AC Question

[chalupabatman]

So I took my 1996 Ford Explorer XLT into the shop to get oil change/tires rotated etc. Well while it's their they tell me that (I believe this is what they called it) my AC manifold, which is half metal and half plastic, where the metal meets the plastic I am leaking AC oil. They recommended getting it fixed before to long or it could cause my entire AC system to crash. They quoted me $480 to fix this.

I thought, why not use google and see if I can do this myself. The problem is, when I google I am not finding an AC manifold part -- just an AC manifold hose assembly, could that be the part that they were referring to? (and if so, how difficult of a task is that to change on your own?)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/300737913319?lpid=82&chn=ps


EDIT ---
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the handy little "pieces" that hold the hood up are busted on both sides so I have to have someone hold the hood open for me while I attempt to investigate. What are those pieces called?! I desperately need to replace them!

 

[J_C]

The pieces are called hood struts, or lift supports. I used Mighty Lift part # E95537 replacing the originals on 7/2004, then again 10/2004, 12/2007, 11/2009. They must have improved them after 2007 because I don't recall having to replace them since 2009, but I also stopped driving it as much so fewer hood openings since then.

Luckily when I first bought them from autozone they had a lifetime warranty but when I went back to get them swapped under warranty I found that they dropped the warranty to 1 yr.
http://www.autozone.com/collision-b...t-support/mighty-lift-lift-support/27127_0_0/

Edit: I am not certain if the same part # applies to a '96. They were only $17 at the time but now might be cheaper on Amazon or Rock Auto and in hindsight I'd pick a different brand.

They still honored the warranty even though there is no mention of it in their system any longer, because it was listed on the receipt but !@#$ autozone uses disappearing ink on their receipts so it's barely legible now and it wasn't even exposed to sun, was tucked in a folder the whole time. Good thing I scanned the receipts a few years back!

 

[chalupabatman]

The pieces are called hood struts, or lift supports.

Are they difficult to change out? I actually just found some for $10 a piece from Summit Equipment.

 

[masospaghetti]

They are easy but get someone to help you hold up the hood while you get them off. There's a metal clip that you pry off, then they just pop off and pop on.

Not sure what they are referring to with the A/C manifold, did they show you where its leaking? The entire a/c system is metal (and rubber hoses) and the only bits of plastic that I know of are the service port caps (which do leak) and the low side pressure switch. Neither of these are expensive or hard to replace.

 

[chalupabatman]

They are easy but get someone to help you hold up the hood while you get them off. There's a metal clip that you pry off, then they just pop off and pop on.

Purrfect, I just ordered 2 and will make it much easier to investigate the AC issue with the hood standing tall on it's own.

Not sure what they are referring to with the A/C manifold, did they show you where its leaking? The entire a/c system is metal (and rubber hoses) and the only bits of plastic that I know of are the service port caps (which do leak) and the low side pressure switch. Neither of these are expensive or hard to replace.

They did not show me where it was leaking. I will call in the a.m. and ask for the exact part name of where it was leaking and see if I can get further insight, and get better guidance from the crew here.

 

[SoHK_alumni]

The only part I'd call a "manifold" on an Expo A/C system would be that hose assembly. the Manifold part would be the part that bolts to the back of the a/c compressor.

But, it's not really a DIY kind of repair unless you've got access to a proper vacuum pump. A "real" set of a/c gauges would help as would a handful of other A/C or HVAC tools.

The hose assembly is darn easy to replace: A spring lock over by the air box, a clamp or two, a single bolt at the a/c compressor and a nut at the side of the radiator.

Swapping the high pressure switch is bone easy.

But...To keep it legal, the refrigerant should be recovered first (tools very very few DIY guys have) and you've GOT to get a good vacuum on the system once it's reassembled to get the air and moisture out before installing either the old, or fresh refrigerant.

Some auto parts houses have the vacuum pump and gauge sets on their loan-a-tool list making the job DIY possible. There's no rocket science to it, just a couple "must have" tools that are outside what's commonly found in a tool chest. Many auto a/c service shops will recover the refrigerant for very little money. If you DIY it, simply use the data plate on the radiator support for how much refrigerant to put in.

 

[chalupabatman]

The only part I'd call a "manifold" on an Expo A/C system would be that hose assembly. the Manifold part would be the part that bolts to the back of the a/c compressor.

Yes, that is the part that they are referring to as the "manifold".

But, it's not really a DIY kind of repair unless you've got access to a proper vacuum pump. A "real" set of a/c gauges would help as would a handful of other A/C or HVAC tools.

A local shop close to me will drain/vacuum it for very little cost. Unfortunately I do not have the "real" set of AC gauges.

The hose assembly is darn easy to replace: A spring lock over by the air box, a clamp or two, a single bolt at the a/c compressor and a nut at the side of the radiator.

Perfect, and I am sure youtube has a step-by-step video just waiting on me to watch also!

 

[ThatExplorerDude]

Haha my 95 ford Explorer has failed lift supports.. Its not much of an issue though.. because I carry a snow brush all year round (its possible to get snow in July...) so I just use that to hold the hood up