Just repaired my AC thanks to you!!! Thank you for a clear video. Appreciate the work you did

Perfect educational channel. Great video.

2014 Forester with 55K miles, now out of warranty. AC started to cut out on a long trip. Then began to do it more and more often. Went to the dealer with this TSB from this video. They did their diagnostics and confirmed the need for a new compressor/clutch assembly under this TSB. Quoted price $1200! I asked for some accommodation considering this was a know issue since way back and they were just waiting for them to fail. I suggested that they could at least do the work at cost and not profit from Subaru's faulty engineering. They got back to me in 20 minutes and agreed to do the job for $600. I consider this a reasonable outcome. Good luck everyone. Thanks for the helpful video and comments.

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

That great that your dealership was understanding and willing to work with you on pricing.

@roadlesstraveledd

4 жыл бұрын

that's a good deal, my 2014 forester now has the same issue but I have much more mileage @ 157k miles.

@8gomerpyle22

11 ай бұрын

Scam bam thank you mam.

This AC Compressor set up looks identical to my 2012 Subaru Impreza. I'm not much of a "do it yourselfer" but when a shop will charge $800 for parts and repair I have no choice. Bought a recycled compressor for $90; giving this a shot this afternoon. This video helped me feel more confident in the process for sure.

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Are you having a shop recover the Freon? Many shops will recover for free/cheap and then let you do you repair and then recharge for the normal rate (79-129). This makes it safer for you to work in and protects the environment. If you system is already empty then you are ready to get your hands dirty.

@natezier7481

5 жыл бұрын

I actually work at a Career & Technical Education Center (as a counselor) so I have access to a recovery system to safely perform this part as well. While I plan on doing the work myself, I'm fortunate to have access to quality facilities and tools (and instructor knowledge) to make the repair process easier.

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

NATE ZIER excellent!! It looks like you have all the proper equipment.

@bbexy

5 жыл бұрын

Really?! WOW!

@natezier7481

5 жыл бұрын

@@bbexy It was actually pretty easy! Only like 8 bolts involved in the whole process. As long as you can safely evac and charge the system you're good to go.

Quick and easy , thanks

thank you broski

Does that process work the same way for a 2016 outback?

My 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek at 154K miles, when it is very hot AC Compressor refuses to work. ( Thank you for the video!

Hi I am curious, my AC just gave out on my Crosstrek at 84,000 or so miles. They diagnosed as a leaky AC compressor. Would this TSB possibly be the cause of this? Or does clutch failure cause other issues? It seems 84k miles was early for a compressor, my 1997 Toyota's compressor lasted 20 year.

Thank you for this video. You saved me a lot of money!

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

No problem.

How much oil should be in the compressor?

I'm having this same issue on my 2016 Forester which is no longer under warranty. I'm able to replace the compressor myself except of course for the evac & fill of the a/c system. Can I go to a shop, get the system evac'd, drive home and replace the compressor and then drive back to the shop to get it filled without harming anything?

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

That is a perfect idea. At our shop we will charge the customer for the whole service on the first visit and when they get the damaged component replace we vacuum it down and then fill it at no additional charge unless there is more issues.

Can I just replace the clutch?

Where do you drain and add oil? There is one downward facing large bolt on the bottom back of the compressor? Is that where I drain and fill?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

You may get some from there and you may have to turn the compressor upside down and turn the clutch to pump out any more oil. You can fill from the suction port just make sure you turn the compressor over by hand a 5-10 times before starting and operating the A/C.

Would it be worth changing the clutch then to change the whole compressor?

I have a 2014 Impreza. The a/c compressor wheel suddenly stops rotating while the belt around it is moving. The sound from the engine is suddenly loud when the wheel on the compressor starts rotating. Help!

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

depending on the compressor it is normal for the compressor clutch to disengage once the inside temp drops a certain amount or when the pressures reach a certain threshold. it shouldn't make a loud screech when reengaging. This could be caused by a loose or worn belt.

My clutch studders and I lose ac after about 20 mins. Is there anything I can do to the current one to try and make this not happen. Thanks for the video!

@jameswoods6882

11 ай бұрын

I’m not a mechanic but I’m experiencing the same problem with my 2014 Subaru cross trek. I asked my mechanic about it and he said that that happens with my model year. Over time the ac compressor starts to overheat so it disengages the clutch. I think the only way to fix it is to replace it unfortunately.

