Subaru Forester A/C Compressor Clutch Failure! Can We Replace This Clutch Only & Save $800?!

[@spelunkerd]

I replaced the pulley and bearing on a Dodge Ram almost twelve years ago. Still working fine! The biggest challenge is finding parts, which can be much harder than people realize.

[@neilh9442]

Thanks for dropping bolts and failing on the fix. Really. Between this and the recent Ac video, You convinced me to just replace the compressor on my 15 Forester. Watching for part 2 and crossing fingers & toes on mine. 👍

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋

[@timbrown9731]

Yeah, Robert, after seeing you spin that compressor by hand like that towards the end of the video, it was toast😳

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Tim

[@newjersey502]

Mr Subaru Thank You as Always for a Great Video. I was so hoping you could get away clutch kit Only!!! As a Subaru Mechanic myself I knew the ultimate outcome however and anyways you will know now you have all the bases covered with a New Compressor . I usually just replace the whole compressor with Clutch and as u mentioned The Clutch kit only is only After Market . There was an also a TSB on this clutch. Weight reduction and cost savings make the modern day AC Compressor as more frequent repair than back in the day when life expectancy was far greater . I enjoy always all your videos !!! Thanks !!

[@johnlane9743]

Ah, the real life travails of a mechanic. (Not to mention the heat and skinned knuckles) This is a 15 minute video after edit. If you were to show the entire loop - that is to say diagnoses - part ordering - repair ... etc. etc. etc.... this video would easily run 3, 4 or as much as six hours... God bless good mechanics. (and yes, I still owe you and have not forgotten)

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

John

[@bigdaddymak1439]

Crosstrek and Forester of this vintage use an undersized compressor for fuel economy and are prone to failure. My wife's Crosstrek compressor failed and I put a UAC compressor on it has done very well. It was only 350 dollars. Valeo makes those compressors for Subaru. I love OE parts too but on a 10 year old car and the Subaru compressor design was bad anyway.

[@MrRandomshiznitz]

AC job on boxer engine is so easy compared to working on a honda.

[@kennethstevens1107]

Glad to see that I am not the only one dropping bolts and screws into the engine bay

[@jeffreygoss8109]

My claim is half the bolts are redundant anyway 😂

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Kenneth

[@christophercobler9774]

I'm literly about to take my 14 forester in on Tuesday for an A/C compressor replacement. They are just doing thr whole thing since they don't know if it's just the clutch or more. Gonna cost me 1064 total

[@chomskysfavefive]

Mr Subaru you are the man! Hey I'm looking at a 2013 BRZ Premium that looks phenomenal for 17k but I'm confident I can talk em down to 16k. One owner, 6.6k miles a year, minor collision in the back but it looks perfectly fine. Drives like a dream. The only thing is it has 75,000 miles. Would you take that deal? Seems a lot for a 75k mile car but it is a Toyota x Subaru collaboration so who knows how long it can run ?

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello 👋

[@kellycowett6254]

Cross your fingers and toes I use that statement all the time 😅

[@MikeFicsacardi]

Damn I was hoping that worked. The clutch on mine failed a few weeks ago and I installed a remanufactured unit I got off rock auto and it works now. Still hits the wallet hard, but need A/C in this heat! 🥵

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Mike

[@jamesbruno5896]

I've had good luck with used compressors. Our cars rot away b4 they fail again anyway 😂

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

James

[@exwldr6945]

REDICULOUS PRICE for an Ac Compressor!!

[@judih.8754]

Too bad it didn't work out. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Looking forward to the follow up.

[@jamesshirley5875]

As bad as those o-rings are about leaking there at the compressor, I’m surprised you didn’t go ahead and replace them while the system was empty! I guess the new compressor will get a fresh set though?

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

James

[@BrianHoff04]

Aftermarket stuff.. might actually be made by the OEM suppliers. I'm the Quality Manager for a CNC Lathe shop that makes some stuff for Bosch Automotive. Bosch makes OEM components for.. likely every car company that most people have heard of. While the vast majority of what they sell is to the car companies there is always an amount sold to aftermarket companies. Same materials, same mfg. processes, same cleaning & packaging. One thing that does change is less testing. But.. again, the same processes are used. When my company ships it has to do all the measurement & tests.. we have no idea if our parts will wind up as aftermarket or OEM. Neither does Bosch. That is decided after the product is made & is sitting on inventory shelves. We charge the same price. All Bosch's suppliers do. I do not know how Bosch prices its components to their customers.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Brian

[@BrianHoff04]

@@EvelynLogan-ew9rp Evelyn?

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

@@BrianHoff04 how’re you doing? Where’re you from? What social media you got?🤪🧐

[@richroggio]

very good video Mr. Subaru, thank you and looking forward to part 2 👍

[@loganmaddocks4703]

Hey man! I replaced my power steering pump on my 09 Impreza. It is still losing fluid, and it pools directly behind the power steering pump on the engine block. Theres no visible fluid coming from the lines where they bolt in and I got a new O ring with the new pump. Any idea where this fluid could be coming from?

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Hello Logan

[@xXxSelnixxXx]

I feel like we'll be going down the new compressor road on the wife's 2014 Impreza if we ever have money to spare. Whatever form of gremlin that is living under the hood will let her A/C work beautifully at times then just randomly quit cooling only to start working again after stopping at an exit/intersection/etc or after revs have gone up to 3-4k while going uphill or passing someone. The charge checked fine a year or so ago after the problem started but she works from home and it hasn't been a priority to fix on a car that may only get driven twice a month at this point.

[@toddb930]

Is there somewhere i could figure out if I'm missing a tensioner? I have a 2006 Imprezza that didn't have the belt for the A/C compressor when i bought it. Does it use one of those stretch belts or should there be some sort of tensioner? Its the 2.5L I4 engine.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Todd

[@Treeves30]

Ha! This is so what happens to me too! I think I'm solving the problem only to realize it's much bigger. The problem is that past experience I did solve the problem like this on the cheaper side, but the lesson here is that it's not always that way......especially in life! Nice work!

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Ted

[@blackscotydog]

Many years ago I replaced the rough A/C clucth bearing on Wife`s 95 Impreza outback. Was still working and making ice cold air when I gave the car to my brother in law. It had 350k on it. Good ole EJ 18.

[@ikariku]

Ouch. Better luck for the next repair

[@MrSubaru1387]

Luckily it’s all done. ✅

[@_CryptoNoob_]

I think this is exactly what happened to my 2015 wrx yesterday. I was sitting in the car with ac on and noticed the air was humid all of the sudden and some smoke was coming from under the hood. Immediately shut off the ac and the car, opened hood to find the ac Compressor smoking a little. Small rubber smell but the new belt seems fine because it only ran for under 30 seconds after it failed. My question is, can I just replace the clutch/pulley/bearing without having to drain the system? I just replaced the ac relay last week and topped off the system with some r134. It wasn't low on pressure in the system, but I topped it up by around 4 lbs and the air got immediately much colder. The clutch spins fine by hand so I think this is the same issue you have here, except I only ran mine for a few seconds after it quit. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[@nme87]

Thanks for this. Wifes 2015 forester's compressor sounds like yours did after you changed the clutch. Wondering how much longer itll last. That said, her radiator top tank appears to be browned like this one as well. Cause for concern? In other brands like toyota browning tanks is a sign of imminent failure. Same for these subarus?

[@nickp.4915]

Just replaced my 2014 Forester compressor about 6 weeks ago, picked up a used compressor pulled from a 55K mile wrecked Subaru from LKQ online paid $155 delivered for the compressor. My 2014 Forester has 178K miles on it so while I was in there I Replaced the high side hose (Rock Auto $17) and o-rings (Rock Auto Subaru AC O-Ring kit $6) on both the high\low side hoses you showed us how to replace in another one of your videos (Thanks by the way) went to the local auto parts store and borrowed a vac pump and a set of gauges, vac' d down very quickly and after sitting a half hour still no change in pressure, so all good, used the gauges to suck in 1 oz oil just in case, and then 1 and a half cans of refrigerant. Blowing cold as ice (around 38 degrees) Been running great all summer now turns my outside of windows into an igloo of condensation on these 90+ degree 90+ humidity summer days. Total cost 3 hours of my time and $205 total! Thanks again!

[@erkkiamerikka]

Ah rats, well it was worth a shot eh. These things are getting stressed out everywhere, tired of this 102+ here in Kansas.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Car is already repaired. New compressor, condenser, & TXV.

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Erik

[@digdug5945]

Mr. Subaru your videos are fabulous. I can't count how many times I miss diagnosed something. Do you know if the Topdon Phoenix Lite 3 does by-directional on fuel injectors. This is on a 2020 Crosstrek. Their website says by-directional on this tool but i'm not sure exactly how much it will do. Your thoughts. Keep up the good work.

[@dagreat201]

Hi Robert, I'm on the fringe of wanting to buy a BRZ, but I'm scared of it being a ticking time bomb, can you address the engine failures of the FA24D? And ways to avoid them? If not the BRZ then I was also considering the current WRX, how many miles can you really get out of the FA24DIT with normal extensive maintenance and no crazy stupid modifications

[@Doug_Hefernen]

My clutch keeps cycling on and off. Has correct Freon pressure, new condenser, expansion valve, pressure switch and swapped out the compressor. Still cycles on and off every 15 seconds.

