Ask the Car People.SM


Subaru Forester Air Conditioning Problems

55 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2013 at 3:29 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester

Messages Page 5 of 6

#35 of 55 98 Subaru Forester AC problem by dahs10

Jul 25, 2011 (8:42 am)

I had another problem with my a/c this summer. When I would drive on the interstate with the a/c on and then get off, the car would overheat. I just had the head gasket replaced 18 months ago so I didn't think it was that again. I took it to an awesome mechanic and discovered the connection to the second fan was not working properly. He fixed that at minimal cost and now it works perfectly.

#36 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [mjb59] by aatherton

Jul 26, 2011 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: mjb59 (Jul 25, 2011 7:34 am)
"The AC on my 2009 Forester (58,000 miles) quit working. The compressor makes a lot of noise (rattles) when the AC is turned on. I took it to the dealer and was told I had a clog in the system. They said the rattle was due to the compressor pulling vacuum on the low side and that pressure on the high side was over 200 lbs. I was told there was no way to find the clog and the only sure way to fix it was to replace all components in the system. Total cost around $3,000."
This does not sound right. In 5 decades of car ownership I have not heard of a "clog" in the AC system. Also, being unable to find the problem, and needing to replace the whole system, and the cost of $3,000, all sound wrong. It is well worth seeking a second opinion from another dealer or a good independent shop.

#37 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [aatherton] by ateixeira

Jul 26, 2011 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Jul 26, 2011 12:50 pm)
I can imagine debris causing a clog, but the price sure does sound high.
 
Funny thing is they usually leak...

#38 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [ateixeira] by aatherton

Jul 27, 2011 (4:47 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 26, 2011 1:06 pm)
Over the years on various cars we have had such problems as a plugged evaporator drain, intermittent cooling, minor refrigerant leaks, an untended leak where loss of refrigerant and its lubricating properties ruined the compressor, and a couple of failed compressor clutches. But no clogs.

#39 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [aatherton] by ateixeira

Jul 27, 2011 (8:16 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Jul 27, 2011 4:47 am)
I had a leaky compressor on a '91 Ford Escort GT.
 
I was mad because the A/C was a $460 option, but fixing it cost $700 at the time. And I had just serviced the A/C the year before.
 
The shop gave me a break and didn't charge me for the freon the 2nd time.

#40 of 55 Re: 98 Subaru Forester AC problem [dahs10] by cydennis

Aug 05, 2011 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: dahs10 (Jul 25, 2011 8:42 am)
Hello, my Forester is doing the exact same thing and dealer recommends head gasket replacement. Can you tell me exactly what second fan connection was not working properly on your car? What is the "second fan" and where is it located? Thanks very much - you might save me a ton of money!

#41 of 55 Re: 98 Subaru Forester AC problem [cydennis] by dahs10

Aug 08, 2011 (4:30 am)

Replying to: cydennis (Aug 05, 2011 7:19 pm)
The second fan is located on the passenger side of the car at the very front right behind the headlight. Good luck

#42 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [mjb59] by vasubaru12

Aug 09, 2011 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: mjb59 (Jul 25, 2011 7:34 am)
My AC in my 2009 Forester started blowing hot air about a year after I bought it (bought it in July 2008). I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find a leak but did replace what they called a Shrader valve on it and they put more freon in it and it worked pretty good for 2 years. Now I have about 72,000 miles on the car and it stopped working at the beginning of the summer. Didn't take it to the dealer because it wasn't under warranty. Took it to another garage and they said that my compressor made a lot of noise and the pressure was off on it and they quoted me about $700 to replace the compressor. I actually found a used one and had another garage put it on and paid about $400 total. It worked for about a week and half and now all the freon is leaked out again. The garage that put the compressor in thinks it is something else. I believe this all stemmed from the first time I took it to the dealer. I think they give you outrageous prices I know that when I talked with them about the compressor they said it would be between $1200 and $2000 to fix it. I am emailing Subaru because I keep being told by mechanics that this should not be happening on this new of a car.

#43 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [vasubaru12] by baires60

Aug 10, 2011 (5:55 am)

Replying to: vasubaru12 (Aug 09, 2011 1:07 pm)
WOW that is a new car practically, my car 2010 subaru forester had a problem and blew hot air at the beginning of the summer - I took it to the dealer and they said they found a leak and replaced the evaporator? Whatever it was, they needed to wait for a part to fix it. It works great now but after hearing your story I am waiting to see what happens in a couple of years, I got the extended warranty so I guess if it does happen again I am covered either way - well as long as it's not over 70K or 7 years old. I don't like it when things that major already go out within the first 15 months of a car's life.

#44 of 55 Re: 2006 Subaru Forester air conditioner problem [nbg2] by arcana1

Aug 11, 2011 (11:52 am)

Replying to: nbg2 (Jul 05, 2011 6:39 am)
I had the same problem but had it fixed at the dealer yesterday. The mechanic told me it was rust on the clutch plate.. He showed me what he did. You move the fluid bottle out off the way, then remove the cover plate that protects the belt.
Here is the best part, you spray WD-40 or similar onto the clutch plate and in between the compressor and clutch plate.
Put the cover plate and bottle back in place.
Worked like a charm
Another dealer quoted $1500. for the fix. this dealer charged their minimum 1 hour labour but anyone with a socket set could do it themselves.

Messages Page 5 of 6

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement