A/C - This should be simple.. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

gensic11 · 07-19-2006, 02:20 PM

Ok I have asked this before, and done much searching, but to no avail. I have had a problem with my A/C for a while now. I got a new compressor like 2.5 years ago when I bought the car used.

Here is my problem..

I can hear the Compressor click on and try to cycle every 3-5 seconds. I am pretty sure the compressor is not bad. From my research on here it seems like i have "low coolant".. I know the pressure guages on the AutoZone cans aren't worth a damn according to everyone but I still put at least 2 whole cans in with no cold air to gain from it. I am doing the procedure correctly.. attached the nozzle - turned on the car, A/C to full blast and loaded in the can. I have a feeling something is clogged and is not letting the coolant to the compressor - or wherever it needs to go to end up through my vents! Has anyone had this similar problem? Do you know a cheap fix for it? I am dreading going to the dealer for them to tell me its gonna be a 500$ job when it could be much cheaper. I havent noticed any leaks or anything of that nature..

EDIT: another thing that seems to be common for my "situation" is the clogged orifice tube.. is there a write-up on where these things are and how to check them? I'm afraid if i start pulling tubes out i'm gonna damage something further..

Please help!! it's like 95degrees here and 100+ after humidity and i'm dying!! lol.

neverhit · 07-19-2006, 03:53 PM

I just went through similar. Go buy a real manifold gauge set. I tried to rely on the 'gauge' on those cans and found out I had too much, so the system was protecting itself and shutting off.

gensic11 · 07-19-2006, 04:02 PM

where and how much?

neverhit · 07-19-2006, 05:32 PM

Kragen wanted $80, but I found one at Autozone for $45. It immediately told me what the pressure was and where it should be.

gensic11 · 07-20-2006, 09:26 AM

OK i went out and looked at the A/C under the hood.. everything looks to be OK except for the circular tube that you fill the freon into.. i noticed when i pulled back the "blanket" that it seemed to be rusted out and it looked a little oily around it.. i'm guessing this part has gone bad and needs to be replaced.. i'm not sure if that's the ONLY problem but that's what i saw from the looks of it.. anyone know how much this would cost to replace? i'm sure it needs to be vaccumed out and refilled and all but i DONT think my compressor is bad.. just most likely that tube piece

gensic11 · 07-20-2006, 10:22 AM

Well I guess im gonna go fork out a couple more hundred dollars and try to get my A/C fixed. I listed my symptoms above... and I will let everyone know what happens. I'm going to Midas to get my tires balanced (24.99) and they are doing an A/C diagnostic for 40$.. i guess that's not bad (37$) cheaper than what ford would diagnose for. Anyway i'll keep everyone updated to see what went wrong. Let's see how close i am

. Check back here tonight around 6:30 or 7 and I should have the details and how much it's going to cost. Thanks guys

**Glacier991** · 07-20-2006, 05:57 PM

That rusted out can is the accumulator. Cost between $50 and $75. You can replace it yourself, but you will need the special tool to release the fittings... a set costs around $8. I'd suggest you then take it to a shop to have it properly evacuated (not vacuumed, but evacuated) and recharged.

gensic11 · 07-20-2006, 07:33 PM

ok i just got the service done.. all they told me was that i was 2 lbs low and needed a recharge.. finally got it recharged and now it's blowing cold as hell.. wasn't too expensive either. i'm going to throw away my POS AutoZone measurer.. i am sure i have a leak somewhere.. the guy at midas told me it could be very small to big and they hooked it up to a "sniffer" and sai there were no leaks found.. so hopefully it's very small.. i just hope it stays that way.. but if not, i have about 3 months of leeway to get a free inspection if anything goes wrong.

I looked under the hood when i got back home and noticed the accumulator had a ton of persperation on it. i'm guessing its because it was so hot, and the accumulator got so cold it created the wetness.. is that correct? also i heard a hissing noise for about 15 seconds after the truck was turned off - sounded like air going through the lines.. is that normal?

**Glacier991** · 07-20-2006, 08:33 PM

You are right about the condensation. In older versions the can was insulated and the moisture was causing a rusting out problem there.

The hissing is most likely the high side and low side equalizing.. that's normal.

gensic11 · 07-20-2006, 08:36 PM

yeah i definitely can see that it's rusting.. which is what's leading me to believe there may be a slow leak on the accumulator somewhere - i'll have to keep an eye on it i guess. i'm just glad that seems to be my only problem - which is a fairly cheap fix if it was indeed the problem.

thanks glacier!

insane3082 · 07-20-2006, 09:05 PM

hmmmmm i was tyrying the same thing i know my compressor works but it seems that when i tried to fill it up it was just not doing it for me. i have the same symptoms try charging it but it feels clogged i sure hope thats my problems too cus im going crazy with this weather.