[@kfessler1]

Just go straight to Denso for the compressor and condenser. Waaaaay less expensive than buying it from the dealership or even the OEM part replacement websites.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Exactly what I covered in last week’s video. Problem is this isn’t a Denso system like the Outback/Legacy. The Forester/Impreza uses a Valeo system. Couldn’t locate the compressor. Was out of stock everywhere I looked.

[@kfessler1]

@@MrSubaru1387 Ahh, gotcha. Didn't know they used 2 different brands. I think my 2011 Legacy compressor is getting weak (won't go below 58°) so I started researching and found Denso had the best price, even though they don't offer the expansion valve for some reason.

[@Obsidian762]

MrSubaru, to your knowledge do aftermarket AC compressors tend to under perform? My Forester's AC can't keep up if the outside temperature is more than 80 F. The only component that was not replaced was the evaporator core.

[@ranran2218]

Subaru said i have a cracked condensor and my ac compressor is making noise. They suggested i replace the compressor also. Would that be best? I have a 2019 wrx base model

[@KevinFaraci]

Hi Mr Subaru, not really related to this video but Im trying to change the spark plugs on my 2018 impreza base with the fb20d engine. I got the front driver side and the 2 on the passenger side but the problem im running into is the ecm is right in front of that back driver's side ignition coil. I removed the brace but the wires are so thick and also connected to the fuse box that I cant really bend it out of the way. I'm having a hard time finding more information about this problem online and i'm not quite comfortable enough to just go unplugging things like the ecm. Any advice?

[@hectorrodriguez-rodriguez7804]

That radiator is next...

[@_CryptoNoob_]

Does this ac pump have a rear bearing as well, or is it just a race back there with a bearing in front only?

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you for posting this excellent video. I'm looking forward to watching the next part.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Robert

[@MrPoppyDuck]

Oh man! Hope you have better luck next time Mr Subaru!

[@WesleyStevens-ln3xv]

These cars sure look DIY friendly

[@MrSubaru1387]

They definitely are.

[@rockenracing1996]

can you do a video on a diagnostic of a non-op AC which doesn't have any faults in the self test and is unclear how to troubleshoot further in the fsm? i did the shim removal on the clutch and there is no continuity in the pressure switch. weird part was i could engage the clutch with the Power Probe.

[@MickyBellRoberts]

Where do you operate from?

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Micky

[@_morningglory196]

How many miles are on the Forester?

[@bricemyers6527]

Clutch part number?

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Mom should be happy! 😊

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Jeffrey

[@mitchharrison435]

Nice Try! Better luck next time.

[@et4615]

Any idea why my AIR BAG light is staying on in the dash board? 98 Forester.

[@MrSubaru1387]

No clue if you don’t scan the codes.

[@thomas735]

Did they redesign this on the newer ones?

[@EvelynLogan-ew9rp]

Thomas

[@AzatWilD]

Hello Mr.Subaru🖖, I have a Subaru forester SK 2023. Is it possible to fill the air conditioner with the usual R-134a instead of freon R-1234yf?

[@maui6446]

I am not a pro like you, but my experience with A/C is the easier fixes usually never last very long. Usually end up doing the most of the system sans evaporator. Might get by flushing the lines but this is iffy. My advice to used car buyers is that if the A/C isn't performing strong it will need big dollar repairs unless you do it yourself. The parts are expensive so plan on a compressor, receiver/drier, condenser, expansion valve, flushing lines, seals, etc.. It is never as easy or inexpensive as a can of R134!!

[@TheGhungFu]

Well shee-it.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Well explained. Different failures different repairs. This is popular among Hondas with the compressor at the bottom which seems to get wet and ruin the clutch

[@raypencosky8296]

It was worth the effort and cost initially.

[@EvelynLogan-od7zc]

Ray

[@kevinkraftable]

can you do any catalytic converter troubleshooting videos?

[@Chorizomicks]

Imagine doing this on a Tesla lol.

[@Fjord_Driver]

You won't be, because Elon doesn't release repair information for DIY. You are forced to take the Tesla to a specific Tesla shop. Or you can take it to Whistlin' Diesel. He can fix Teslas.

[@Mini-Driver]

On our 2014 Forester 288K+, in traffic the AC seems to get warm then get cold again once we start moving again. Have not had the system checked out yet, what should I look for? Thanks.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Could be a weak compressor or a low charge.

[@Mini-Driver]

@@MrSubaru1387 We will have the system checked out. Thank you again.

[@Mini-Driver]

@@MrSubaru1387 I fixed it! We had an 8mm gap in the clutch. I removed one of the shims and got the gap down to .45mm. So far in the few weeks, no issues. I'll check our daughters Forester next time we go to West Virginia, since she is having the same issue. Thanks for your channel.

[@Mini-Driver]

@@MrSubaru1387 It was our clutch out of spec. Ours was .8mm. I removed one shim to get it down to .45mm.