U r amazing thank you thank you!! Shop wanted $900 to replace. $15 in OEM o rings, recharged, FiXED! Alaska in the cab! U r a philanthropist. God bless you sir.

MrSubaru indeed, a well deserved title. I know this is an older video, but thank you once again for your time and dedication on all your videos which are extremely helpful and save us $$. Really appreciate it.

I have found my new home for all things Subaru. These guys rock! Very thorough and comprehensive presentation. Well done!

Just want to say "THANK YOU" for taking the time, sharing your knowledge and creating such an excellent video.

Thanks for the great content. I fixed my 2007 by removing a washer behind the ac compressor clutch to close the gap. Great videos! Always helpful!

Really well presented information. Just had my 2014 forester ac replaced under extended warranty and had intermittent issues immediately. I checked the cabin filter after seeing this video and it was completely jammed up with dirt/dust, so the air volume and cooling issues under high fan pressure, but not low, now make total sense. Hopefully a new one does the trick. Thank you!

Mr Subaru saves the day! 2011 Subaru outback 3.6L I'm in Arizona and now that the heat's coming on I thought I was just low on Freon because my AC would start off cold and then start blowing warm. I always like to see what Mr Subaru says about any procedures before I do them on my own. I have a mechanical background but don't work on cars for a living anymore. I would have chased my tail around a little bit on this one only to discover it was the simplest possible problem. I had a clogged cabin filter. Thanks to Mr Subaru I was able to start off with the simplest solution and got lucky. 👍

Amazing timing, this video popping up in my feed just a day after I had to deal with your first problem - compressor o-rings - in my 2017 Forester with about 93,000 miles.

. Very practical and obviously coming from someone with a lot of experience in the field. My 99 Legacy outback has a severe Freon leak and now I will know where to turn my attention. Thanks so much

By far the most extensive information packed Subaru ac video I’ve seen. Bravo 👏

I have to say for me personally, my Subaru A/C systems have served me very well compared to American made systems. Thanks for this “heads up” video Mr. Subaru. Always a great learning experience!

Thank you. You rock. My husband and I are driving from Arizona to Washington State. Our air quit working amd it is hot!! We are travveling at night to avoid the excessive heat. I pulled up your video to trouble shoot . We figured it out. .There is nothing around for miles nor open. Thanks again. I love youtube.🔥🥶🤣

Thanks as always Mr. Sub, yeah … me newer viewer. I have learned leaps and bounds on your channel… there is hope for me when I get to that point in my personal build. Merry Christmas friend…thanks and be well.

knowing about the existence of the test connectors is a marvelous resource. While the compressor on my 2009 Forester just hit 180,000 miles and is getting a bit long in the tooth, I at least know I can test the air gap, which is extremely valuable knowledge.

Thanks for the green jack and plug info. I have an 08 Outback so I'll be watching. It was supposed to have been serviced when I bought it due to a leak, maybe it was those O rings. Been a year so far and so far so good. Good cold air.

Great video! You explain everything very well and explain it in a way, so that it's easy to understand. 😊

Kudos to you for your excellent descriptive vocabulary! I could just listen to the audio track and know what and where you are pointing to. (vs. other vids that point and say 'this thingy' or 'this here'. (My rant is done.)

Grateful for your in depth narration!

Wow! All that info for free. Thanks dude for all your videos

Very clarifying explanations! Thank you for that, learned a lot about my Subaru Forester's AC

I have a little problem with AC on my 2.0i Legacy 2003, since a few weeks ago there is a little leak of water near the passenger wheel (above the catalyst more or less) and a beautiful metallic noise when AC is turned on. At the begining I thought that the water could be condensation but really I don't know. I' ve replaced the cabin filter with no results. Thank you for all your videos @MrSubaru1387 !! Regards from Spain!!

Thanks for a great video! Always interesting to see DIY helpful stuff for us Subie owners.

Thank you for all this good info in a professional and clear manner. You rock!

Great video as always! I am in agreement with you and all others with new Subarus about compressor failure. I own a 2014 Impreza Premium and had the compressor fail. Fortunately it was at 27,194 miles and covered under warranty. Now at just over 130k and still blowing cold air and running great. Stay cool🥶

Lots of great explanations made easily understood. Thank you 👍

@12:40 cabin air filter! Check this first! Clogged filter can cause the compressor to short cycle due to the evaporator temperature sensor shutting it down as the evaporator freezes from no air flow to warm it up. Short cycling can be caused by high or low refrigerate pressure (overcharge or undercharge, clogged condenser, etc.), but just the cabin filter being clogged can cause it too. It's ez to check first. Also, the compressor clutch engagement gets louder as that gap increases. If that engagement clunk is getting loud it's probably time to take a shim out. The clutch face comes off with jacking screws and the shims are in the center bore around the center bolt.

