MaStaMooN Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Got in my car today to find that the AC doesnt work at all. Controls work, the AC Pump (whatever its called) turns on (I hear a click anyway in the engine bay) but just hot air pumps out.. really hot air. So I did a quick search here and found out that most AC problems here were caused by a punctured condenser and went to take a look. I think im the latest victim.. What do you guys think? Driverside: http://www.mastamoon.com/lgt/AC/IMG_1585.JPG Passenger Side: http://www.mastamoon.com/lgt/AC/IMG_1586.JPG http://www.mastamoon.com/lgt/AC/IMG_1587.JPG http://www.mastamoon.com/lgt/AC/IMG_1588.JPG Notice the driverside looks dry and 'clean' vs. the passengerside that looks oily or something. So does this look like a broken condenser or what? What really sucks is I just saved up 600 bucks in Subaru Bucks that ill probably end up having to use to get this fixed. Sucks ass but i guess is better than paying out cash. I think im gonna try n put some sort of mesh down there.. something fairly open but might just deflect or take the brunt of a rock hit. Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 If you had a hole in the condensor, the refregerant would be low and the compressor would not turn on. It is possible that you have a small leak and the pressure hasn't dopped enough, but that is not likely (the system needs 18 psi or so of pressure to turn on and a leak will not hold that pressure). Odds are that the expansion valve is damaged or the drier is ruined. Very easy for a dealer to diagnose. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 The oily residue you are seeing is likely compressor oil, the good news is that I don't see any punctures from road debris...it might just be covered under warranty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Yeah... that looks a little suspicious. That could be PAG oil from the refrigerant loop.... but as Rob said... your compressor shouldn't turn on if you are low on freon. There is a pressure switch in the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 If it's a small leak could be enough pressure to turn it on but not enough coolant do actually do anything. When I serviced the AC in my honda only something like 1/8th charge of coolant was enough for the pressure switch.. I suppose it's like our oil pressure switch, garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 I 'think' I hear my compressor going on... There is a noticable click that happens in the engine bay when I press the AC button. In any case, I really wish I hadnt just installed a catback on my car.. now im paranoid that the dealer monkeys will want to take a couple "road tests" to see whats wrong with the AC. Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Made an appointment for tomorrow morning at Precision Tuning to take a look. If it turns out to be a big ticket item under warranty ill take it to a stealership. Id rather pay a few bucks more and have some trustworthy people look at it than get a free "bend over n take it". Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Where are you located... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Central NJ Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 hopfully its covered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 Welp, Precision Tuning says its the Condensor alright.. but cannot find any signs of physical damage on the unit itself. Told me it should be covered under warranty. Im waiting for a call back to tell me how much it would be to replace with them just in case. Dont know if its worth my time/effort to go bring it to Subaru for them to probably say its been damaged and deny it being covered under warranty. Only to have to bring it back to Precision to have it fixed anyhow. Anybody know what the unit cost on the condensor is? Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Dealer shouldn't charge you to diagnose the problem, especially if it ends up being warranty, in which case they should fix it. My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'll guess a new condenser would run $600 +, depending on installation and the cost of freon. It was in this neighborhood for a Toyota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFish Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 YEAH your probably lookin at around $800 with freon and labor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Cars don't have freon in them My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I couldn't remember what the replacement is now called. CFC free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 R134A.... and alot of people still call it Freon.... Freon is a Dupont trade name... If you buy a can it will be labeled as "Refrigerant R134A" ... but Dupont's name for the R134A is "Suva". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 R134A.... and alot of people still call it Freon.... Freon is a Dupont trade name... If you buy a can it will be labeled as "Refrigerant R134A" ... but Dupont's name for the R134A is "Suva". yeah when ppl call it freon it urks me the wrong way cause it isnt freon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 14, 2006 Author Share Posted July 14, 2006 Update... I havent gone to Subaru yet even though its 90+ degrees here today and should be for the next couple days. I just dont have the time right now to give up my car for a day or more. Precision gave me a price to do everything.. little over 600 bucks, Condensor is 340, 125 ish to install and the rest is charging the system. Not bad and im sure a lot better than what Subaru will charge if its not covered. Hopefully ill get to take a day off next week n bring it in to Subaru and see what they say. Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Do let us know whether Subaru provides warranty coverage. This could be a gray area between a faulty condenser versus an arguement that somehow you created the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Finally going in Wednesday to have this looked at. Right in the middle of another heatwave!!! 110+ degrees here by Wednesday... Fun Fun Fun Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 Well, they found a spot where a rock hit it... The guy said the "sniffer" couldnt even find it, thats how small the hole was.. but after putting dye in, it lit up like a xmas tree. Cost to fix, 730... luckly I have/had $700 subaru bucks in hand so it will only cost me 30 bucks to get fixed. I hate to spend it on this, but its better than paying outta pocket. Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Be cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Has anyone retrofitted some kind of mesh screen over that opening below the bumper to protect the condensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Well, they found a spot where a rock hit it... The guy said the "sniffer" couldnt even find it, thats how small the hole was.. but after putting dye in, it lit up like a xmas tree.The sniffer is supposed to find leaks so small dye isn't enough.. *shrug* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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