My 1998 Ford Explorer air conditioner is leaking. I moved to Las Vegas and this summer the automatic temp control stopped blowing cold air. I went to a lube-n-tune place and they said "we'll put freon + dye in the system, so that way if it leaks out quickly, we will know where". Well, after agreeing to this the recharged the system and put in dye. It lasted maybe one month in the July sun.

So now, I've accepted the fact that I'll probably need a serious replacement of some parts in the A/C system. Although I could consider taking it back to lube-n-tune, I was seriously considering going to my local FORD dealer and having factory/Ford parts and service done.

At one time I read on a recall site that some ford a/c compressors had service advisory/bulletins about them, and I thought that this included my model/year car. Because of this, I was wondering if I could even begin to think that Ford would cover any or some or part of the A/C fix work.

So my real questions are:
1. Any idea on what I might pay to have a new compressor and a fixed leaky piece or two? Ballpark?
2. Is it worth going to Ford to get factory service/parts?
3. What kind of price diff would you guess between budget place like lube-n-tune and Ford dealer. (my initial hesitation with budget place was that I'd have some lackeys (non trained techs) working under my hood and no knowledge of quality of parts that insert (compressor)
4. Any commments on the recall on the ford a/c compressor.

Mark H.

 

Mark
If you have the r-134a sys. You can fix it your self. All the 134 stuf is over counter. If you have time and tools.

 

R-134a sys. do have to be charge once year or topped off. Need to do mine.

 

I just had a complete AC system overhaul on a 99 Contour by Ford under extended warranty and it was a major sticker shock.
Dealer replaced compressor, accumulator/dryer, orifice tube, and condenser coils along with various seals and flushing of system. Total price was around $1400. My best guess is that it can be done for 1/2 to 2/3 of that price by AC specialty shop and less if you do the labor yourself. Just a thought, but why would anyone think an oil change shop would be a good place to get AC work done.
IMHO, parts are parts. I do not see that the Ford original is any better than the rest of what is out there. If it was, we would not be rebuilding their systems every 4-5 years of operation. In fact, aftermarket parts may be better than original in some cases.
Just a few thoughts
Dialtone