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Need Help With AC Compressor

gdodgen on Sat August 09, 2008 11:15 PM User is offline

Year: 2003
Make: Ford
Model: Mustang GT
Engine Size: 4.6

Ok, I need some help. The AC compressor pulley on my mustang seized up and as a result my serpentine belt broke. Air does not blow cold. The belt snapped just as I was pulling into my driveway at home so it is where I can work on it. I am trying to avoid paying to have it towed to a shop if I can just fix it myself. My questions are, if I buy the compressor and replace the belt can I then drive it to the garage to get it recharged withot damaging the new unit? Is there a pressure valve to bleed off the pressure before taking the old compressor off? How long will it take to complete the swap? Will most shops recharge it if I did the install and decompression myself? Basically, is it going to be time consuming enough to where I would just be better off having it towed to a shop and done professionally? The compressor can be purchased at Autozone for about $230...any help would really be awesome, thanks.

Chick on Sun August 10, 2008 4:01 AM User is offlineView users profile

You can get a new one right here for less, along with Accumulator and O rube which is most likely a LOT cheaper than you can get it..But, pull your O tube out and check it. That will help determine if the system needs to be flushed. Was the compressor making noise before it seized, It could have been just a pulley bearing failure, but if it was more, the insides of the compressor can be thru the system.. It's against the law to "bleed" the refrigerant into the air, so can't advise you to do that..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

gdodgen on Sun August 10, 2008 10:58 PM User is offline

So are you saying that I may not need to replace the entire compressor unit? And I can replace the bearings and pulley or whatever without bleeding the coolant?? Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant on this subject!

befuddled on Sun August 10, 2008 11:46 PM User is offline

Sure, Fords are not too difficult. There are a couple of snap rings. But, you need to know why it failed. Disconnect the belt. You should be able to turn the compressor by the outermost end of the clutch. If it turns smoothly, it is worth trying a new clutch, IMO, others may disagree. But, it could have issues inside. I had a 92 Merc that the clutch stopped engaging. I swapped the clutch, and the compressor made a lot of noise, but I just beat on it, and it worked ok for as long as I needed it to. It was originally an R12 unit converted a little shabbily to R134a. It lost its charge due to a sandblasted condenser. It got a new condenser, dryer, o-rings, oil and a charge. I do not believe anything got flushed.

If you got the 4.6, the compressor is down under. Don't be stupid about working under the car. It is best to have the wheels on a ramp. Jacks are a big no no, and I do not trust jack stands. Nothing wrong with all three at once.

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