We have a 4 cyl with 60k miles and the air conditioning had stopped working. We took it to get fixed and they told us the low side hose had a "very slow leak". They suggested we fix both the hose ($500 w/labor) and the valve ($600 w/labor) and the estimate was $1100 total. Obviously I did not do that right away. A couple questions:
1. They said we should fix the valve since it is often related to the hose leaking, but I'm not inclined to do that if I don't know there is definitely an issue. What do people here think?
2. This wasn't my usual repair shop (SF Auto Works) or a dealer, so what is people's opinion on what this should cost?
3. Is this common on Outbacks of this year? I've seen other posts w/similar issues at relatively low mileage.
Thanks