Subaru AC Not Working (Easy Fix)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2023
- AC cold air stops working on my 2015 Subaru Forester, thankfully it's an easy fix. Same compressor design is found in Subaru Outback and Impreza.
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Dude look at all these people who you saved hundreds. You're like the car messiah. Thank you so much man.
Can we all just appreciate that this man one hand this operation to hold his phone and show us? Thank you sir, we appreciate the effort it took to film this for us.
This is unbelievable. I’m going on the fourth spring/summer with intermittent a/c in my Forester. My daughter hates riding with me. I finally broke down and took it in to have it looked at. They told me they couldn’t reproduce the issue, it could be the expansion valve, and gave me a $555 estimate. I watched this video, spent $29 on feeler gauges and a clutch tool, and I’ve been driving around in AIR CONDITIONING FOR A HALF HOUR! You, sir, are a hero!!!
Having seen your video, I took my car to a repair shop and requested they do this repair. The A/C tech there said they would not do that. They only replace parts. I said that had to be $300. He said it was way more than I would think. I bought the gauge, some picks, a magnet and the variable pin spinner wrench. Didn't need the picks. The O ring shims came off with the clutch. 10 minutes of work and done. Drove the car 430 miles over the following two days without a break in A/C. Thanks so much!
Thank you for saving me hundreds. I did it today. It took about 20 mins and now the car’s ac is running perfect.
Same problem here. I realized that the problem was on the clatch because sometimes when I was going down the hill the car was able to start the compressor and the cold air was coming up again. Thank you for this video. I took the car to numerous idiots that only want to take money from you for nothing. I think that I can do this myself. I will keep you posted
I just started having these issues on a 2014 Forester with right at 70k miles. Intermittent cold air, wet hot air, noisy ac clutch engagement, additional strain on the engine. Checked the relay and it was functional. The ac clutch was out of tolerance similar to the one in your video. Removing the thin spacer brought it back into spec. I was able to use the wrench for my angle grinder to hold the clutch in place. I also cleaned both surfaces before reassembly. It would appear that Subaru intentionally designed the ability to make this repair. AWESOME VIDEO! Saved me a ton of money!!!
You just happened to have the same vehicle as the one he is talking about
@@SncedayoneThat's because when we search for videos we use the year make and model in the search..lol
This fixed my ac in 5 minutes!! Thought I had to deal with a new compressor, amazing fix and tutorial! I used the same variable spanner wrench worked fine
Took literally 5 minutes to remove the bolt, clutch and shim then re assemble. A/C is now fixed and back in spec.
Mechanic was trying to quote me a new compressor $$$$, Thank you.
An informative video of removing and returning the clutch to the AC compressor at the very least. Good job and thank you.
Thanks for the video! My blower motor was dying, but I was also way outside tolerance. Fixed both today in about an hour. 95 degrees outside today, but my AC is working great now!
Thank you bro, Christian Bros quoted me $3400 to replace the damn thing, this worked, mine was making a terrible sound like you describe, after doing this and putting some coolant in I heard the noise vanish before me, it was a beautiful moment. God bless
Just another person checking in to say you likely saved me hundreds today. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you so much, I've never had an easier problem to solve. It's such a simple process.
Its sad to think about how many customers got sold new a/c compressors because of lazy mechanics.
You can check ac clutch function by pushing on a stopped one (with ac on)with a stick, if it spins air gap is worn too large. A common problem with a no parts fix.
Thank you for sharing this.
Praying for tomorrow 🙏 to fix mine
2014 Crosstrek - you are absolutely the best ❤ thanks so much for the video.
thank you!!! I did this 3 weeks ago and it works great. ICE COLD.
The clutch on my 2004 Subaru Forester wouldn't come off. The center bolt was easy enough to take off. But the clutch was royally stuck. Putting 3 screws couldn't push out. You used 2 holes out of 3 to hold the clutch. (I used visegrip to hold the clutch.) Those 3 holes used to have screw threads in older Subaru AC clutches. You could put in 3 bolts to push the clutch out. Since I couldn't take the clutch off, I just put pieces of cardboard under rubber grommets to reduce the gap. On your clutch, there are 3 stubby arms with holes that used to hold grommets. But I see that there are no grommets on yours. It's been a year since that impromptu-fix, it works fine. Except for one time, it wouldn't disengage. But it's been working fine again.
