What a day for the A/C to die!

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by DaveH, Jun 19, 2009.

  1. DaveH

    DaveH Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    Happened yesterday. Driving home on I75. Cold air became hot air. All of a sudden. Great timing, I have to say.

    So, what next? What part of the a/c system usually fails first? The car has ~95,000 miles.
     
  2. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    2,327
    Likes Received:
    0
    Buy a cheap recharge kit.

    Once the pressure drops to a certain level the clutch on the compressor will not engage. You could have been slowly working to that point and you finally crossed it yesterday.
     
  3. techlord

    techlord Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2006
    Messages:
    2,385
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have an AC compressor if it comes to that. Race car doesn't need AC!
     
  4. DaveH

    DaveH Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yep, I was going to pick up a kit today. Of course, if it's low, it has a leak. Anyone know if there are o-rings to be replaced as a normal maintenance item?
     
  5. DaveH

    DaveH Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    It was the compressor belt tensioner. The tensioner pulley bearing seized and arm and pulley were driven backwards into the timing belt cover. The belt was shredded.

    So, I headed to Subaru of Kennesaw. I arrived there at 4:20 today. Steve straight away drove my car into the service bay and work started. New tensioner arm and pulley installed. By 5:20, I was on I75 driving home.

    Very impressed by SOK. Steve runs a good operation there. Thank you Steve!
     
  6. Trancetto

    Trancetto Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2008
    Messages:
    1,321
    Likes Received:
    6
    Ive been running with no AC since i bought my car lol. Open all 4 windows and feels good. The only time that i hate that i dont have AC is, when it rains. Holly shit do i swet my ass off.

    I tried refilling it, i fixed one leak that i found, but still, it would run for few hours and boom hot air again. I gave up on fixing it.

    How much did it cost you?
     
  7. DaveH

    DaveH Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    That was me when I had my 240SX. I wouldn't do it now mind you. Not fair on my family, including my 3 year old.

    Total was ~$250.
     
  8. scoobaru

    scoobaru Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2007
    Messages:
    977
    Likes Received:
    0
    I had the same problem. Tensioner pulley locked up and snapped the belt. New pulley and belt was like 60 bucks, and was actually pretty easy to change.
     
  9. DaveH

    DaveH Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    The tensioner arm on mine was badly bent also. It had to be replaced.

    Certainly an easy enough job. I contemplated doing it myself.
     
  10. Jake

    Jake Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2006
    Messages:
    3,845
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah that is a very common problem I can name 4 people off the top of my head including my old wrx whom have had to replace that stupid tensioner.
     
  11. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    As much as I love no AC, we live in GA. It is far too hot for it :)
     

Share This Page