutch electrical connector is part of the harness you need. These small items decide whether the technician can finish the job with the parts on hand or has to stop and order again. A supplier that states exactly what is included — compressor body, clutch, pulley, seals, or the absence of each — makes the job predictable.
If you are comparing multiple units, write the inclusion list into your quote. The cheapest price per unit is rarely the cheapest job when the clutch, seals, and the bench-test record have to be bought separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the 38810-RNA-014 compressor fits my Accord?
Match three identifiers: the OE number on your old compressor (38810-RNA-014 or 38810-RNA-024), the VIN of the car, and the model year plus engine size. Send the supplier the VIN and a photo of the old label, and they can confirm the exact variant before shipment. If the old number is unreadable, use the engine size and model year as the minimum starting point.
Does my Accord use R134a or R1234yf?
Check the A/C label under the hood — it states the refrigerant type and the oil charge. Most Accords with this compressor family use R134a, but newer production years in some markets use R1234yf. The refrigerant must match the compressor and the oil, so verify the label before ordering and confirm the supplier’s unit is built for the same refrigerant.
What oil does the 38810-RNA-014 compressor take?
The exact oil type and charge are set by the vehicle application and are stated on the A/C label and in the application data — PAG-type oil is typical for these systems. Confirm whether the supplier ships the compressor pre-charged with oil or dry, and match the oil spec to your customer’s model rather than guessing.
Is the clutch included with the compressor?
It depends on the listing. Some units ship as a compressor body only and reuse the old clutch; others include the clutch and pulley. Ask before you order and write the inclusion list into your quote, because reusing a worn clutch can cause a weak-A/C comeback that the compressor did not cause.
Will a failed compressor contaminate the new one?
Yes, if the system is not cleaned. Compressor failures shed debris and old oil into the lines, condenser, and evaporator. Flush the system, replace or clean the receiver-drier, and evacuate with a vacuum pump before charging. Most warranties exclude contamination-related failures, so a clean system also protects your claim.
Get a Fitment-Confirmed Quote
Before you order a 38810-RNA-014 or 38810-RNA-024 Honda Accord A/C compressor, close the loop the way a careful buyer does: submit your VIN, a photo of the old-part label or the OE number, the model year, the quantity you need, and your destination port. The supplier will confirm the fitment — refrigerant, pulley and port interface, oil arrangement, and clutch inclusion — before you pay. That confirmation turns a part number into a working install, and it is the standard a shop or wholesale buyer should expect on every order.
References
- Mopar A/C Compressor Application Guide (03-2016) — application and OE cross-reference notes for A/C compressors: moparrepairconnect.ca A/C Compressor Application Guide
- Highgate Air product catalogue — compressor application and refrigerant data: highgateair.com.au compressor catalogue
- Honda OEM parts reference for A/C compressors: hondapartsnow.com OEM A/C compressor
