De-Bugging the AC in Subie.

No AC in Subie getting you down?

There is nothing like a 95+ degree day to remind you how nice it would be to fix the AC in the car.   Subie's AC has been intermittent for the last two years.   At first I thought it was because I overfilled the AC ( which I did not....but remember, I'm an idiot)

This Gap is WAY too big.

  After finally finding the motivation to dig further and do some research, I discovered that a possible hangup is a small spacer in the clutch assembly.  It looked easy enough to at least take a look at.   And wouldn't AC feel nice on my new daily commute to Iowa City for Pearson?

Lets remove this Clutch.

After removing the covers,  I learned that the clutch could easily be removed with a set of three 5mm bolts.   I threaded them in and "pop!"  Off she came. I can not possibly convey how simple that was.   I would have been very unhappy trying to pull that clutch off any other way.  Simply astounding!

That was easy!  Almost Too Easy...

With the clutch off, I was able to give it a closer look.  I see that the gap between the clutch and pulley was enough to allow a spider to set up shop near the screw mount.    Not shown ( because I forgot to take a picture) was me measuring the gap.   I learned that Subaru has a tolerance of .45 mm to .15 mm gap between clutch and pulley.   Mine was definitely larger than .45mm!  on to the next phase.

I have BUGS in my AC!

Remove  small Spacer from center post.

I took out the small spacer ( looks like a really thin washer) and pressed the clutch back into place.   I got really lucky on this one.   Not only did I guess right on the 5mm bolts,  But I also accidentally purchased 8 mm bolts  that I ended up using to push the clutch back on.  And here I was thinking I messed up buying extra bolts for nothing.

Clean up the clutch back  Note uneven wear

I cleaned up the clutch a bit and noted that there is a bit of uneven wear on one side.  I'm not sure how big of a deal this is,  but it beats purchasing a new compressor. ( $600!)    I'll have to keep that in the back of my mind if it acts up again.

Let's Fill 'Er Up!

Middle of the Zone.

But does it work?   Yes!   Cold air comes out generously now;  with the clutch engaging and disengaging when I push the button.  I should also note that I checked the gap with the shims and found that the new space between the pulley and clutch is perfectly between .15 and .45 mm. Next step is to top off the coolant.  Fairly easy.  Infact, I still had some refrigerant from two years ago.   I finally get a chance to use it up.

Cold enough for Ice Cream now.

So now I get to drive a Subaru that can double as an Ice Cream Truck!  Just kidding.   It is not that cold...but Cheryl did mentioning taking him out for Ice Cream later. Hopefully the AC will provide enough chill so we can enjoy the Ice Cream before it completely melts.

Stormy Days in Iowa

Wind and Rain and Hail..Oh My!

Yesterday,  a cold front came through with all the Panic and Hoopla that any Weather Channel junkie would swoon for.   The day started out fine, but mid-afternoon, the sirens blared and the phones beeped with warnings and emergencies.

30 minutes before the storm

It was a strange sight. The sun was out, and the air was calm.  There was only a small dark cloud in the distance that hinted at a storm.  The warning was for about a half hour, so we continued to score.

Dark skies in the distance.

Eventually the storm arrived and blew  some strong gusts.   Nothing terrible...no downed trees or branches.  The rain was pretty strong too.   We even got a little bit of pea-sized hail!  Fun!

Rain!  Glorious Rain!   I think this is what is mean by "coming down in Sheets!"

Thankfully only pea sized.

Ice in the hand

I'm happy that we did not lose power, have a tree fall on us or have the hail bash our car.  Subie is old enough without being battered by Mother Nature.

Cheryl runs

Better than THIS!

Other than that, the battle to score as much as possible continues.   Both Cheryl and I have had full weeks.   I have not been able to finish the tune up on Subie because of the lack of time.   We still manage to squeeze in an early morning run as well, although the distance is usually shorter.

Wardrobe change

Through the hills.

Speaking of the tune up!   I think my cleaning out the throttle body worked!   I really need to do a "complete job" though.   And perhaps I will have the opportunity this weekend.

 In the mean time, Subie no longer stalls at stop signs and idles consistently around 700 rpms.   The gas pedal sticks now, and I'm sure it is because of my "expedient clean" job.   I really need to take the throttle completely off for a proper cleaning.

Adventures with The Great Ethan Allen And Silver Bullet Subie. The Changing of the Oxygen Sensors.

Oxygen sensor location

O2 Sensor removal tool

I have to admit,  this entire thing made me nervous.  Every time I attempt something that has never been done before ( by Me)  on the Subaru, I feel a little apprehension.  I lack the tools and confidence... mostly the tools, to take on projects that are tough or complicated.   If a bolt breaks, or a part is frozen into place,  I'm sunk.... and so is Subie.

I'm not sure what bad looks like, but this might be it.

And so it goes with that pesky O2 Sensor.   Subie has been stalling at key moments when I try to make left turns (usually in front of a very big truck!) and at fuel ups.   Today, however,  he stalled when we got off the highway.   ( something new.   And scary!)  I have been Stalling by putting the O2 sensor replacement on a back burner even though I have the parts have have thoroughly researched the installation process.

So why am I so Chicken?    Couple of things.   One: The part requires I get under the car.   I lack car jacks, so I ended up using cinder blocks for support.  In case you know even less than I do,   these are not the best things to support your car with.   I know this and did it anyway, which makes me a candidate for a Darwin Award if the darn thing came crashing down on top of me.

