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Old 06-17-2003, 08:17 PM   #1
quietgiroth
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Default Air con question

My air conditioning wasn't working the other day so I took it into a shop to get recharged, and to have it checked for leaks.
The guy said that almost every O ring was leaking. I don't know a whole lot about the air conditioning system. This is the first car I have owned that has it. Is this a repair job that I can do myself? If so are there any books, or websites that tell you how to do it. I can't find any for my 97 Impreza.

Cheers
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Old 06-17-2003, 08:25 PM   #2
armand1
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If you haven't had training in dealing with A/C systems, it's best to let a professional deal with it. There are some special dangers in dealing with A/C systems, and a number of easy ways to destroy major working parts of it, such as the compressor.

One question: since multiple seals are bad, perhaps the system wasn't run often enough? An important preventive health measure for A/C systems is to run them at least once a month, summer, winter, whatever, in order to keep them properly lubricated (the oil is dissolved in the coolant).

If you want more info, look into A/C training books/courses; there won't be anything specific for your Impreza aside from the Subaru shop manual, and A/C work is a lot more generic than many other systems.
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Old 06-17-2003, 08:39 PM   #3
quietgiroth
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I've tried to run it once a month, even when it was -35C in Canada.

Sounds like a job I can't do then, so I guess its another couple hundred towards my Subaru. Doh, there goes my rear disk brake conversion money.
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Old 06-18-2003, 12:09 AM   #4
esteve
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Replacing the o-rings is pretty simple...every connection that's bolted or screwed together has an o-ring.

"Almost every o-ring leaking" sounds greatly exaggerated, but all it takes is one. You should ask them if they used dye to come to that conclusion because that's the best way. Hand-held sniffers don't work very well and often give false readings.

A/C oil tends to leave a trace where a leak was...dirt tends to stick to it and you can see the oily coating. I would look over your whole system for any signs...don't forget the condenser connections and the condenser itself for rock damage.

Doing it yourself is an option if that's all that's wrong with it since you would save money, but it will be kinda a PITA to go through every connection and have to find a matching o-ring. Shops stock all sizes, you'd have to deal with the hassle of getting all the right ones. BTW, make sure whoever does it that they use the green o-rings which are much better than the black nitrile ones.

PM me for tips if you're still considering doing it yourself.
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Old 06-18-2003, 02:52 PM   #5
ciper
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Get a second opinion. The guy was either trying to cheat you or had incorrect information.
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Old 06-19-2003, 02:51 PM   #6
quietgiroth
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It must be a slow leak because it has been five days and the air con still works. The guy used dye, as I dont' know much about the air con system I took his word for it. I doubt he was ripping me off as it was a fairly reputable garage. Why do you believe that he was?

I'm going to wait till it doesn't work anymore then have a go at it. Some guys on the Toronto Subaru Club have offered to help me out. One bloke just took his air con out, and said that I could look over it to get an idea of what I would have to do.

Cheers everyone for your help and advice.
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Old 06-19-2003, 02:54 PM   #7
ciper
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Your vehicle is fairly new, so age isnt a problem. I could see one seal failing but for all of them to fail for no reason just doesnt make sense.

Why hasnt anyone else with the same year and model of your vehicle had the problem? Chances are highly against all of your seals being flawed while others have no problem.
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Old 06-19-2003, 04:07 PM   #8
avk
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The O-rings sit in grooves machined into the mating metal surfaces. These fittings seem quite reliable.
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Old 06-19-2003, 09:59 PM   #9
esteve
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Quote:
Originally posted by quietgiroth
It must be a slow leak because it has been five days and the air con still works. The guy used dye, as I dont' know much about the air con system I took his word for it. I doubt he was ripping me off as it was a fairly reputable garage. Why do you believe that he was?
Like ciper said, something's funny with what they told you. In order to use dye, the freon has to be fully recovered so the dye can be injected into the low side port. It makes no sense at all for them to re-charge your system with "almost every o-ring leaking."

Since your A/C is now working, they must've recharged it right, unless you did?
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Old 06-20-2003, 03:58 PM   #10
InfamousDX
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Default PLEASE HELP!!!

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