AC out / High Mileage

[GeauxRenee]

Trying to decide whether to replace the AC in my 2017 Forester 2.5i with 175,000 miles or to consider buying another vehicle. I live in the south, so the AC is a necessity, not a luxury.

Due to a recall, the AC Condenser was replaced by the Subaru dealership at no charge in 2021 (1 year warranty). In August 2022 I had freon added by a private mechanic because it was blowing but the air was warm. (I understand that it’s a closed system and freon should probably not be added). That lasted until this summer when I started noticing it was blowing warm air again. The quotes I received:

1. Subaru dealership: OEM Evaporator and Compressor for $3000 w/ 12 month/12k miles warranty on parts and labor
2. Subaru dealership: OEM Evaporator and After-market Compressor (to save me a little money) for $2400 (parts-only warranty on compressor)
3. My private mechanic (the one who had added freon three years ago) quoted an Aftermarket AC kit (including Evaporator, Compressor, and Condenser) for $3000 with a limited lifetime warranty (covers parts, not labor). The other notable issue is that I’ve had to replace front axle shafts and rear hub assemblies a handful of times from 2019 to 2022, so I don’t know if that will continue to be an ongoing issue. Does anyone have any experience with replacing the AC in a high-mileage Forester? Pros/cons? Any strong recommendations for either OEM or aftermarket parts? I’m not dying to buy a new vehicle, and I would be fine continuing to drive my Forester, especially if I could get another 75,000 miles out of it. Thanks!

 

[bmart]

Why not replace the three parts on your own with new O-rings and just have it charged?

 

[digitalsly]

Trying to decide whether to replace the AC in my 2017 Forester 2.5i with 175,000 miles or to consider buying another vehicle. I live in the south, so the AC is a necessity, not a luxury.

Due to a recall, the AC Condenser was replaced by the Subaru dealership at no charge in 2021 (1 year warranty). In August 2022 I had freon added by a private mechanic because it was blowing but the air was warm. (I understand that it’s a closed system and freon should probably not be added). That lasted until this summer when I started noticing it was blowing warm air again. The quotes I received:

1. Subaru dealership: OEM Evaporator and Compressor for $3000 w/ 12 month/12k miles warranty on parts and labor
2. Subaru dealership: OEM Evaporator and After-market Compressor (to save me a little money) for $2400 (parts-only warranty on compressor)
3. My private mechanic (the one who had added freon three years ago) quoted an Aftermarket AC kit (including Evaporator, Compressor, and Condenser) for $3000 with a limited lifetime warranty (covers parts, not labor). The other notable issue is that I’ve had to replace front axle shafts and rear hub assemblies a handful of times from 2019 to 2022, so I don’t know if that will continue to be an ongoing issue. Does anyone have any experience with replacing the AC in a high-mileage Forester? Pros/cons? Any strong recommendations for either OEM or aftermarket parts? I’m not dying to buy a new vehicle, and I would be fine continuing to drive my Forester, especially if I could get another 75,000 miles out of it. Thanks!

Why not replace the three parts on your own with new O-rings and just have it charged?

Calculate the balance of 75000 mi. Versus the cost of repairs (3000). Are you willing to pay $25 per mi?

 

[Matt42]

Is the car in otherwise good condition? Have you kept up with drain & refill of the CVT at circa 60,000 mile intervals?

 

[hankstar]

Calculate the balance of 75000 mi. Versus the cost of repairs (3000). Are you willing to pay $25 per mi?

Math seems a little off.

 

[Matt42]

Math seems a little off.

Works out to 4 cents per mile, if my arithmetic is right.