RumblyXT

By the way, if you guys ever have to do this job, be advised that even though the Subaru FSM states to remove the plastic cover that's around the evaporator pipes first, then the evaporator pipes, there's just absolutely no way this can be done, as the sturdy plastic cover which surrounds the pipes attaches to another plasctic housing which surrounds the EV with three screws which are facing the firewall. You first would have to remove the Expansion Valve, then loosen the pipes from the Evaporator, then the pipes along with the the whole plastic cover come out, and then you can finally remove the plastic cover around the EV once off the car. I was braking my head on how to do this till I finally gave up and puled the whole thing, later realizing those three plastic cover screws were impossible to remove because they're facing the fire wall as shown by the red arrows.

Ok, I have to check, but I think the desiccant pipe nut is marked as torqued, so that probably means it's already got a pack in there. I'm also going to flush all the lines/pipes with the solvent and shop air to make sure any dirt particles from the old compressor that might be lingering are rid of. One of the EV T25 socket bolt got stripped when I was trying to remove it (it's seized from rust in the threads.. I have to figure a way to get it out, left it soaking in penetrant overnight. By the looks of it, I don't think it's ever been removed in 220K miles, pretty amazing/reliable for an almost 20 year old A/C system. It's very similar to this one, look like NAPA may have them. .

Oh hey, I almost forgot. Do new Condensers come with a new secant pack in the side tube or I have to order a new one?

I was wondering if the home improvement stores had that. Awesome, thank you! Now I just gotta find those EV bolts.. I’ll check there as well. If not I think Bolt Depot might have them, I just have to take its measurements to make sure I order the correct size. It’s gotta be precise or the EV won’t seal correctly and freon may leak.

Does anybody know the p/n for the HVAC expansion valve bolts or maybe its size (it retain the EV from the engine side onto the pipes which go to the evaporator). I have looked on a few sites but can't find the number.. Also, if anyone could recommend where to get the Blower Case Seal sponge gasket. It's old, dried and brittle.. but the Subaru p/n has been discontinued. Maybe an alternate one/something similar could work. It's just a long piece of foam with tape on the bottom really, just don't know where to order something like this.

Yes, I sold the car to my brother in law, but I promised him I’d fix the A/C for him. During the cooler months it was ok, but with summer here, it’s almost unbearable driving a car without A/C in Miami..

So, I finally gathered up the courage to start working on replacing all the main A/C components.. Removing the top nut of the blower was a bitch, I almost became a contortionist trying to remove the top screw of the upper actuator, it was very difficult to get to also. And finally the evaporator cover Subaru made the access to the front bolts almost unreachable.. but I got everything out. I had to remove part of the foam and move the wire harness out of the way to be able to get to some bolts. Had to stop though, it was 34C outside, which really felt like almost 40C. One of the expansion valve bolts was stripped and two of the condenser bolts broke off (all were rusted). All good though since it will be getting all new components/hardware.. took plenty of pics to remember where everything goes.. Felt like good progress for today..

Indeed.. please sign the petition to bring it to the states: https://chng.it/pyMBzWmTsn

The car looks phenomenal with the right wheels and this color is dope! I really like the swede Recaro bucket seats. The tS trim probably also brings the STi steering wheel and short shifter. Here’s a petition to bring it to the U.S. https://chng.it/pyMBzWmTsn

Wow.. that's nutz.. Look like the manual WRX Sport wagon in Mexico will cost around $48,000, still pretty steep for the U.S., but dang, Subaru better bring that car to the U.S. market next year. https://www.motor1.com/news/718624/subaru-wrx-sportwagon-mexico/

Been there too, I know how it feels having installed so many components, then something doesn't work lol Glad you were able to figured it out..

I’m not sure if those numbers are wrong.. but even for the U.S., that is way too much $$ for a WRX wagon. The current WRX base msrp starts at around $32,735.