Awesome!! THANKS I just bought a 2006 wrx with no ac, now i know how to fix it!

Thanks for the info! Sweating here in southeast Texas. Gonna work on the sube through the sweat....

Thanks for the great info (and all the great video's)! Especially about the downsizing of compressors/clutches on 05's and later. That explains why my 05 Outback struggles when it hits 90 with humidity. Thanks to your video I now have some things to check to make sure everything is up to the task.

Thanks for your excellent videos!!!! Much appreciated!

I just wanted to add that on my '05 LL Bean Outback H6 the a/c was acting up. At initial turn on it blew cold.. After a few minutes the compressor stopped. The relay was no longer providing power to the compressor. Mechanic jumped the relay and the compressor came on. This caused the him to scratch his head a bit. He then remembered a Hyndai that did this about 15 years ago. Never saw it on a Subaru. So he worked back wards to a temperature sensor, not the engine temp sensor that displays on the dash. The offending sensor, as I was told by the office, resides near the thermostat and it provides info to the computer which provides the signal to the relay that turns on the compressor. Apparently it was sending an erroneous reading telling the computer the coolant temp was over 400 degrees according to the diagnostics. The computer then tells the a/c relay to stop running the compressor to remove a load from the engine. I've read numerous accounts in forums about a/c compressors not turning on after the car warms up. None ever mentioned this sensor. Replaced the sensor and all was right with the world. Keep that in your back pocket.

Thank you so much for this you’re super informative!!

I've had the same issue on every Subaru I've owned - '97 Outback Sport, 2003 Forrester, 2006 Outback Sport, and 2008 Outback. Easy fix if you can ID the problem.

Thanks so much! I have an 04 LL Bean and the AC system has been giving me trouble. Had it charged, oiled, o rings replaced and now it blows cold, but will quit after about 15 minutes. Always comes back on start. I just checked the compressor clutch action with the test plugs, it didn’t look nearly as close. Gonna doublecheck once I get some feeler gauges. Cheers!

Great video, near me no matter what the issue with the a/c system, they will surely rake you over the coals for as much as they can, even if it's just the orings, they will most likely tell you a new compressor is needed. That's is just the way the tri-state mechanics are. I have some good mechanics that I use that I think I can trust but if an a/c issue arises, all they would see if dollar signs. Probably why most people near me with older cars, once the a/c craps out, they just get a different car. Sad but that's just the way it is. Keep up the great videos! For safe measure, I change the cabin filter onces a year regardless of how it looks. Walmart carries them for my 2016 legacy. 100% correct on older vs newer with regards to robustness. The new systems are lacking if you ask me (my 2016 is not the greatest with 50K). The real issue is now that subaru is more mainstream and has increased sales substantially, the quality has gone down. I have had subarus between 2000 up to 2016. I would take my 2000 GC6 over anything I had after. Again, my mistake selling it ugh. My GC6, with just around 100K when sold a few years ago, a/c was iceberg cold and all original.

Thanks for this great video. With no pressure in my system, the first thing I checked was the two compressor o rings. Sure enough both o rings had blow by, so they both got replaced.

I watched this video a few weeks ago just to learn. Just got my 2023 crosstrek 6mt. Took a look under the hood and to my surprise the ac compressor is variable stroke (so no clutch) and the sticker on the side says Denso (well I'll be). They also switched to R1234YF Thanks for the awesome videos!

I have experienced that 05-09 AC. It was one of the main reasons i got rid of that one. I found the AC would work fine at night even with hot temps, but then add it additional solar load from the day time and it barely kept it comfy.

New o rings worked like a charm. Thank you

Learning about the green test plugs was like being given a cheat code in your favorite Nintendo game when you were a kid. Thanks!😊

Much appreciated for this knowledge and info! Thank you!!!

Great video! Lots of useful information.

my 2016 forester was producing SNOW ! at one point, found out the moisture vent was located under the front wheel arch and had blocked up going through fords and mud in winter....who on earth in Japan decided to locate it in such a place ! As was repaired twice in 5 years !

Very well done. Just the help I needed. Thanks!

Thanks for the overview, well presented. Interesting they dropped the capacity for 5 years, must have decided the complaints were not worth the minor saving.. BTW our '02 GT has brilliant A/C, and so far trouble free.