Thanks for letting us know about your older style clutch hack! Every dollar saved in these inflated times helps!
Thank you for making this video, definitely saved a lot of people money
Thank you so much for this video! Quick fix ! I was able to do this i the Auto Zone parking lot and loaned an ac clutch tool. 💪🏾🙏🏾
Same car, same problem, same fix, thanks so much.
Same problem here
XT 2015 uk
Now I’ve seen this …going to investigate.
Thanks for sharing 👍🏼
I’m going to check this out. My AC would make that noise too when starting it. I’m going to check the Relay first to be sure. The funny thing is though, my AC light blinks or is very dimming m at times but literally no cool air really, I don’t ever hear the AC kick on. Before I would have to hold the button in for the AC to work. I don’t noticed any leaks and has been recharged. Let’s hope this works. Love the video regardless, simple terms and well explained and not to fast either. I hope you got your kids their Ice Cream!! Awesome Dad!!
Thank you works great now I can hopefully get another ten years out of it without replacing
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2014 impreza wagon same exact issue
I’m going to try this tomorrow fingers crossed. 🤞
Nice man. Thanks for the information and sharing
Wow, finally someone figured it out., good job and thank you! Has your fix since this video held up fine in your forester or have you had to tune it or do any additional fixes?
Almost two years ago, I brought my new-to-me 2015 Forester (mines the 2.0xt) into my mechanic with the EXACT same issue, how you described it was exactly I described it to them, they ended up having my car for about 4 weeks off an on trying to diagnose, luckily (I guess) my car was under a used car warranty I purchased when I got the vehicle, so they ended up replacing essentially the whole system, it still put me out around $600 bucks with my deductible and such. Fast forward to this week and my car is at it again with this same issue, and I have only put maybe 9K miles on it since then, and even after they did the replacement I never had nice cold consistent air on extemely hot days. Your video wasn't around back then, and I couldn't find ANYONE with the exact same issue online, but now that I have found this, I have hope and will definitely be trying this. Thanks again.
@TDR Auto Thanks for this video. Need more folks like you helping us out. Do you know if those specs of 0.3 ~ 0.6 are the same on a 2017 Crosstrek?
I have a 2014 Crosstrex, replaced the compressor less than a year ago and my ac is out again… hoping this is the issue
Looks like you’re in the Chicagoland area, any recommendations to take my 2013 Forester for A/C diagnostic and service? Bought the car used 5 years ago, a/c worked fine till the end of last summer, but some small repair shops are not eager to work with boxer engines with some I spoke with.
im going to give this a try I'm hoping this is the problem since my pressures are good
hi, friend! I have a 2011 Forester and it was impossible for me to remove the AC clutch. Should a lot of pressure be used to remove it? Should I keep my battery disconnected? greetings and thanks (from Chile)
I have a 2018 Forester. Had I seen this video a few minutes ago I might have saved $300. Now that the compressor is replaced with a new one, cooling is still intermittent. Will cleaning the A/C system solve the issue? It has a new cabin filter already but I suspect it has not been cleaned for a few years (maybe since it was new?)
I might just have the exact same issue with my 08 impreza.. Waiting for the clutch holding tool to arrive so I can fix mine.
How's your AC holding up tho? Hope this is a long lasting fix!
To address your question regarding a comparison to the reliability of the AC system on older Hondas to that of contemporary Subarus, my experience owning and maintaining my 1981 Honda Accord LX (run to 250,000 miles) and 1988 Honda Accord LX (run to over 350,000 miles), I never touched anything associated with those two vehicles. In my opinion, it is just the "reduction engineering" being done to most mechanical systems (and not just that of automobiles) today which results in a higher failure rate.
Had also an intermittent working AC, checked the clutch gap, and it was 0,7mm. I changed it to 0,35. At first it looked if the problem was solved, but it turned out it was not. Then I replaced the AC relay with the Horn relay (these are the same) and guess, now the AC works. So the AC relay was bad, it worked but not always, that made it confusing.
