a/c compressor

[98outbackpdx]

i think my ac compressor is about to take a crap. after running the a/c for a few hours straight something under the hood starts smoking, it has had this symptom since i got the car in May of 2009. i am thinking it is the ac compressor because it is turning on and off or will not turn on at all, when i am needing it to be on.

so my question is how much am i going to expect to pay the Subaru Dealer for a new or reman ac compressor, and the other stuff that i need to probably have done.

[ouch1011]

Does the AC cool well when it turns on? Also, verify what is smoking. The compressor is easy to see. If it is the A/C clutch smoking, verify the cooling fans are on. If not, on a hot day, the AC pressure will get really high and put a ton of strain on the compressor.

From what you are saying so far, I'd say the coil for the AC clutch is failing, causing the clutch to apply weakly and slip (causing smoke) or not apply at all. You could try to verify that by running the AC until it cycles off and doesn't come back on, then use the wood/rubber end of a hammer to tap the clutch on the compressor to see if it engages. If the clutch is failing, the repair should only be $200-$300 because you can replace the AC clutch and hub separately, and it shouldn't even require servicing the refrigerant. If the compressor itself is failing, it will be probably $1000-$1200, because the compressor itself is most likely $500+, and when the compressor fails, you have to assume it sent debris throughout the system, so the accumulator/dryer has to be replaced, and the condensor and evaporator have to be flushed out, which requires some disassembly to access them. I'd highly recommend using Subaru OE parts...aftermarket compressors just don't seem to last.

[98outbackpdx]

Does the AC cool well when it turns on? Also, verify what is smoking. The compressor is easy to see. If it is the A/C clutch smoking, verify the cooling fans are on. If not, on a hot day, the AC pressure will get really high and put a ton of strain on the compressor.

From what you are saying so far, I'd say the coil for the AC clutch is failing, causing the clutch to apply weakly and slip (causing smoke) or not apply at all. You could try to verify that by running the AC until it cycles off and doesn't come back on, then use the wood/rubber end of a hammer to tap the clutch on the compressor to see if it engages. If the clutch is failing, the repair should only be $200-$300 because you can replace the AC clutch and hub separately, and it shouldn't even require servicing the refrigerant. If the compressor itself is failing, it will be probably $1000-$1200, because the compressor itself is most likely $500+, and when the compressor fails, you have to assume it sent debris throughout the system, so the accumulator/dryer has to be replaced, and the condensor and evaporator have to be flushed out, which requires some disassembly to access them. I'd highly recommend using Subaru OE parts...aftermarket compressors just don't seem to last.

thank you and i was planning on having it done at the subaru dealer. i will try to tap the clutch tomarrow to see if that works. i hope it is just the clutch. yes it does a good job most of the time when it is on. the cooling fans do turn on and work. why i think it is the a/c compressor is it did the same thing last summer, and summer 2009, so the only times i needed a/c it does it.

[98outbackpdx]

so when i hit the throtle like you are driving in stop and go traffic (getting the car up to 2k rpm) it kicks off, then after a few seconds turns back on. but i looked under the hood and the passenger side valve cover gasket is leaking and i am guessing that is what is smoking after a day of driving. i degreased the engine yesterday and added 1 quart of oil. i had the oil changed at the dealer a little over 2k miles ago, and towards the end of may, so i don't think that it is using or burning very much oil. i think they say 1 quart every 3k miles for new cars is acceptable.

[harrymaneuvers]

For what it is worth... when my AC compressor had lost a large amount of compression, it would blow almost warm at a stopped idle... then as soon as I was up to around 3k rpm... it would start to blow cold.


I got a used one from my favorite subaru parts dismantler for $100 with a 3 year warranty (parts and labor)... that was over 2 years ago and it still runs SUPER strong... even in 100 degree weather.


I found a local mechanic that had the cart with the recharging system for the AC and he charged me $75 to install the new AC compressor, fill with Refrigerant, and preform a leak test.

You might give specialized parts planet subaru in rancho cordova a call...

[ouch1011]

The A/C will normally kick off if you get past abut 50% throttle, to keep the A/C from dragging the car down too much when you request a lot of acceleration.

[httrdd]

How about your compressor seizing up? The clutch engages and the compressor sometimes does not spin. Smoking could be caused then since the belt is dragging. Just a thought.

[98outbackpdx]

i found the cause of the smoking, it is the passenger side valve cover gasket is leaking, it was pretty oily around that area. next month i will take it in to the dealer to have it fixed. i do not know how to do it and i will screw something up if i try to do it, and some of the shops will not touch it because it is a Subaru and it has 227k miles on it they say to just get a new motor. so i will take it to the dealer for $400 and have it done. also i do not trust anyone else in The Dalles to fix it.

with the ac compressor i think it might just be low of Freon, i have never had it done since i have have had it and there was no prior service records from the Subaru dealer i got hosed at.

[Huffer]

If the AC system is at low pressure it will not power on. Sounds like your system needs to be evacuated and recharged.

Valve cover gaskets are easy to change out - there's a DIY on this site too. You only need some hand tools and a gasket set, should take a couple of hours to do. Clean up the area and get to work on it.

[98outbackpdx]

Valve cover gaskets are easy to change out - there's a DIY on this site too. You only need some hand tools and a gasket set, should take a couple of hours to do. Clean up the area and get to work on it.

there is no such think as doing anything easy with me, and when the only current road legal car is my outback, i cannot screw it up so i am just going to take it to the dealer instead of having it towed to the dealer when something goes wrong. the dealer says it is a 4 hour job so it is not bad.

[ouch1011]

Flat rate time for both valve cover gaskets is 1.5 hrs, so don't let them charge you 4hrs.