bryanf Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 My condenser was another "rock victim" (got to be a design flaw here), so I'm attempting to do a $250 fix. I've already ordered and received a $150 aftermarket condenser and drier that, in theory, is supposed to bolt right up (looks like a better, more traditional design than the subaru part that apparently can be damaged by large bugs). My plan is to replace the condenser myself (looks pretty simple) and then find an A/C place to evacuate and re-charge the system for under $100. My question is: Are there any single-use seals (gaskets, washers, o-rings, etc) that need to replaced on the connections between the A/C lines and the condenser? I'd rather have all the parts I need before I start... Thanks in advance... Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarupartsdude Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Bryan,i would replace the o-rings if i were you. Better to be safe then sorry.......like all the freon leak out because of two dollar seals you did not replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanf Posted July 24, 2007 Author Share Posted July 24, 2007 Costs aftermarket condenser (from these http://www.car-stuff.com) $149 O-rings from subaru $10 (yes, that is outrageous) evacuate and re-charge $114 (local shop) For a grand total of $273 Which is a bit higher than my target of $250, but a hell of a lot cheaper than the $800 the dealer wanted. Changing out the condenser was a easy and the after-market one fit perfectly. It took me about 1.5 hrs from start to finish. Toughest part was trying to get the o-rings off without marring the fittings. I'd be tempted to leave the old ones in place if I had to do this again. I think the condenser is better than OEM...traditional steel fin design that has got to be more durable than OEM--it probably weighs a couple pounds more. Everything seems to work perfectly at this point, so I'm declaring success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaStaMooN Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 good find man.. i was victim of the $800 ass raping subaru puts you through already to get my condenser fixed... never again! Jon - vBGarage Profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyglock Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Install a lower grill mesh - priceless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Install a lower grill mesh - priceless you see a log of guys with classic cars do this. put some windows screen over the front of the radiator to catch the garbage. or even anything like the home depot guter guard grills ppl make. would hopfully catch/ deflect or otherwise slow down any garbage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTTuner Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 This is a problem with all cars now. The condensor is so thin and cheap even small rocks can create a leak. Just be sure you don't impede airflow to that baby trying to devise some type of screen. FYI, Freon is a Dupont trademark name for R12. Putting "Freon" in a 134A car makes for a bad day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 correct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-HEF- Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 how do i know if i am a rock victim? my AC is on for a few seconds, and then it blows somewhat warmer air, then on, then off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 get it checked. if you have no pressure then could be a rock or any other leak issue. sounds like you may have a low charge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derffred Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 how do i know if i am a rock victim? my AC is on for a few seconds, and then it blows somewhat warmer air, then on, then off... It's normal... That was one of the first things I've complained about to my Dealer, they said it does that to prevent the Evaporator from over-freezing. Anyway... I just inspected my car for A/C leaks today (it's blowing warm again) at work and confirmed my condenser is fxcked due to a rock I'm wondering since it's such a small pinhole, if it could be repaired instead of replaced... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosco Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 It's normal... That was one of the first things I've complained about to my Dealer, they said it does that to prevent the Evaporator from over-freezing. he really said that? bosco Stay Stock Stay Happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 if the condensor gets too cold it could posibly freeze and block air flow. thats one of the reasons for the compressor to cycle. other then that mine only gets warm after romping on the gas but quickly goes back to normal. this is all normal though. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derffred Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 he really said that? bosco If he's talking about what I'm talking about.. then yes, it actually is normal.. For example on what I'm talking about.. let's say our A/C blows 45 degrees out of the center vents... every 7-10 seconds it'll blow about 50 degrees for a second or two, then go back down to 45.. It's still cold, yes.. but you do feel a slight temperature change every here and there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derffred Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Oh, forgot to update... I think I'm going to "rig" my condenser hole with some JB Weld :X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanf Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 It's been a month since I finished the $273 Condenser fix and I always wondered if the new condenser would be able to keep the car cool at high temps (I live near the coast so it never gets that warm). Well, I took a trip to the mountains this weekend and was stuck in traffic at 100+ degrees with no problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazzydog Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 could you post up some pics of your condenser fix? also where would be a good idea to place some kind of screen to prevent this? i would say this is a suby only problem as my gf's mitsubishi had to be fixed as a result of what the dealer said was most likely a rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanf Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 Sorry, I didn't take any pictures during the install. There really isn't much to show, the new condenser is a more traditional steel fin construction rather than the aluminum OEM. It replaces the OEM perfectly and seems to work just fine. The only downside is that it is a little heavier, but I think it will be less fragile too. I don't have a screen on mine, but if you do a search you'll find a couple threads where people have built screens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.lim Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 im assuming the 2005 can work with the 2007 model? http://www.car-stuff.com/mmparts/subaru-legacy/a-fs-c_condenser.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puckman Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 haha mine just went and the dealer called to say i have a hole in it. any updates on how it's holding up a few months later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puckman Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 also, does anyone know if we have a multi-flow type condenser or a parallel type condenser? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanf Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 I've only had a couple opportunities to use the A/C recently (mostly to defog), but the aftermarket condenser seems to be working fine 9 months later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puckman Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 do you know the exact part number of the one you ordered? thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I just installed gutter guard down on the bottom. http://i32.tinypic.com/2nbhvf5.jpg catches cigarettes and all kinds of crap. I have to clean it out every wash because its picked up so much crap... OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanf Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 Here is what I ordered according to the invoice: 2005 - 2005 Subaru A/C Condenser Price: $149.40 Qty: 1 Part #: P40414M Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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