Compare. Which one looks better?

Old plug left all the "white parts" inside the female Plug.

Then there is the plugs, electronics, breaking the sensor free, and possibility of damaging something that is not broke.   I have done all of these things at one time or another.  Usually because I did not have the proper tool and was attempting a "work around".  (Or was too stupid to know my own limitations.....)


But, Surprisingly! it all worked out.  I managed to prop up the car without squashing myself,  I removed the tire and was able to access the front 02 sensor and break it free.   Easy!

New O2 sensor installed.

The slight hiccup happened when the plug would not fit.   After several choice words,  a minor fit, a sudden downpour of rain, and a grain of sand in my eye,   I finally figured out that the "guts" of the last plug were stuck inside the female end,  preventing the new plug from seating properly.   One needle nose pliers  surgery later and I was back in business.

Time for the back O2 sensor.

Slightly different.  No problem? 

Then there was the rear O2 sensor.   Slightly more challenging to get it loose, but I managed it.  I was a little concerned that the actual parts did not match up identically,  But the NAPA guys says that should not matter. ( we shall see about that.)

At least the "Pig Tails" match.

No "Check Engine" light!

So,  time for a test run,   Reassemble everything, start up Subie, and take it around the block.   Check Engine Light is GONE! YEAH!

In celebration, we head out for a victory Sundae.  And  half way to Kalona, the Check engine light returns.

Ice Cream!

Yumm!

It's Back!  Like a bad rash.... but at least Subie Runs better.

The good news is,  No stalling,  And we have eliminated 5 codes by changing the O2 Sensors.  Only a P0030 Code remains and we may have to hunt that one down later. Maybe I simply have to wiggle the plugs, who knows.   As long as the O2 Sensors have been replaced and Subie runs without stalling,  I'm OK with it.

The Great Ethan Allen.... Brake Master!

Cheryl runs

Master might be a little over the top.    How about "successful brake repair".  When things go well for me  (Which is rare.) I tend to think that I'm awesome instead of simply "lucky".   I can't help it that I have to keep my Tremendous Ego in Check.

Into the Trees!

Down the path

Into the sun.

Today, I had a rather successful day.  It started out in the usual fashion, with Cheryl running a short 3 miles and us hitting the usual haunts.  But, with no scoring project going on today, I found myself with some free time that I could spend doing my very own projects.  And so I decided to tackle them head on with no help from outsiders.   Because I'm a Do-er!   And Do-er's get things Done!  ( Or at least attempt them until something goes wrong)

Little Help From Mr. Screwdriver

Subie Needs Brakes

I weighed my options and used a coin flip to choose the very best project to take on first.  The Subaru Rear Brake Shoes!

Hmm   Brake shoes a little worn.

New Shoes Installed.  BAMM!

I was prepared for a serious battle.    Last year, the front Brakes on Subie took three weeks to pull off!   I had to wait for parts, deal with obstacles, Wait for parts again! And ultimately do an "over the top" job on something rather simple.  But the knowledge gained was valuable.... somehow.

Passenger side Now.  

More help from Trusty Screwdriver

I discovered that my Anti-seize that I applied last year had done its job and the bolts were a snap to remove.  (meaning easy,  Not "snap" oops! it broke...)  I focused on the brake shoes for this round, because I knew I would not have time for new rotors or slide pins.   As it turned out,   even the slide pins came out easy.

New Shoes Installed.  BAM!  I'm on fire!

With the driver side finished, I focused on the passenger side.   I had not "attempted" this side last year, so I thought the bolts might give me a problem, but no such issue arose!   I had both sets of brakes removed, and replaced within an hour.   Most of that time was spent getting the wheels off and setting up!  My confidence was soaring!

Old Brake Shoes need replacing

With an AMAZING job completed ( amazing because no disaster happened under my leadership!)  I chose to take on the next job.   My Bicycle!



These brakes are a little different.  And it ended up throwing a wrench into the well oiled machine I thought I was operating.

New Shoe Installation. Repeat behind.

Instead of things working normally,  I had to do a little "Modification" to the cable to adjust the performance. ( A fancy way of saying I had to destroy everything and bandage it back together.)  In the end, it worked out and I now have new brakes (shoes)  on the Bike.   Mission:   Successful!

Now I "simply" have to adjust the cable.  Not so simple. 

Not wanting to press my luck. (Because,despite all the bravado, I know most of my success is due to luck)   I chose to hold off on the Oxygen Sensor.
  That, And the fact that I spent about three hours talking to the neighbor about cars.   The O2 sensor needs to be attacked from under the car.  At least that is what the YouTube videos say. To do this, I will need to jack it up higher than usual. I was going to ask for some Car Jacks, but the neighbor was using them on the three cars he is currently working on.   Yadda Yadda Yadda and now it is too late in the day to attempt it.   Maybe tomorrow.

Wisconsin Beer!  

In the mean time,  Cheryl and I celebrated her Unofficial unofficial Race results with some Wisconsin Brewing Beer!  Spotted Cow and Capitol Amber.   Both are excellent!

Monday will bring the end of my Pearson Project.  I'll have to see what other options I can go for.   Until then,  I still have a few projects to occupy my time.  Hope everyone else is having a wonderful Sunday.  Thanks for stopping in.