Car Forum World

Cost efficient way to service Air Conditioner in '97 Subaru Outback?
Mileage now at 112,000 and AC is intermittent at best. Does the dealer do a great job with this but charge an arm/leg ? Other expertise outfits? What questions to ask to be sure they fix once/for all? How long should car AC units usually last?

it may JUST NEED R 134A , WHICH U CAN purchase A ANY vehicle STORE OR WALMART, IN A RECHARGE KIT, , may BE WORTH A attempt BEFORE U TAKE IT TO THE DEALER..

Yeah, you could attempt the home kits but I do not trust them. you may want to research some shops and see if they'll diagnose it free of charge. it may need more than just a recharge. may be compressor or evaporator. I do know a recharge should be around $70 at a dealer.

as owner of a 97 outback with a 145,000 miles,and mechanic could just need a recharge.u do not have to use the dealer although you could just attempt a small local shop have them dye it and recharge it and if it stops again they can trace it with the dye it'll glow under black light for them to see, then they can tell you what is leaking or wrong.and I never replaced and a/c compressor when I worked on them for five years

I used a home recharge kit for air conditioning, they cost around 40$ and really work well. I could attempt that 1st, dealers will charge 100$ or more just to tell you what is wrong without fixing it.

You could use the home kit.but if it's overcharged it wont work well either.That is the problem with those.If the system is completly empty you could put two cans in provided they're twelve oz cans.

you may be able to look for wet or oily spots on the condenser in front of radiator and on the lines,compressor and reciever drier on right strut tower,looks like a silver cylinder with two lines and switch at top. common is the condenser and the orings where the lines screw to parts.

it'll cost abot 100.00 for recharge at dealer,but they see these cars everyday and know what to look for.