AC Compressor Leaking - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

mrv568 · 05-03-2006, 08:49 PM

I have a 1997 Explorer with the 5.0 V8 AWD WITH 206,000 miles on it.
The AC compressor has been replaced twice once for leaking and once for total failure (locked up) this time its leaking again from the front seal of the compressor. I have put in the dye and checked it for leaks with a blacklight.
The leak is terible,I do a full charge and its empty within 10-15 days.
It is defin the front seal on the compressor! My question is Ford says the front seal is not available and i must buy a new compressor. Is this true or does anyone know it the front seal can in fact be replaced? Thanks...

Zulu95 · 05-03-2006, 08:53 PM

Check this out.

http://www.acsource.com/index.asp?Pa...S&Category=326

btimby · 05-03-2006, 08:55 PM

get rid of it!

i took mine out and keep my windows rolled down, still keep cool and get better gas mileage

**Glacier991** · 05-03-2006, 09:40 PM

The 97 uses the FS-10 compressor. The seal is replaceable, but the tools required are not readily available to the DIY'er. Seal replacement on these is not easy, nor reliably done in the field. That is why FORD does not do them.

I have the tools, and yet I'd elect to replace the compressor. Nuff said?

ps. These seals work through black magic, I swear. So much as touching the sealing surface with a finger can cause the seal not to do it's job! I have come to the conclusion seal replacement is a clean room item best done at a reman facility.

But you did get a link to a source for the fs-10 seal. But...you cannot improvise the tools necessary to install it... and several are required.

mrv568 · 05-05-2006, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the input folks!
I wound up replacing the compressor & orifice tube (old tube was very clean)
Got it all charged up with R-134A and it will cool to 38-39 degrees at idle but
only cool down to 44-45 while driving the vehicle.
Is this normal? I though you would get the lower temperature in motion with
all the air flow through the front of the vehicle.
I am getting these temps with the AC on MAX and the blower speed on the next to the highest setting. Thanks for any Input!

**Glacier991** · 05-05-2006, 07:32 PM

It's possible you have either too much refrigerant and are flooding the evaporator at speed, or too little and it's starving. I'd maybe start by removing a few ounces and drive checking it, it it is the same or worse, add an amount double what you just put in and retry.... you may need to fine tune it.

05-03-2006, 08:49 PM	#1
mrv568 Wannabe Elite Explorer WS, North Carolina 97 XLT, 03 Mnt Premier Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	AC Compressor Leaking I have a 1997 Explorer with the 5.0 V8 AWD WITH 206,000 miles on it. The AC compressor has been replaced twice once for leaking and once for total failure (locked up) this time its leaking again from the front seal of the compressor. I have put in the dye and checked it for leaks with a blacklight. The leak is terible,I do a full charge and its empty within 10-15 days. It is defin the front seal on the compressor! My question is Ford says the front seal is not available and i must buy a new compressor. Is this true or does anyone know it the front seal can in fact be replaced? Thanks...

05-03-2006, 08:53 PM	#2
Zulu95 Wannabe Elite Explorer CT 96 LTD V8 AWD Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 170 Vehicle Specs	Check this out. http://www.acsource.com/index.asp?Pa...S&Category=326 __________________ We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring T.S. Eliot. www.pcsad.biz www.pcsad.com

05-03-2006, 08:55 PM	#3
btimby Wannabe Elite Explorer Fort Collins, CO '92 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs	get rid of it! i took mine out and keep my windows rolled down, still keep cool and get better gas mileage

05-03-2006, 09:40 PM	#4
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	The 97 uses the FS-10 compressor. The seal is replaceable, but the tools required are not readily available to the DIY'er. Seal replacement on these is not easy, nor reliably done in the field. That is why FORD does not do them. I have the tools, and yet I'd elect to replace the compressor. Nuff said? ps. These seals work through black magic, I swear. So much as touching the sealing surface with a finger can cause the seal not to do it's job! I have come to the conclusion seal replacement is a clean room item best done at a reman facility. But you did get a link to a source for the fs-10 seal. But...you cannot improvise the tools necessary to install it... and several are required.

05-05-2006, 11:03 AM	#5
mrv568 Wannabe Elite Explorer WS, North Carolina 97 XLT, 03 Mnt Premier Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the input folks! I wound up replacing the compressor & orifice tube (old tube was very clean) Got it all charged up with R-134A and it will cool to 38-39 degrees at idle but only cool down to 44-45 while driving the vehicle. Is this normal? I though you would get the lower temperature in motion with all the air flow through the front of the vehicle. I am getting these temps with the AC on MAX and the blower speed on the next to the highest setting. Thanks for any Input!

05-05-2006, 07:32 PM	#6
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	It's possible you have either too much refrigerant and are flooding the evaporator at speed, or too little and it's starving. I'd maybe start by removing a few ounces and drive checking it, it it is the same or worse, add an amount double what you just put in and retry.... you may need to fine tune it.