How come you dont have to replace the condenser and orifice tube as well. from what I've been reading, if you dont you run the risk of ruining your new pump from metal fragments left from when the old pump went kaput . I'm hoping your gonna say whatever it is that ruins the first pump doesnt contaminate the 'freon' with said fragments and in this case.. you dont have to change your condenser/orifice tube. It's hard enough to even see the condenser. . Let alone try to swap it for a new one. Thanks for the help!!

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Jamie Halifax this compressor failure was only in the electric clutch that engages the compressor. The compressor luckily did not fail internally. I have seen them fail both ways and if the old compressor is noisy or if metal is noticed in the line upon removal then a condenser is required.

My 2014 crosstrek's A/C compressor still work fine, but its sound is so loud.

I have a 2014 Subaru Forester Limited that we just experienced this year. Had it recharged to proper levels ($140) and now just found Technical Service Bulletin 10-84-16R.

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

Your compressor may still be good but if you are still experiencing intermittent air conditioning operation then the compressor may need to be replaced. Was the service performed at the dealership? If it was and you find out that you need an new compressor then you might be able to get them to do the evacuate and recharge for free next time.

@robertweber3140

6 жыл бұрын

Took it to an independent shop that is an authorized and certified to work on Subaru's. Just got off the phone and was informed the TSB states to replace the entire compressor/clutch assembly. $850 just for parts. What gets me is this is a design related issue as the windings were not sufficient to engage the clutch.

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

I’m also surprised that Subaru didn’t produce an updated clutch coil assembly as a cost effective fix for the compressor instead of replacing the entire assembly. When I was sourcing parts for the one in the video several of the aftermarket suppliers had no listing for this compressor.

@robertweber3140

6 жыл бұрын

ThePracticalMechanic, but this way they can charge more because they figure their owners can afford it. I'm reaching out to SOA customer service about this.

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

Hopefully they will help you out.

I believe i have this issue. Does it sound like an old timing belt quietly squealing when the AC clicks on? My mechanic noticed this squealing recently and tried hitting it with some oil to get rid of the squeel. He thought the magnetic plates weren't making correct contact and that maybe removing a shim may help out. Does that sound right or is the whole unit just a bad design and un-fixable? My mechanic doesn't normally work on subaru vehicles so I wouldn't blame him for not knowing about this issue right away.

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Tom McIntosh these compressors normally don’t need to be reshimmed even though they may have shims from the factory. The TSB listed is an issue that prevent the coil from producing a strong enough magnetic field to pull in the clutch. It is possible that you clutch is trying to engage but the coil doesn’t have enough power to lock it up. There could also be an internal compressor issue causing the squeak or causing excessive drag on the clutch. Your mechanic could try reshimming the clutch and see if it changes but you may need a replacement. The 10mm bolt in the center of the clutch hold the clutch onto the compressor shaft and if the bolt is removed the clutch can be removed and there may be a shim or two on the end of the shaft. A thinner shin stack could be installed to check for improvement.

@tommcintosh6006

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the response. I suppose it won't hurt too much to try the shimming process first. Won't be too expensive compared to buying a new unit. I'll let you know how it goes.

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Tom McIntosh Great thanks. Also what year and model is your Subaru?

@tommcintosh6006

5 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic 2014 Forester, Standard Transmission.

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Tom McIntosh great, thanks. I like to keep info in my notes for future reference. Let us know if reshimming helps. Have a great Monday.

does the compressor in the link come pre filled with oil?

@ThePracticalMechanic

3 жыл бұрын

I’ve received some with oil and some without. If they have oil there will be a sticker or information that comes with the compressor stating how much oil has been installed. Normally they have 2 Oz oil precharged in the compressor.

Hello! First off-great vid, very detailed and inspiring! Will that same compressor work in my 2013 Subaru Crosstrek? Thanks in advanced, Mike

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Michael Arsiniega according the application guide the compressor will work on a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek

Hi, I have a Subaru Impreza Ltd 2014, when a turn on the AC compressor makes a noise, like a wind up toy but louder, I went with a AC technician, but he said that is the compressor and I have to change it, and the condenser too :( How I can discard if it's just the pulley or clutch? I don't want change all the system (it's a lot of money for me) if the reason is something simple, thanks a lot

@ThePracticalMechanic

3 жыл бұрын

r2ropatrak if it’s an internal compressor issue it could have sent contaminates into the condenser. The condenser tubes are too small to flush out so the contaminates could damage the new compressor. Did the technician recover,recycle and recharge the system to the correct level? Sometimes a overcharged or undercharged system will make noise.

