Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Gone in 60 on Sun July 29, 2012 11:09 PM

Year: 2005
Make: Ford
Model: Five Hundred
Engine Size: 3.0
Refrigerant Type: R134

Hi all,

New here. I have a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. Recently, I noticed yellow oil leaking out of the bottom of the compressor. The leak is coming from a few spots where the front of the compressor case bolts to the main compressor housing. I don't see any evidence of a front shaft seal leak.

I tightened the bolts around the front of the case - got about 1/4 turn out of each of them, and for kicks, took a small paint brush and put a line of black RTV silicone around the joint between the two parts of the compressor. Still seeing droplets of yellow oil coming out of this joint in the compressor.

The air still blows cold, but I know that it's a real hassle to pull the compressor out on this car. I haven't tried any stop leak products to the low side port, not sure if anything would do any good.

I'm looking to see if there's any way to stop the leak and avoid replacing the compressor.

Thank you!

JJM on Mon July 30, 2012 8:37 PM

Could you post some photos? I thought the 500 used the FS10 compressor, and the only place on the case those could leak is right in the center, where the front and back halves meet. As far as I know, the only leak spot up front on the FS10 is the shaft seal... unless somehow, the leak is coming through the case bolts at the front. Is the leak at the front, or the case halves?

DO NOT, under any circumstances use any stop leak products!!! You'll be replacing a lot more than compressor down the road... you'll end up replacing each and every component the sealer will end up damaging - which is everything.

If you have the proper hand and refrigeration tools, a new FS10 from the site sponsor is a very reasonable $245.00

Joe

Gone in 60 on Tue July 31, 2012 2:44 AM

Thank you for your reply, Joe. The leak is at the joint where the front of the case joins with the main body of the case. It is not coming out where the bolts are, but from the actual joint in the two portions of the case, along the bottom of the compressor. It's about three drops in three different spots along the joint. There is another leak around the diamond shaped plate at the back of the compressor that holds the control valve. There is no oil coming from the front seal/shaft area.

It would be pretty hard to get a camera up in there, since it's buried up between the radiator hose, frame crossmember, etc. Searching the web, sounds like this kind of leak is fairly common for the Five Hundred and sister cars, Freestyle and Montego.

I have read about the effects of stop leak products, and don't want to try them if they do more harm than good. Do you think that replacing the compressor is my only option? If so, I'm a good mechanic, but I've never done a/c repair before. I can remove/replace the compressor and receiver/dryer, but how likely will it be for me to find a shop that will just do the evacuation and recharge without doing all of the labor?

Gone in 60 on Thu August 02, 2012 1:03 AM

So, I took my car to two reputable repair shops in my town. The first said "Yep, compressor". He took my info and said he'd call to give me a price on parts and labor. Haven't heard back from him yet.
The second shop took a look, and the owner said "you know what I'd do? Nothing. As long as the air is still cold, you might as well leave it alone. When the air starts warming up, replace the compressor and dryer". He also said he'd be happy to do the evac and recharge if I wanted to do my own install, so that would save some money.

Quattro on Fri August 03, 2012 11:26 PM

My only concern would be if it's leaking oil, eventually the compressor may be compromised due to lack of lubrication and you'll start getting metal shavings throughout the whole system. Then you'll have to flush it all out. Replacing the compressor before this happens (if this is in fact the problem) can avoid this hassle.

Also, buying a vacuum pump and some good guages is not much more (and in some cases cheaper) then paying a shop to do it once. This is the route I chose, and this forum has been very informative.

With your own tools you will be able to take your time and do a proper job unlike a typical shop.

Gone in 60 on Tue August 07, 2012 3:34 PM

Thanks, Quattro. I'll probably do the work before the air runs warm. This isn't a daily commuter car for me. It's mainly used for family outings, and I'd rather not have the air go warm when I'm on a trip out of town with the wife in the middle of summer. Besides, I'm a maintenance nut, and not one to leave "iffy" things alone on my cars and bikes.

Weighing the vacuum gauges and vacuum pump purchase - I'd still need to have a shop do the evac so I'm not punching holes in the environment.

If I have the evac done, drive the car home, replace the compressor and dryer, and then drive back to the shop (about 5 miles) to have the vacuum and recharge done, will I be harming anything in the system by driving that five miles without the vacuum or freon? Is it imperative that I do the vacuum immediately after install, or can I let a shop do this?