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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 6 of 7

#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.

#45 of 55 Re: 2009 Forester AC problem [vasubaru12] by rogerh1

Dec 26, 2011 (8:02 am)

Replying to: vasubaru12 (Aug 09, 2011 1:07 pm)
Hi,
 
My 2009 Subaru Forrester is having related problems - whenever I turn on the front window defrost, fuse #22 blows. I took it to the dealer and they told me I need to replace the compressor, cost = $1000.
Seems like too young of a car to have this kind of issue.
buummer

#46 of 55 A/C Problem on 2004 Forester by techmarcom

May 17, 2012 (12:35 pm)

I have a 2004 Forester with 146k miles. The AC words at the start, but after running for about 15-45 minutes, the air stops being cold. If I turn it off for about 5-10 minutes, I can turn it on and have cold air again.
 
Just got it recharged the other day, but noticed the problem again this afternoon.
 
Anyone else experience this? Any ideas? I'm not about to sink $300 into an AC repair with this many miles.

#47 of 55 Re: A/C Problem on 2004 Forester [techmarcom] by aatherton

May 17, 2012 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: techmarcom (May 17, 2012 12:35 pm)
Perhaps the refrigerant is leaking out of a bad seal. Low refrigerant can cause intermittent cooling as the compressor loses and regains suction. And maybe turning off the AC for awhile can allow what refrigerant is left to drain back to the compressor.

#48 of 55 Re: A/C Problem on 2004 Forester [techmarcom] by quark613

Jun 16, 2012 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: techmarcom (May 17, 2012 12:35 pm)
See my previous posts #14, 16 and 25 - this sounds an awful lot like what was happening to me. Turned out to be the a/c clutch - replaced in 2010 and haven't had a lick of trouble since.

#49 of 55 2006 A/C by nanasara

Jun 24, 2012 (8:16 pm)

I have a 2006 Forrester with well over 100,000 miles. Car still runs great, but the A/C only blows on auto setting. Air is cool, but not as cold as we would like and takes a long time to cool passengers in the back seat. Last summer was so hot here in Texas and it was almost unbearable. Any idea what the problem could be? What could make it only work on auto setting?

#50 of 55 2011 Subaru Forester AC noise by chawkfan71

Jul 30, 2012 (7:26 pm)

I own a 2011 Forester with 10,000 miles. Since day one of running my AC the compressor makes a chirping noise when it releases. The faster the speed the louder it gets. I have taken it in to be serviced two times and I keep getting told that this is a normal noise for this model. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem??? I have been in other Foresters and didn't hear this noise.

#51 of 55 Re: 2011 Subaru Forester AC noise [chawkfan71] by xwesx

Jul 31, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: chawkfan71 (Jul 30, 2012 7:26 pm)
I've never heard a chirp in mine. I have a 2010 Forester.

Messages Page 6 of 7

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