(Moderator: Please transfer this to the appropriate forum if necessary.)
The A/C compressor on my 2015 CVT (10,000 miles) failed on me this past week. It appears that there is a known problem with one A/C compressor part number used on some Subarus in model years 2014 - 2016.
For a couple weeks I had been hearing a “moaning” whenever the compressor’s clutch engaged (rather than just the usual “Click--Whirr”. Sometimes the moaning was mild, but other times it was louder. I noticed that the engine drag from the compressor engagement was more than it was last summer. Drag seemed worse if the moaning was louder. Towards the “end”, if the A/C clutch engaged when I was descending a slight grade, the drag was about the same as when I would do a one paddle downshift on that same stretch of road.
Tuesday (the 5th of July), whilst out running errands, the noise and drag seemed more pronounced and I made a mental note to call the dealer for an appointment. Within ½ mile of that decision, while stopped at a light, there was a “POP” from under the hood and a light grayish cloud of something came out. A quick divert to a parking lot was followed by a 4 mile trip to the dealer. No appointment slots were available, so I had to wait until Friday morning.
From the repair invoice: “Found compressor relief valve is opened. Checked and found compressor failure due to A/C clutch failed. Advised customer clutch failure was source of smoke and liquid was excessive condensation on the lines from the clutch failure [* See my note below]. Removed and replaced A/C compressor with updated part."
Of interest is the “updated part”. Though I didn’t take a note of the old A/C compressor part number, it probably was 73111FJ040. The new compressor is 73111FJ041, as verified online and by checking the part number of the unit installed on my car.
Owners of some XVs and Imprezas might want to check the part number and date portion of the serial number on their A/C compressors and be attentive to noises if they don’t have the updated model. Here is a link to a site that discusses the problem and the VINs where the upgraded A/C compressors were intalled.
New A/C Compressor / Clutch Assembly – 2014-2016 Subaru (Make sure your Ad Blocker is OFF.)
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View of my new compressor "in situ".
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The compressor label. The first five digits of the serial number are supposed to be:
6 = 2016
04 = April
00 = Day (My calendar doesn't have the 00th of April...)
I know there have been comments in these forums regarding apparent engine lurch as XV’s A/C compressors turned on and off – some of them going a few years back. I also get the sense that some of you got the “They always do that” from the service departments. Check the link to see (a) if your VX is in the date range (b) is prior to the VIN that switched to the new A/C compressor, and (c) check the label on the A/C compressor for Subaru part number and the date of manufacture.
[*Note: Can I call BS on this? If it was smoke I would have smelled it when I popped the hood less than two minutes (and less than 200 feet) after the event. If there was “excessive condensation on the lines” (from the rapid discharge of coolant when the compressor relief valve opened?), I would have likely would have seen condensate still on the hoses at that time.]
The A/C compressor on my 2015 CVT (10,000 miles) failed on me this past week. It appears that there is a known problem with one A/C compressor part number used on some Subarus in model years 2014 - 2016.
For a couple weeks I had been hearing a “moaning” whenever the compressor’s clutch engaged (rather than just the usual “Click--Whirr”. Sometimes the moaning was mild, but other times it was louder. I noticed that the engine drag from the compressor engagement was more than it was last summer. Drag seemed worse if the moaning was louder. Towards the “end”, if the A/C clutch engaged when I was descending a slight grade, the drag was about the same as when I would do a one paddle downshift on that same stretch of road.
Tuesday (the 5th of July), whilst out running errands, the noise and drag seemed more pronounced and I made a mental note to call the dealer for an appointment. Within ½ mile of that decision, while stopped at a light, there was a “POP” from under the hood and a light grayish cloud of something came out. A quick divert to a parking lot was followed by a 4 mile trip to the dealer. No appointment slots were available, so I had to wait until Friday morning.
From the repair invoice: “Found compressor relief valve is opened. Checked and found compressor failure due to A/C clutch failed. Advised customer clutch failure was source of smoke and liquid was excessive condensation on the lines from the clutch failure [* See my note below]. Removed and replaced A/C compressor with updated part."
Of interest is the “updated part”. Though I didn’t take a note of the old A/C compressor part number, it probably was 73111FJ040. The new compressor is 73111FJ041, as verified online and by checking the part number of the unit installed on my car.
Owners of some XVs and Imprezas might want to check the part number and date portion of the serial number on their A/C compressors and be attentive to noises if they don’t have the updated model. Here is a link to a site that discusses the problem and the VINs where the upgraded A/C compressors were intalled.
New A/C Compressor / Clutch Assembly – 2014-2016 Subaru (Make sure your Ad Blocker is OFF.)
View of my new compressor "in situ".
The compressor label. The first five digits of the serial number are supposed to be:
6 = 2016
04 = April
00 = Day (My calendar doesn't have the 00th of April...)
I know there have been comments in these forums regarding apparent engine lurch as XV’s A/C compressors turned on and off – some of them going a few years back. I also get the sense that some of you got the “They always do that” from the service departments. Check the link to see (a) if your VX is in the date range (b) is prior to the VIN that switched to the new A/C compressor, and (c) check the label on the A/C compressor for Subaru part number and the date of manufacture.
[*Note: Can I call BS on this? If it was smoke I would have smelled it when I popped the hood less than two minutes (and less than 200 feet) after the event. If there was “excessive condensation on the lines” (from the rapid discharge of coolant when the compressor relief valve opened?), I would have likely would have seen condensate still on the hoses at that time.]
