SpeeDyScooBy

iTrader: (16)

It's gettin pretty damn hot so If your A/C needs some TLC then you should definitely take your car to "Chet's European and japanese Auto Care" in Santa Clara.

So here's my experience today:

Took my car to Bayshore Auto because of all the rave reviews on yelp. When I brought my car in he looked at it with a flashlight and took off the high-side cap and put a little pin in it and told me I had no freon and quoted me $135 just to recharge it. I asked him could there be a leak or if something else might not be working, he said he can put some dye in for an extra $10 to detect leaks so $145 total. Seemed like a lot just for a recharge so I lied and said I had to go to go to bank.

Took my car to Chet's (found through Detail Addict mentioning on another thread). Its a really small shop but Vu the mechanic hooked up my car to recharge machine and made sure my whole A/C system was working and it was, but we realized there was a leak (due to rubbing of an old intercooler) in the Low-side A/C line and he called subaru immediately to see if they had the part, unfortunately we had to order it. Even though I'm gonna be spending bank because of the A/C line I was quoted only $80 to evac and recharge. Even with the the 1hr of labor they're gonna charge me for the install it only came out to a little more than what the other shop was gonna charge me just for the recharge.

So if you got A/C problems go see this guy

Like Detail Addict said in the other thread make sure you know the basics on how your A/C system works before going to any shop. Hope this helps with the HOT summer coming up.

Eckshero

iTrader: (9)

crapp.... my A/c hasnt worked since i got the car. subaru couldnt figure out why either. thanks for the headsup ill have to see this shop. =]

dan2304k

iTrader: (2)

Also check and make sure both of your radiator fans are plugged in and working.

I had one of mine unplugged for clearance issues and eventually found out that's why my AC wouldn't turn on...

xhengmanx

iTrader: (57)

hm,m i gota diagnose my car to see why its not working too too... i recharged my ac back when i was goign to school at wyotech in the summer of 07 then when winter came around i didnt use it. but once febuary hit, when i tried to turn my ac on it was just blowing out warm-hot air... any ideas anyone?

PikkaGTR

iTrader: (4)

sounds like a very respectable shop
maybe i'll fix the ac in my talon this summer
its boiling outside

DetailAddict

iTrader: (52)

ah... A/C issue... yes, I had to deal with it many moons ago... glad that Vu is taking care of you.

SpeeDyScooBy

iTrader: (16)

Could've been a leak, but there's a number of things that can go wrong. What you can do is test and rule out what is working before u take it in, such as making sure the compressor works, go get a recharge kit with pressure guage to see if its just low on freon.

While I was at the shop they were working on a miata and the reason the A/C wasn't working was because the pressure valve stem wasn't tightened and leaking. All the mechanic did was tighten the valve stem and problem fixed. GOOD LUCK!

Lorry

Thanks for the info. My A/C failed a couple of months ago. The car has 116k on it so I guess its not surprising that it needs some TLC.

bstyle74

good tip... my a/c crapped out over the winter (tried to defrost while up in tahoe) and its definitely time to fix it before the next heat wave.

MrMakesItRain

iTrader: (14)

are a/c issues common with subarus? i noticed my a/c blows cool at most but even then it takes forever but nothing cold.

DetailAddict

iTrader: (52)

low on r132a?

bstyle74

Even when my wrx was new, I never thought the a/c was very cold. It might be cold for a couple minutes, and then go warm. I read it might be the a/c cycling, or something was freezing over

Irish_car_B0mb

iTrader: (3)

same here. i had mine work good for maybe 3 months after i bought it brand new.

from what i hear the subie is notorious for a/c probs. something with a compression washer breaks alot. and if its not that its something with the lines. i am still under warranty, damn thing would blow cold air and then hot air the other day. gonna go get that **** checked out.

i only have 18k on it and less than 1 year of use. (got it last july) i will let you guys know whats wrong so that you can see if you have same prob.

stupidchicken03

iTrader: (38)

ive only used my AC like 3 times so far this summer.. i didnt have to but the gf kept *****ing lol

DetailAddict

iTrader: (52)

bring it back to the dealership!