Thanks for sharing your info. Great video. At about 7:50 and 9:45 mention is made of using the diagnostic mode to check the electrical function of the clutch. We repaired the a/c on an '04 Forrester today, and learned that the system needs to have enough charge to observe the clutch operating, even in diagnostic mode. It didn't take long to learn that the low pressure sensor was locking out the compressor clutch in diagnostic mode, too. I simply ran a jumper from plus 12v to the compressor directly, to discern the air gap was fine, while engine not running, and quickly. In our case, the suspect two o-rings at the compressor were the core issue. Replaced them, evac'ed the system and recharged to exact volume of refrigerant, and it works like a champ now. We will remember to check/replace the cabin air filter too.

I had an 03 forester and it was nice and cold. I have a 2016 wrx and that thing gets worse as I drive down the road. I’ve done an evac and recharge and it was on point. The older ones held more than the newer ones

The A/C system on my 2003 UK STi used to keep leaking refrigerant and so I had to keep buying refrigerant refill bottles and topping pressure up - they were not cheap at €60 a bottle... and then the pressure only lasted a few months before it leaked out again. Got sick of it, so went to a professional A/C repair garage - they checked entire A/C system for leaks (he went around with some sort of light) and said it was the radiator that was the cause. So he replaced the radiator in the car - showed me old radiator and using light could see large patches of fluorescent stains on parts of radiator where it was leaking out. I asked could there be other parts leaking too and he said there were not any he could see. Cost me over €400 to do the job. So A/C works fine now. Haven't checked pressure since then though - hope its not leaking out of those O-rings you mentioned - he never said anything about that, so no idea if they replaced those too. They had awful job trying to get radiator bolts out too - had to cut them out - they were glued down. Anyway no way i could replace those without losing the pressure in system again - it is very high Bar pressure in there. They never mentioned or fixed the wobbly compressor clutch though.. it still works fine (apart from squeel at startup) so maybe they didn't notice it.

Incredibly helpful video. Thanks very much for taking the time to share your knowledge. - Jim (presently “enjoying” 106 degree temps at home in Seattle).

Great videos thanks, clutch and o rings will be first things to check, Thanks again, Nick 2003 Forester in Fiji.

Sometimes the compressor's pulley bearing will seize. I was able to replace the one in mine ('94 Impreza)cheaply and with little fuss but I'm not sure how easy that is to do on new models. The ER27 also used a single serpentine belt, and the EA family engines used a double V-belt system in some configurations. The EA cars also typically used either Hitachi or Panasonic compressors (the former typically being more reliable, the latter being fitted primarily to turbo cars) though occasionally there would be a Sanden or other make especially if it was a dealer-installed system.

Thanks just fixed a/c now had to take out a shim on the a/c pully

Really Helpful. Thank you!

My issue on my 05 baja is this, when the weather is below 90 degrees, the ac clutch will engage/ disengage just fine, but when it's well over 90 degrees. It'll stop engaging until I turn the ac off for a 5-10 minutes, then it would go back to normal operation--stop engaging again when running for a bit and so on. I decided to order an ac compressor clutch and hope it'll fix this issue, since memphis has some really bad humid heat in the summer.

Thank you for your knowledge just picked up an 04 out back LL bean edition first thing I was told ac doesn’t work. So I have a starting point.

Thanks man. I really enjoyed your thorough explanation on the A/C compressor.

Common Sense AC trouble shooting. I like it. People don't realize the Car AC/Heating system is not much different than their home AC/Heating system. Most people don't take care of their Home AC/Heating either LOL.

Information packed video! Thank you!

I like your video. While driving last summer I smelled rubbrer getting hot. I made it to my driveway, raised the hood to find the tensioner belt to the air compressor had burnt into and the long tensioner bolt under it had snapped the plastic holder on it also. I ordered in a new one and new belt, installed but then the prior working air compressor won't kick back on so I unplugged the electrical plug on top of it and took the belt back off and the new tensioner bolt to keep it from maybe breaking again. I have had no air conditioner since. After watching your video I now will check to see if the sensor for the clutch has failed or if I have those 2 green plugs under the dash to check it with. Mine is an 04 Forester X.

VERY helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for this video, my 2006 FXT with 120,000 miles air conditioner is still going strong and never been serviced, but expect my luck to run out any day now as the mid western seasonal extreme temp swings are taxing to an a/c system. I wonder if the store bought refrigerant with seal conditioner or leak sealer actually work to prevent the o rings from leaking. Another youtuber automotive guy I like to watch, South Main Auto, said most cars he services seem to lose a certain amount of refrigerant per year, I think he said up to an ounce per year, so if that's true with Subarus, I may need to add refrigerant soon anyways.