Really hoping Subaru brings this to the states. I think the spokesperson said something like 899,900 Mexican pesos which is something like $53,195.. that can’t be.. Seems like Subaru just brought the Levorg with STi options to Mexico but with the 2.4L power-plant of the American WRX. Nice! They’re saying it will be released this weekend..

I’m telling you..

Wait.. What? Mexico is getting a WRX wagon but we aren't? I'd trade my '23 Forester Premium for one of these in a heart beat!

I read it has increased displacement and a broader torque curve (2,000 - 5,200 rpm).. it accelerates very nicely.

Yup.. I'm not too fond of the big Tesla iPad either.. and this one being the Premium model, the actual size of the screen is a bit smaller. All HVAC controllers are digital, no bueno. I much rather have the click click analog knobs. The touch screen is used in other cars to service the rear brakes, which navigating the menus, letting you to release the rear electronic parking piston adjacent to the caliper. However Subaru didn't allow this, forcing you to take it back to the dealer for service. I hear people found a way around it using a code reader.

Took the Forester for its first service today. While there, I tested a ‘24 WRX for a quick spin. I was very tempted to trade the Forester, but I’ve really gotten used to how confortable, practical and taller it is.. I hadn’t driven a manual since I had the S2K back in ‘07, felt great to truly drive again. The WRX seems like a lot of fun!

Taking a second look at these videos I counted approximately 45-50 clutches if not more, not including all the snap rings, bearings, gears, pins, etc.. It would probably take close to a year of experience working on these before eventually feeling comfortable to overhauling one.. Not that it isn't not doable, but it's better just to leave it for the people that are doing these all day long, not worth damaging parts/components. But it's really interesting and rather fascinating how everything just fits together in there, working in unison. Transmissions are a true marble of engineering.

Indeed! A lot of gears, clutches, seals and components in general that have to seat perfectly otherwise something can get jammed and the whole thing gets all mangled up lol. I’ll admit it looks intimidating at first, but I think it’s like everything, once you work on enough of them, it becomes second nature. Didn’t see him using/requiring too many specialty tools either, except for that Vice contraption on the video. I find it interesting how the valve body, solenoids and all the wires and all electrical components work totally submerged in ATF without issues. Anyways, I’m sure many here have seen plenty of these already, but I just hadn’t seen such well documented videos before. Once you get into knowing/rebuilding the transmissions on these cars, you’ve basically know how to take overhaul these cars completely.

If you think rebuilding an engine can sometimes get complicated, take a look at the amount of parts and components which all have to line up perfectly for a transmission to function properly. Pretty amazing what engineers can come up with. Very cool video! The Teardown: And the rebuild.. And a very important tip for the Torque Converter.. The previous videos were great for tear down and reassembly; however, this guy goes over the names and general functions of all the components, very good video for a brief understanding of each component.. Speedkar99 (the toothbrush mechanic) really knows his stuff.

I wish this guy worked on Subies more. He's imo the best Toyota/Lexus true mechanic on the YouTube universe.

Yeah it happens dude.. I had to remove the I/M after I had it already installed due to not having the fuel lines clamps bolts flipped around so they could later be retighten if need be from up top. From factory, I think the heads of the bolt come facing down toward the long block. A whole engine refresh is a big job, takes a lot of steps and small important details to make sure are done right. Regardless of how many times we've been there, it's probably good practice to have the steps written down in sections on a board and having them checked as they're completed.

Good progress!

That’s actually my favorite gen WRX, 2006-2007 Hawkeyes. But honestly what I’ve always wanted to do is a GD WRX swap into a 1st gen Forester. Very practical and the 4EAT transmission is a tank! However, I’d need a whole WRX donor car for that to swap everything into it.. I think the GD platform is great, quite reliable and there’s plenty of aftermarket parts for it as it was for the Honda Civic in that era.. Their only downfall of course is the infamous H/G issue on the NAs. Slap a MLS H/G on them and they’ll last forever.