i will also be reposting wether not it is the problem when i get to it

gensic11 · 07-21-2006, 09:02 AM

ok let us know.. i'm interested

07-19-2006, 02:20 PM	#1
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	A/C - This should be simple.. Ok I have asked this before, and done much searching, but to no avail. I have had a problem with my A/C for a while now. I got a new compressor like 2.5 years ago when I bought the car used. Here is my problem.. I can hear the Compressor click on and try to cycle every 3-5 seconds. I am pretty sure the compressor is not bad. From my research on here it seems like i have "low coolant".. I know the pressure guages on the AutoZone cans aren't worth a damn according to everyone but I still put at least 2 whole cans in with no cold air to gain from it. I am doing the procedure correctly.. attached the nozzle - turned on the car, A/C to full blast and loaded in the can. I have a feeling something is clogged and is not letting the coolant to the compressor - or wherever it needs to go to end up through my vents! Has anyone had this similar problem? Do you know a cheap fix for it? I am dreading going to the dealer for them to tell me its gonna be a 500$ job when it could be much cheaper. I havent noticed any leaks or anything of that nature.. EDIT: another thing that seems to be common for my "situation" is the clogged orifice tube.. is there a write-up on where these things are and how to check them? I'm afraid if i start pulling tubes out i'm gonna damage something further.. Please help!! it's like 95degrees here and 100+ after humidity and i'm dying!! lol. __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm Last edited by gensic11; 07-19-2006 at 02:32 PM.

07-19-2006, 04:02 PM	#3
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	where and how much? __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm

07-20-2006, 09:26 AM	#5
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	OK i went out and looked at the A/C under the hood.. everything looks to be OK except for the circular tube that you fill the freon into.. i noticed when i pulled back the "blanket" that it seemed to be rusted out and it looked a little oily around it.. i'm guessing this part has gone bad and needs to be replaced.. i'm not sure if that's the ONLY problem but that's what i saw from the looks of it.. anyone know how much this would cost to replace? i'm sure it needs to be vaccumed out and refilled and all but i DONT think my compressor is bad.. just most likely that tube piece __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm

07-20-2006, 10:22 AM	#6
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	Well I guess im gonna go fork out a couple more hundred dollars and try to get my A/C fixed. I listed my symptoms above... and I will let everyone know what happens. I'm going to Midas to get my tires balanced (24.99) and they are doing an A/C diagnostic for 40$.. i guess that's not bad (37$) cheaper than what ford would diagnose for. Anyway i'll keep everyone updated to see what went wrong. Let's see how close i am . Check back here tonight around 6:30 or 7 and I should have the details and how much it's going to cost. Thanks guys __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm

07-20-2006, 07:33 PM	#8
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	ok i just got the service done.. all they told me was that i was 2 lbs low and needed a recharge.. finally got it recharged and now it's blowing cold as hell.. wasn't too expensive either. i'm going to throw away my POS AutoZone measurer.. i am sure i have a leak somewhere.. the guy at midas told me it could be very small to big and they hooked it up to a "sniffer" and sai there were no leaks found.. so hopefully it's very small.. i just hope it stays that way.. but if not, i have about 3 months of leeway to get a free inspection if anything goes wrong. I looked under the hood when i got back home and noticed the accumulator had a ton of persperation on it. i'm guessing its because it was so hot, and the accumulator got so cold it created the wetness.. is that correct? also i heard a hissing noise for about 15 seconds after the truck was turned off - sounded like air going through the lines.. is that normal? __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm

07-19-2006, 03:53 PM	#2
neverhit Wannabe Elite Explorer AZ 97 XLT Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	I just went through similar. Go buy a real manifold gauge set. I tried to rely on the 'gauge' on those cans and found out I had too much, so the system was protecting itself and shutting off.

07-19-2006, 05:32 PM	#4
neverhit Wannabe Elite Explorer AZ 97 XLT Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	Kragen wanted $80, but I found one at Autozone for $45. It immediately told me what the pressure was and where it should be.

07-20-2006, 05:57 PM	#7
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	That rusted out can is the accumulator. Cost between $50 and $75. You can replace it yourself, but you will need the special tool to release the fittings... a set costs around $8. I'd suggest you then take it to a shop to have it properly evacuated (not vacuumed, but evacuated) and recharged.

07-20-2006, 08:33 PM	#9
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	You are right about the condensation. In older versions the can was insulated and the moisture was causing a rusting out problem there. The hissing is most likely the high side and low side equalizing.. that's normal.

07-20-2006, 08:36 PM	#10
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	yeah i definitely can see that it's rusting.. which is what's leading me to believe there may be a slow leak on the accumulator somewhere - i'll have to keep an eye on it i guess. i'm just glad that seems to be my only problem - which is a fairly cheap fix if it was indeed the problem. thanks glacier! __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm

07-20-2006, 09:05 PM	#11
insane3082 Wannabe Elite Explorer Chicago 2000 XLT Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 80 Vehicle Specs	hmmmmm i was tyrying the same thing i know my compressor works but it seems that when i tried to fill it up it was just not doing it for me. i have the same symptoms try charging it but it feels clogged i sure hope thats my problems too cus im going crazy with this weather. i will also be reposting wether not it is the problem when i get to it

07-21-2006, 09:02 AM	#12
gensic11 Have u seen my baseball? Evansville, IN 1997 XLT Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 857 Vehicle Specs	ok let us know.. i'm interested __________________ 1997 XLT 4x4 v6 SOHC 86,XXXmi Billit Grille, Rain/Bug Guards, Nerf Bars Sony CD Player w/ 12" Sub, all new Infinity Speakers OCU Baseball #11 http://www.oak.edu/athletics/baseball/frontpage.htm