Two years ago I started having issues with AC, it would not produce cold air when the car was not moving, it turns out the sub-fan was not working anymore and caused the compresor to fail, the condenser to get clogged and finally the radiator to blow up. Had to replace the condenser, radiator and AC compresor beside the Sub-Fan because of 3 mechanics failing to check both fans were functional.

Just replaced o-rings and refilled the AC. It had leaking AC lubrication at the o-rings and making a very bad noise when AC is engaged. 2011 forester FB20.

I have a 2003 Forrester. Our only issue is when I run the AC, then engine over revs. Have to turn off for quite a while to get it to return to normal RPMs. Any ideas? First time watching one of your videos. We will be back. Very well done and informative. Thank you!

Hello Mr Subaru, I have watched a lot of Subaru videos. This is a GOOD one and a great channel. One Question: The thing that seems to be missing is: A) Most common problems when it is just weak AC vs B) Most common problems if the AC comes on for 5-10 minutes and then stops working. I am not sure if AC that comes on and then quits can be a symptom of just low freon and needs a recharge or if it is more likely a sign of the clutch and/or compressor. @MrSubaru1387

Going through some A/C headaches on my 2016 Forester. A plastic threaded insert on the high line seems to have broken off and bits cleared the check valve.....this is the 3rd one in a year. The first one was faulty 2nd (the one being replaced now). I didn't do my due diligence on TSB for this make/model. Lesson learned.

Great info.... I have one for you..... 2002 WRX. AC works fine but after about half hour of operation, if I take a quick left turn the AC will stop making cold air. Yes, it only happens on left turns LOL.... It usually happen on a highway underpass as I made the turn toward the access road. I avoided the issue if I took the turn slowly BUT any fast turn the the AC will stop working. Had to wait a few hours before the AC will work again and the issue will repeat all over again. Suspect the drain line to be plugged (no drain water in the garage) and the turn causes some interlock in the system due to water level within the evaporator housing. Will work on trying to unplug the line (best way to do so???)

👍👍👍 Excellent informative video by somebody who specializes in one brand need more specialist professionals out there doing detailed descriptions of individual year make model, one brand only air conditioning descriptions.

Thank you for this informative video. Driving back in the hot sun our Subaru outback A/C full on and blowing strong …hot air. After watching your video I checked the valve on the high pressure port and gas comes out strong from there when I press down the centrepiece. So I think gas is not the problem. I checked the spacing on the compressor and it engages nicely and very tight. What am I missing? Why does the A/C not produce cold air?

I'm guessing for my 07 forester that i can't run down to the you pull it and grab a pre 05 ac compressor and retrofit?? That would be cool. Great video and info!

great and very informative video....

My wife's 2015 xv crosstrek just quit cooling and it sounds like yours but on steroids great video

Its reassuring to hear the somewhat weak AC on my 2005 LGT is normal. It will get very cold, it just takes a while when its near 100 degrees.

Found this in my search for my AC not blowing cold. Bought the 2015 WRX with five miles on it and now it has 93k! Still runs great and pulls hard but now can't have cold air like it used to have. It just happened one day and before that it was blowing cold. Back to the research it goes... Thanks for posting Subie Subie videos as well. I watch them from time to time randomly

You are a legend man, any recommendations for mechanics in Tasmania, Australia? my A/C Subaru forester 2002 not cooling after I flush or drain my radiator.

You the Subaru God ✊

My 2015 Impreza compressor sounded like a coffee grinder at 58,000km and now doesn't respond at all when engaging A/C. Also, I have a funky hot burning smell from the vents after a good highway drive since the A/C died. Don't get me started about the soft paint! I wanted to love the car, lol, I really did.

This was a very informative video...I have a 2017 Forester. The AC blows great, it cools great, but is dripping (alot) of water on the passenger floor well...We blew out the rubber hose and the tubes - water is going on the ground where it should, but still alot in the cabin - what should I examine next? thanks for anything you can tell me...

In general, does one of the engine styles / transmissions have more issues in the newer models? Is the 2.0 any easier to work on or remove if needed? Thanks. Like the channel.

You are a Subaru legend! Thank you for the superb video. On my '04 Outback, the A/C blows fine for about 15 minutes and then stops blowing cold air, just warm air comes on. The fan comes on but no A/C. If I turn off the car for a few minutes and then start it back, the A/C blows again for a few minutes and then off. This occurs on hot days predominantly. I have replaced the A/C clutch but the issue continues. I suspect the revolution sensor harness is bad.

from 10:20 onwards I was just admiring that thick wide stance you are taking, no-ones going to push you over whilst recording!