Still on the ridiculously cheap fix list
Is this an fa20? With the oil filler in top instead of above the headers? Any info would help I have 2016 impreza
What size are the shims and where would I get them? I imagine an auto part store
You saved people, just from these comments, a collective $70k easily, if not double.
2016 Subaru Crosstrek, AC had the same noise and took power away, just as yours did for the last 2 or 3 years. Now the AC compressor doesn't even engage, although the light's on. Hopefully this is the issue and I can remedy it. Might be a combo of this and in need of a recharge
I have a 2017 crosstrek that started making noise and today it wouldn’t engage, how did yours turn out?
great vidio as far as ac fix goes but i noticed the oil filter is inverted as to most oil filter orientation and you cannot pre- fill the filter as one would normally do during oil/filter change. which means there's a gap in oil delivery until the filter catches up.
It is an interesting design, having oil filter right on top next to the oil filler. Makes it for the easiest oil changes ever. These cars do start up little rough, not sure if this affects the longevity of the engine. My Forester now has over 90000 miles and I only replaced brakes and rear wheel bearings in it's life so far, which compared to any other manufacture is still outstanding.
The filters still have an anti-drainback valve that keeps the oil filter primed with engine oil. And when you do an oil change you floor the accelerator while cranking the engine and that primes the filter after the installation.
@@villadelrefugio still say it's an back asswards design. i like new oil in my new filter before initial start up. call me old school.
I am having the exact same issues as of recently with my Forester and I have read so many different things regarding what my problem could be and this must be it. I have searched for leaks and nothing. When I’m driving and it’s gets hot out, 80-90’ or so, I notice my A/C cut out and it spits in warm humid air that feels so gross… then I’ll accelerate and it begins to kick back on. I have a feeling that the clutch isn’t engaging properly and this might just be my one way tix to fixing an otherwise very pricey problem! Fingers crossed! Thanks for the video 🤙
what to donif air isn’t coming thru vents at all
@@prockalldayClogged CABIN AIR FILTER
@@et4615 i already took tht out
Nice video! So I have a question! So on my 2014 Subaru forester clutch doesn’t go on when I put the ac on but I notice that doesn’t have any gas that could be a reason for the compressor not working?
For sure, if there is no pressure the PCM will not trigger the clutch.
Thank you so much! I will give it a shot!
Howdy. I have the same exact problem as you described. Air works then stops working, turn off for 5 min, turn back on and works. Gap is .7, took out small washer but now gap too thin. Advice? Pressure great.
I would try finding a thinner washer either at hardware store or at the dealer.
Do you have a torque spec for that center bolt? I can't find it anywhere, even on ProDemand
6mm bolts (10mm head), usually require only around 8 -12 NM
I had same issue . But I change compressor radiator hoses . Valve . 6 times change compressor after 2 day's compressor not cooling also clutch change but still not cooling
Sounds like it might be loosing refrigerant, Were the AC pressures checked?
What’s the torque spec for the bolt?? Thanks 🙏🏽
From my experience as a tech I'm guessing 14-18 pounds. It's a light load pulley and usually made with aluminum parts. Basically bottom it down and snug it up. No gorilla hands.
Hello, please explain, it turns out you changed the washer gasket to a thicker one, I don’t understand English well.
Hi, I took 2 spacers/washers out and only put 1 spacer back in.
Whats the name of the tool you used to dig in the shims
O-ring remover is what I found them under
I am having this chemical smell from my 2017 forester. AC is cold though and verified refrigerant charge is full.
I thought the heater core could be leaking coolant and have that bypassed. The smell seems lesser but it’s still there. Any idea?
how many km shown on your odometer?
I believe I had around 60000 miles so close to 100000 km at that time
Lol is that someone on the intercom saying “bruh”
So it your bearing
Why didnt you add or remove any shims? You just put the same shim back in there
I removed 2 shims and only put back 1
@@TDRAuto outstanding my man. Best of all videos I've watched on this repair.
what in the world is a "shim"?? is it the same as a washer? spacer? is it made out of a special metal?
shim would be same as spacer, basically thin washer. I think it's made out of steel, but can't tell you the exact composition. 😉