firefly1246
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- November 23, 2010
- Messages
- 172
- Reaction score
- 18
- City, State
- Greenville, SC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '04 EB
Hey Guys,
So it is super hot (in the 90s in SC) and I need to replace the air conditioning compressor on my v8 4x4 '04 Explorer. Can anybody offer any advice on the easiest way to remove the compressor? It doesn't appear going through the top is an option, and it looks really tough to go through the bottom. The only thing I can think of is removing the fan and radiator and hoping there is enough room. I have searched and searched and can't find any related post for the v8 explorer. i have mostly found info for the v6 (which appear to be pretty easy) or people that just paid a mechanic.
Background: Truck has 145k miles on it and a year ago I was having intermediate a/c issues. I traced down that the clutch engagement wiring had been rubbed through near the oil pan which is typical of the v8 explorers. My plug had also been replaced in the past by the PO as they had a poor attempt to repair it in the past and their fix failed again. I also replaced my cycling switch as it was cheap. I also checked the a/c clutch gap and found it was too big, so i ground .015" off the clutch shim. My A/C then worked great for about 6 months. My next issue i found was the wiring inside the A/C clutch was shot and if I touched the plug on the compressor with a screwdriver(or anything else) the A/C would work until the next big bump down the road. I guess the wiring has finally completely failed cause now the compressor clutch will only engage if i hold a screwdriver against the plug and disengage once I release the screwdriver. So instead of paying $100 for just the clutch assembly, I poneyed up the $150 for the whole A/C compressor from Amazon (I know big spender). The compressor looks like a pain to remove and would prefer not have to do it again in the near future.
Thanks guys!!
So it is super hot (in the 90s in SC) and I need to replace the air conditioning compressor on my v8 4x4 '04 Explorer. Can anybody offer any advice on the easiest way to remove the compressor? It doesn't appear going through the top is an option, and it looks really tough to go through the bottom. The only thing I can think of is removing the fan and radiator and hoping there is enough room. I have searched and searched and can't find any related post for the v8 explorer. i have mostly found info for the v6 (which appear to be pretty easy) or people that just paid a mechanic.
Background: Truck has 145k miles on it and a year ago I was having intermediate a/c issues. I traced down that the clutch engagement wiring had been rubbed through near the oil pan which is typical of the v8 explorers. My plug had also been replaced in the past by the PO as they had a poor attempt to repair it in the past and their fix failed again. I also replaced my cycling switch as it was cheap. I also checked the a/c clutch gap and found it was too big, so i ground .015" off the clutch shim. My A/C then worked great for about 6 months. My next issue i found was the wiring inside the A/C clutch was shot and if I touched the plug on the compressor with a screwdriver(or anything else) the A/C would work until the next big bump down the road. I guess the wiring has finally completely failed cause now the compressor clutch will only engage if i hold a screwdriver against the plug and disengage once I release the screwdriver. So instead of paying $100 for just the clutch assembly, I poneyed up the $150 for the whole A/C compressor from Amazon (I know big spender). The compressor looks like a pain to remove and would prefer not have to do it again in the near future.
Thanks guys!!