@r2ropatrak

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic hi! Thanks for your response, excuse me for my English, I don't speak it very well, the technician just made a visual inspection, he didn't disassemble anything or any test, he said that the noise must be the compressor damaged, he explained me about the condenser tubes and dirt particles :( I would like isolate if the noise is caused by the compressor (damaged) or the clutch/pulley, regards

Ok so im having a problem with my impreza. And been trying to find something similar. This sounds internal but not this makes me think my problem is just the bearing.

Did this also require a condensor/drier replacement?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

Most compressor warranties require replacement of the dryer and condenser but if the clutch is the only thing that failed then there shouldn’t be any debris or moisture in the system until it’s opened up.

@roadlesstraveledd

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic thanks, but by removing the lines to the compressor as in your video, didn't this "open" it up?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

Road Less Traveled the relative humidity in my area is typically less than 15% and the lines are only disconnected for a few minutes. If I have one apart for a few days I seal off the lines and I pull an extended vacuum on the system to boil off an moisture. This compressor was from the dealer and they didn’t have any warranty requirements for the condenser or dryer to be replaced at the same time.

@roadlesstraveledd

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic got it thanks, i plan on doing this job myself since im out of warranty @ over 150k miles

Did anyone check the compressor clutch?

@mikeocksthrobbin9404

Жыл бұрын

Probably not. I just had my a/c stop working on my 2013 Impreza. The clutch wasn’t engaging. I bought a junkyard compressor for $65 and a set of feeler gauges. I swapped the electromagnet and had to play around with the shims to get the correct gap between the clutch and pulley face. It worked and I didn’t have to mess around with evacuating refrigerant and recharging the system.

Hi. Why did you replace the device, what were the symptoms?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

Vi Rom intermittent no ac clutch operation when hot. After the vehicle would be driven for 30+ minutes the clutch would still have power going to it but would not engage.

@virom956

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic is it electromagnetic clutch, then the only this part can be replaced but not the whole compressor?

@virom956

4 жыл бұрын

What does odometer show at a time of ac replacement?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

Vi Rom the TSB from Subaru recommended replacing the entire compressor for the updated coil and clutch assemble so it may be that the updated parts cannot be installed onto the early design compressor. Many compressor front seals will fail also because as the clutch windings weakens, the clutch can start to slip and generate excessive heat that damages the seal or other internal components.

@virom956

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic ok. How long life distance covered till this replacement?

What is the exact 134a ref. charge on 2014 Crosstrek?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

There should be a refrigerant sticker under the hood that include these details. My system shows 500 grams. If your sticker is missing it may be best to order a new by vin so the capacity is accurately displayed.

@royphillips9584

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic Thank you

@royphillips9584

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic Hello its has two Hfc-134a, 16-18 oz which one should i use?

@ThePracticalMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

Roy Phillips the refrigerant is the r134a and the quantity for the charge is going to be between 16-18 oz. I typically charge to the high amount which would be the 18oz.

@royphillips9584

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic Thank you

My 2015 Outback compressor failed at 107k miles. Ridiculous.

No matter what goes wrong with the a/c system the dealer will always diagnose it as a compressor replacement. How do they even sleep at night?

👍👍

How do I know if I need to add oil?

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Stop Asking to Use My Real Name typically if there is a oil charge in the new compressor there will be a sticker on the compressor or on the box. If there is identifying label then you may have to add oil. These systems hold very little oil and there will still be oil trapped in the evaporator, condenser and dryer. If you are replacing the entire system or are flushing out the evaporator and condenser then you can add the entire amount of oil charge to the system. To get back to your original question if you can’t tell if it was precharged then you can sometimes find a drain at the bottom of the compressor or flip the compressor upside down and rotate the center part of the clutch until no more oil drains out. Then you can add correct oil back in.

