2015 Forester cycling to much

[abunaione]

First post here. Hope I can get some help/suggestions.

2015 Forester. Manual A/C system.
Evap blew. Seems to be common with these cars.
Replaced it along with the TXV.
Could not find the filter bag for sale anywhere.
Evacuated it for over 1/2 hour.
At idle readings seem normal. Vent cold.
At 2000rpm, clutch cycles to much to me.
I'm thinking the filter bag might be dirty.
Can I run it without the filter bag??????
Any idea if the bag on these can even be changed????

[Cornbinder89]

Lets start with pressures, and temps both at vent and ambient at idle and at 2000 RPM.
Since this is a Tx system it doesn't cycle the clutch like a CCOT system, so it shouldn't cycle on and off often. It has a temp sender.
I can't find much on the system either.
We need to know if it is cycling because of high pressure or because of low evaporator temp, pressure readings will help with that.
I haven't seen a replaceable desiccant "bag" since the VIR days of the early 70's

[abunaione]

I'm almost sure the bag is plugged.
At 2000rpm the low goes below 15 and the clutch kicks off.
High is not that high at 250.
At idle low is 30-35, high is 130-150.
Vent temp is ice cold.

I have a feeling on this one the whole condenser needs to be changed.
Looks like these years forester have a problem with the A/C system.
Condenser, compressors, both have modified parts to fix defects.
Both are warranty fix, but only while under warranty.
Evaps seem to blow up ofen.

On some newer HVAC the bag can be changed.
Never done one, but the bags are for sale.

[Cornbinder89]

Remember the "filter" is to remove moisture, not "filter debris" from the system. Sounds to me the system is working as it should, the compressor is kicking off to prevent icing of the evaporator core.
You didn't give any temps, so I can only infer from what you are saying.
I deal mostly in heavy trucks, but have not seen a "bag" for sale outside of NOS kits for the VIR system. All others I've seen use a replaceable receiver drier combo

[abunaione]

Thanks for the input

I remember the old VIR systems.
The best system was the old POA system.
Temp at the center vent is 40-50.
According to some pictures of the bag driers, there is a screen attached to the cap, on the bottom.
The bag just slides in.
I'm not comfortable with the way it working.
Cycling to much for me.
System looked clean when opened. Blew out the lines. Nothing.
Added 2oz to the new evap when replaced.
I think I'll see if this one has the cap on the bottom of the drier tube.
If it does, I just might take the bag out, and see what happens.

[Cornbinder89]

The old systems were designed so the clutch never cycled, once A/C was called for, the clutch stayed in, the temp was controlled by limiting the evaporator pressure. It used more energy as the compressor always ran. Also the valving (different mfg had different names for the same thing) was expensive compared to a simple temp switch to cycle off the compressor.
Most newer Tx systems use a frost switch to control evaporator temp. Doing so requires cycling, based on evaporator temp.

[abunaione]

Went out and worked on it.
Removed the drier bag.
Bag was black on the bottom. Still in one piece.
Didn't see any corrosion in the tube.
Recharged it and it seemed to be better.
Vent temp reached 40 and steady.
Comp cycled once after a while at 2000rpm..
At idle readings were about the same.Steady at 30 and 140.
At 2000 went down to 15 and steady, high went up to 250.
Didn't have a fan blowing from the front, so I think the reading would be lower when moving.
Forgot to put the fan in front last time too.
Maybe it was OK after all.
At least now I know. I'm happy with it.
Going to replace the condenser as I still cant fine the drier bag.
Need to order from Rock Auto.
Only dealer has one on island. Way to expensive.

[Cusser]

When doing actual driving, does the AC compressor still cycle too much?

[abunaione]

Haven't taken it out on the road.
Waiting for the condenser to come in.
Don't feel safe running it much without the filter.
TXV is so rubbish sensitive, don't want to have it plug up.
Thinking back, the filter might have been plugged.
Why else would the evap burst.
Factory system, and some have had problems with it blowing up.
But I'd have to think, it had to be high than normal pressure that did it.
Old evap wasn't corroded.

[Cornbinder89]

Once again, the "filter" only removes moisture, not debris. Screen , if present is there to contain descant if bag ruptures, not stop metal . Evaporator is on the low side of the Tx so will only see low side pressure, so not much higher than 125 psi.
If you have "rubbish" in the Tx then you need to solve that problem.

[abunaione]

I'll feel better changing the drier bag, but couldn't find it anywhere.
Even the dealer said the just change the whole condenser.
So ordered a new condenser.
Was cheaper than I thought it would be, even with the shipping.
Rock Auto.

[abunaione]

Condenser came in.
chinese made. Mounting holes didn't line up.
Lucky had enough so I could drill holes bigger.
After that it fit fine.
Noticed it wouldn't hold a vaccumn.
Checked everything, checked the gauges.
Found the high side coupling leaking.
Replaced the o-ring, but no good.
Probably time for a new gauge set.
Left only the low side on and pulled vaccumn again.
This time it held.
Charged and all is good.