I have a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek we have checked everything we know to do I have only cold air coming out of one vent. I sure hope this video helps me thank you it is July fixing to be August in Alabama

my bugeye is leaking somewhere on the compressor! this just helped out a TON!!! thanks for the tips

Great video! The AC on my 2014 subaru impreza 2.0 wagon wouldn't turn on. I tried it again a few minutes later and it started running and blowing cold air. However, minutes later it stopped blowing cold air and just blew warm air. I turned it off and waited about 15 minutes before I turned it back on. It started working again as normal. Getting it checked and will be back with an update.

Appreciate the explanation of the dynamics of function Subaru specific. Whether or not his video fixed your issue or gave you the answer you were trying to find, wasting (or helping) with diagnostics is a different skill set than mechanical replacement. I don't know much... Subaru, really??? Industrial mechanical and air force precision measurement calibration Chinese fortunate cookie. says, methaphorically, he showed you how to fish and didn't just give you a fish. I completely understand viewers asking an answer specifically, but repair depends on correct diagnostics. It's pseudo nerdy knowledge, I hope $2 a month is worth the time to help understand system design. The factory service manual...not a diagnostic.

My 2012 impreza 5 speed failed at 30k, was on the highway when the whole car lugged heavily for a moment then went back to normal. After that the compressor made a mild metal on metal sound until it was fixed a few weeks later. I did notice the compressor was very dusty, like it wasnt engaging fully maybe? Didn't have that car much longer after. Bought a then new 2017 manual forester, currently at 63k and so far it's functional. Compressor doesn't rattle but is the most noisy of any vehicle we own. Out of Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, and Toyota.

You are very helpful Mr Subaru 1387

I have a subaru impreza G4 1.6 2016 from Japan, I live in the tropics 28 - 34 degrees outside temp. The AC will cool and then after a while the airflow reduces, if i turn up the blower to high I hear the blower working hard but low air flow. If i switch from recirculate to fresh air intake in aboute 2 mins i will see icy mist blowing from vents and the airflow goes back to normal. Someone was suggesting the thermostat is not working

I just replaced the whole clutch assembly. There was 0 gap. Was the clutch just worn out? (2014 Forester 2.5) Great video, super helpful!

My Subaru Forester 2018 just needed replacing it, 6 years is a bit short for the lifespan. I believe it happened when I smelled an intense rubber burning smell last year during fall after I replaced cabin air filter to a more expensive one with a lot metal balls and carbon filter thingy inside… Now I’m out of $1700

My son has a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek with a diagnosed leaking condenser and system empty. We were going to try and replace it ourselves. He has ordered a new one along with Orings. Any advice on adding Pag oil, new O rings or anything related to this job? Thanks agian from a family of Subaru owners for your great vids.

2012 Forester here with 150k miles. When my compressor kicks in it's much louder than my 2003 Forester but still blows cold air.

just had my compressor in my 2012 outback done under warranty because it wouldn't engage properly and cooled very slowly, the new compressor is better, but the little 12oz system is no match for the 16oz in the SH forester the 250k mile compressor in my 2010 forester will literally turn that car into a freezer, but the clutch is starting to grind on engagement so looks like its time to throw a new clutch on it

A jack leg shop in the Atlanta area quoted me almost 2G's to fix my Forester AC. Got it done for $140 at a small shop that focuses on Subaru

Nice video thx for info on the diag plugs, My 09 forester will cycle on for about 2-3 min then cycle off I can turn it off and then it will maybe come back on. My charge seems good at about L30 and H210 on 85 deg day. Is there a thermostatic switch in cabin that could be effecting the switch on and off of compressor? This never had this issue till Subaru did my air bag recall not sure if it was coincidence or what

Thank you! Great information. Where can a Factory Service Manual be acquired?

Well the reduced capacity system explains why my dad says his 98 Forester AC was waaay better than his 2006 Outback. Thanks!

The o ring to the air compressor is exactly my problem. I have a 2002 wrx and went to recharge it and it started leaking from both of those points. I bought o rings, vacuumed the lines, recharged and it’s all good

Ya my 2012 Impreza has a loud compressor. Even driving at 65-75 mph I can hear it kicking on and off inside the car 🤦‍♂️. It’s done that since new. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’m waiting for it to break any day now lol .

Thank! good good Video