@OrganGrindersSwing

5 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic What is the correct amount of oil for this compressor? Mine came filled with a little under 2 oz. I can't seem to find the specs. Should I just measure the oil from the old compressor and add the same amount to the new one?

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

Are you replacing just the compressor or are replacing the compressor and condenser. If replacing just the compressor I would see how much oil comes out of the old one and then match that amount to the new one. If no oil comes out of the old one then I would still run the two ounces of oil that came in the new one.

@OrganGrindersSwing

5 жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic Yes, just the compressor is being replaced. The new compressor says 80 cm3 of oil on the sticker, which is 2.7 fl oz. I'll see how much comes out of the old one and go from there. Thanks for the reply.

Could you give me an idea of the cost of this compressor replacement if I took it to a dealership? I have a 2015 Crosstrek and the AC does not kick on. Pretty sure it’s the compressor.

@SJ-oxy

3 жыл бұрын

According to Subaru, replacing the compressor is a 0.5 hour job (reference the service bulletin). I'd be amazed if that is all they charged you.

How did you determine what went wrong? My ac, in the same type of vehicle just went out, with an odd bandaid smell for about a week beforehand.

@ThePracticalMechanic

Жыл бұрын

It was an intermittent issue where the clutch won’t engage but power is present at the connector. The resistance of the compressor clutch coil is too high and the magnetism to weak at times often related to cycling and temperature.

@8gomerpyle22

11 ай бұрын

Old bandaid smell? WTF.

What is the typical dealer labor time to change this?

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

The labor guide shows 1.0 hr to replace but this does not include evacuation and recharging the Freon that shows an additional 1.4 but most shops charge 0.5-1.0 for evacuation and recharge.

@robertweber3140

5 жыл бұрын

My dealer quoted me $380

My a/c compressor is loud any clue?

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

Mr.Quack Wack does it make the noise all the time or only when the air conditioning is running? A noisy compressor while the AC is on could be caused by a system that is overcharged, under charged, Internally damaged compressor, they damage belt or even a cooling fan that isn’t working. Although most the time when you have a noisy compressor it’s a internal problem with the compressor and it’s time for a replacement.

@Olibox2

6 жыл бұрын

ThePracticalMechanic only when turn on

@Olibox2

6 жыл бұрын

ThePracticalMechanic the compressor was replace 2days ago 😔😔

@ThePracticalMechanic

6 жыл бұрын

Did they replace just the compressor or the entire system? What’s the job done at the dealership or at an independent shop? If the system was just serviced with a new compressor then it could also be over filled with oil if the old oil was not removed from the system because some compressors come pre-filled with oil.There is also the chance of a defective compressor if everything was done properly during the replacement procedure.

@Olibox2

6 жыл бұрын

ThePracticalMechanic it was done at the dealership and the whole systeme was change.

Just stay away from Subaru. Rubbish.

Could you please learn how to make a KZread video. You first have to tell us a story about how you got to the car. Then ask to subscribe at least 12 times. Make sure you do at least seven product placements. And make sure videos are no shorter than 30 minutes with only 2 minutes of information. Just as an FYI for the future.

@Valamilk

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with Juan. I want to hear the story of how you “got to the car”. Did you walk to it? Did you drive?? How fast were you driving when you got to the car?? Was there traffic??? More details please!

I have a 2014 XV Crosstrek, with 85,000 miles. The compressor went out at 80,000; which falls over the warranty. Because this is a known issue, will the dealer cover the cost of the replacement? Thanks

@ThePracticalMechanic

5 жыл бұрын

I would call and ask your local dealer before you make an appointment. If they say no I would politely ask if there is anything you could do to see if it would be covered by Subaru of America. The dealers are more likely to try and help this way. 🤞🏼👍🏼

@jamiehalifax4954

5 жыл бұрын

Richard how did you make out at the dealer? I'm in the same boat as you

@bbexy

5 жыл бұрын

@Richard Kikuchi #Richard Kikuchi same here. I'm at around 90K+ miles. Bringing my car in tomorrow morning for service. The weather here in the NY/CT area has been VOLCANIC hot lol, 100 degree weather, so not much of a nice breeze to help cool you off while driving in the car. There is freon because the a/c is cold when I first start the car and drive. Then several minutes later there's no more cold air. I have to turn off the a/c for a minute or so then turn it back on and hope it works again.