2022 Subaru Forester AC keeps failing hours after recharges. Need advice before going back to the shop for the 3rd time.
Hey everyone, looking for some advice on a frustrating ongoing AC issue with my 2022 Subaru Forester.
Timeline & Symptoms:
Initial Failure: AC stopped working out of nowhere. Took it to a mechanic, who said the condenser was bad and replaced it.
First "Fix": Worked fine for about 2 weeks, then completely died and blew warm air again.
Second Visit: Took it back. They checked the compressor, claimed there was no leak, but blamed a "faulty O-ring/gasket" and replaced it, then recharged the system.
Second "Fix": Worked for about 1 week, then died again.
Current State: Charged it up this morning, and by evening it was completely dead again.
The shop keeps telling me "no leak found" during their quick checks, recharging it for free, and sending me on my way, but it's bleeding out its entire charge within hours now.
Has anyone run into this specific issue on this generation of Forester? Could it be a missed connection on the new condenser lines, a failing expansion valve, or something else entirely? Any advice on what to force the mechanic to check next would be huge.