2015 Forester AC Compressor Leak

[CarbonToast]

AC went out on the Forester this week. The oil stain on the pulley and spray pattern around it tells me the shaft seal failed. Hoses and condenser all look dry.

I was going to replace only the compressor, hose orings, and recharge. But got to thinking the hoses and condenser are 10 years old.

What would you do?

Is worth $80 to have new hoses and condenser?

 

[berniedd]

I'm a minimalist, I would replace just those that really have to be replaced. But that's just me.

 

[CarLuver]

if you have the equipment to recharge it yourself, i would just replace stuff as needed . if taking to a shop i would do it all at once

 

[dkryan]

“…….But got to thinking the hoses and condenser are 10 years old.

Is worth $80 to have new hoses and condenser?”

Yes!

 

[Capt W]

But got to thinking the hoses and condenser are 10 years old.

Which has no bearing on anything. I'm running original 20+-year-old, leak-free hoses on my Caravan. All R134a hoses are of the barrier variety, so if they're not physically damaged/leaking there's no reason to replace them. They're not tires or drive belts...

Is worth $80 to have new hoses and condenser?

Eighty bucks for hoses (suction and discharge) and a condenser? At this price point, you are definitely talking about some Chinese aftermarket parts from Rock or Amazon. So you want to replace perfectly functional OE parts with aftermarket crap? Not a good move.

I could understand replacement if you actually needed the parts and didn't want to spend the dough for OEM. But replacing good parts with inferior-quality replacements for no reason makes little sense.

Replace the compressor (and the desiccant!), vacuum the system, and refill.

 

[D60]

I fixed the a/c on the Mad Max '15 Forester after the deer strike which caused it to become the Mad Max version.

Ultimately I just replaced some leaking o-rings, and I did do the expansion valve at the firewall because it's stupid easy.

I was going to replace the orifice tube for good measure until I saw what a PITA that would be, and just left it.

Vehicle has ~210k miles now but I can't swear the hoses are OEM as she bought it at 140k. The deer hit didn't damage the condenser but somehow just the impact seemed to cause a leak because a/c worked before

 

[LazyDog]

Plus you do not the quality of after market stuff, just replace what it needs

 

[Chris142]

If the old hoses and condenser are ok there is no reason to replace them

 

[CarbonToast]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to replace the minimum to quality for the ac compressor warranty. The four seasons compressors have a 2 year warranty vs. 1 year on UAC and GPD

IMPORTANT A/C COMPRESSOR WARRANTY NOTE: All compressors returned for defect must show proof of purchase of an A/C Orifice Tube (or A/C Expansion Valve), A/C Receiver Drier/Accumulator, and A/C System Flush or a Work Order showing the purchase of these items and that the system was flushed.

 

[Marcozi]

You really need to replace the drier.

I'm not surprised that four seasons requires all that proof of part and work.

 

[dishdude]

You really need to replace the drier.

I'm not surprised that four seasons requires all that proof of part and work.

The drier should always be replaced, but the other stuff is only needed if the compressor came apart and contaminated the system. In the case of a shaft seal leak, none of that is necessary so I wouldn't bother with it just for a warranty on a compressor.