Need help with AC fixing/servicing

[John Rambo]

Hey guys
So one of the AC lines in the engine bay got cut by an aftermarket part rubbing against it (my fault), and all of the refrigerant leaked out a while back. I figured I would fix it after winter as I had other things going on and didn't really need the AC to be working.

Now that it's starting to get warmer, I am looking into fixing it.

I ordered a new line from Subaru, but doing some research online revealed that since the system has been "open" for some time, I would have to replace the receiver drier as well, and I can't simply fix it by creating a vacuum within the system via a vacuum pump and then adding the correct amount of refrigerant after replacing the line. This is because the receiver drier will have been destroyed by the moisture that is inside the system since the AC line was cut and opened.

I think on our cars the AC condenser has the receiver drier built in (tube along the side of the condenser) that said, I'm not 100% sure. My question is do I have to buy a brand new condenser for the car? I don't even know if a used one would work, considering when it was taken off the car it's receiver drier would be shot too... And how do I go about figuring out how much refrigerant oil to add? I'll probably end up taking it to a mechanic at this point but I want to know exactly what needs to be fixed so I don't get screwed over.

TL;DR AC system has been open for a while, besides fixing the leak do I need to replace any other parts like the condenser with a brand new one before recharge?

[White64Goat]

If you search on the forums, you will find the shop manual for the car. I'd research that to locate the receiver drier (if this car even has one). I've never seen a R/D built into a condenser, it should be a separate item. It will have to be replaced (if there is one). I'm so used to working on older cars that had that cannister near the firewall. I just looked at my BRZ and for the life of me, I don't see one, but that doesn't mean there isn't one, I'm just not sure where it might be.......

Harbor Freight sells a vacuum pump for $99. Don't try that air operated thing they sell, it is a piece of junk.

If it is actually part of the condenser, a used one would work as long as the system was still pressurized before you removed it and you close off the ends once removed and reinstall it immediately and pull a vacuum and recharge it.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

If you search on the forums, you will find the shop manual for the car. I'd research that to locate the receiver drier (if this car even has one). I've never seen a R/D built into a condenser, it should be a separate item. It will have to be replaced (if there is one). I'm so used to working on older cars that had that cannister near the firewall. I just looked at my BRZ and for the life of me, I don't see one, but that doesn't mean there isn't one, I'm just not sure where it might be.......

Harbor Freight sells a vacuum pump for $99. Don't try that air operated thing they sell, it is a piece of junk.

If it is actually part of the condenser, a used one would work as long as the system was still pressurized before you removed it and you close off the ends once removed and reinstall it immediately and pull a vacuum and recharge it.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Thanks for the help. I downloaded the shop manual and I notice that they refer to the "cooler drier" and the "condenser ASSY" (condenser assembly) in separate occasions in the troubleshoot section, but in the diagrams listed for parts they don't actually label the cooler dryer anywhere, and I can't find a part named "cooler drier" (or "cooler dryer," as they use both spellings in the shop manual)

If anyone else wants to chime in here and help me out I'd really appreciate it.

[Amaya]

On a lot of newer automotive a/c systems the receiver/dryer is just a cloth packet housed in one side of the condenser (it's kinda like those packets that say "do not eat" that are in beef jerky but bigger). This makes the system less expensive and lighter weight. There will be an access plug on the bottom of the condenser, unscrew that and the r/d is inside. It may be a little difficult to get the old one out, a long pair of needlenose pliers is handy. Try not to tear the packet up to much or it can be really difficult to get some of the bits out. The new r/d packet will come sealed in plastic and should include a new seal(s) for the plug, or sometimes a while new plug. Should be a pretty easy job to replace it.

[Amaya]

Oh, and you shouldn't need to add refrigerant oil as most of that usually stays in the compressor where it's needed (unless the manual says differently). As far as how much refrigerant to add there will be a sticker somewhere in the engine bay that will give the specifications for the a/c system, it should tell you how much by weight and what type of refrigerant (I think there's a new one that's come out since I stopped working on cars). If you do this yourself make sure you use a vacuum pump before adding the refrigerant. You should let the vacuum pump run for 10-15 minutes, this gets rid of air but more importantly it removes moisture and lets you know the system doesn't have any major leaks instead of wasting refrigerant to find out. Also too much refrigerant negatively affects the cooling ability just as much as too little refrigerant so use the amount they say as a rough guide. Automotive shops usually have a machine that can add and take away the refrigerant and use a thermometer to gauge what level achieves the coldest air temps. If you do this yourself a set of a/c gauges is real handy as the pressures are a pretty accurate way of gauging temperatures and when the system is full. Often times the gauges will not only have pressure measurements but also an approximate temperature reading for a given refrigerant.

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by Amaya

On a lot of newer automotive a/c systems the receiver/dryer is just a cloth packet housed in one side of the condenser (it's kinda like those packets that say "do not eat" that are in beef jerky but bigger). This makes the system less expensive and lighter weight. There will be an access plug on the bottom of the condenser, unscrew that and the r/d is inside. It may be a little difficult to get the old one out, a long pair of needlenose pliers is handy. Try not to tear the packet up to much or it can be really difficult to get some of the bits out. The new r/d packet will come sealed in plastic and should include a new seal(s) for the plug, or sometimes a while new plug. Should be a pretty easy job to replace it.

Thanks for the explanation! I looked at some pictures/video of the AC condenser in different videos/pictures of the car with the front bumper removed, and I could not see an access port to find the desiccant element (I think that's what the built-in receiver/dryer is called) so I went ahead last night and ordered a new condenser, but if you are sure that there is an access plug at the bottom I can go ahead and cancel the order for the condenser! Thank you very much!

I should be able to order any desiccant element, right? Are they pretty universal? Because I can't find a direct Subaru part for it anywhere for our cars specifically...

[Amaya]

I went and looked at my car to be sure and it looks like it is what I was talking about. Here's a pic through the grill of the tube where the desiccant will be.

It might be hard to see the plug because it's almost flush with the bottom but it's there. As far as whether the desiccant is specific or generic I'm not sure. Easiest thing to do about that is call the parts department at a dealer and tell them what you need.

[Amaya]

This thing, just to be clear

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by Amaya

This thing, just to be clear
Attachment 106769

Thanks a lot for your help. Wish I could see my condenser like that, mines covered up by an intercooler and an oil cooler..