Problem with 04 outback

[PT Doc]

I have a Subaru Outback 2004 with about 50k miles.

I have noticed a few things today:

1-A drop or 2 of oil like consistency under the car. I popped the hood this afternoon and saw the following (with plastic cover on the engine): oil on the ACH77S hose that looks like it comes from the radiator and enter the engine from the driver side. Same looking wetness on the ACH87S hose (this hose is much thicker in diameter.

2-A/C does not work but rather i heard a weird noise from the vents.

3-This has been going on for the past few months intermittently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hope this doesn't turn into a large and expensive repair.

Are hoses like this easily replaced without special tools?
Thanks

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You need to remove the engine covers to find exactly where the oil is leaking from, and what kind of oil it is. (Engine oil, ATF, power steering fluid?)

What noise does the AC make? Does it make the same noise when you put the heater on? It could be the blower motor in the heater box.

 

[scotte6]

Check out this forum. I have gotten alot of good help from here. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Looks like the A/C hoses are leaking......
If so you need evacuate the system of the refrigerant using recovery machine...
Then replace the hoses assembly.... I believe napa can make these hoses..
Some cars form OEM have dye in the refrigerant, Use a UV/black light..

 

[PT Doc]

After further investigation from above the car and below I found the following:

1- With engine cover off, the only seepage/wetness is seen on the ACH77S and ACH87S hoses. The 87S hose wraps around toward the passenger side as it nears the firewall and there was some wetness there. When wiped with a paper towel, it is just dry and black. I tried the A/C today and it didn't work but didn't make the noise that it did yesterday. Also pressing the A/C button does not put load on the engine and make it slow down for a moment.

2-Drops under car were definitely from oil pan plug. It was slowly leaking. Last oil change 3K ago by me, so this is weird but I tightened it up and will recheck tomorrow.

Any ideas from here? Maybe check A/C fuse? There is a high and low blue capped port for the A/C lines. IS it possible to buy some refrigerant and see if it takes a charge?

Again thanks for the help.

 

[outlander800]

These subaru's have a crush washer that goes on the oil drain plug and needs to be changed everytime the oil is changed. Its a very similiar washer that is on a spark plug. You should be able to pick up the correct gasket from an auto parts store and if not go to the dealer to get the right one.

 

[PT Doc]

These subaru's have a crush washer that goes on the oil drain plug and needs to be changed everytime the oil is changed. Its a very similiar washer that is on a spark plug. You should be able to pick up the correct gasket from an auto parts store and if not go to the dealer to get the right one.

Thanks for the info. I found out about the crusher when I bought the subie @16k miles and change it every 5k when I change the oil with syntec.

Any suggestions about the weeping ac hoses? Thanks

 

[outlander800]

The ac system has pag oil in it that lubricates the compressor. Chances are the hoses are shot and need to be replaced. I would have an ac tech throw some refrigerant in it and sniff it. Probably the reason it wont turn on is because its out of refrigerant and the pcm wont turn the compressor on.

 

[pipsters]

I'm surprised, Subarus are generally regarded as high quality cars. I am really surprised that they chose to use A/C hoses that fail in only 6-7 years. Is this something that is typical on many cars?

 

[PT Doc]

The ac system has pag oil in it that lubricates the compressor. Chances are the hoses are shot and need to be replaced. I would have an ac tech throw some refrigerant in it and sniff it. Probably the reason it wont turn on is because its out of refrigerant and the pcm wont turn the compressor on.

Thank you very much for the recommendations and suggestions. I'll call the deal let tomorrow and get some price quotes. Thanks.