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Have a 2002 F250 Powerstroke 7.3L diesel with 350k miles. The AC worked a little when I first got it but stopped holding charge. Been that way for a few years but I am interested in fixing it.
The local AC shop says they will only replace what is leaking/broken at the time and the job could run up to 1500 or more. Maybe they don't replace a component that is almost ready to fail or start leaking, then I have to spend another chunk of money all over again.
I looked on Rock Auto and found these prices (all Motorcraft parts):
Compressor with clutch part# NYCC15: $250.99
Condenser part# 6C3Z19712AB: $201.79
Drier/Accumulator part# YF37399: $83.79
Evaporator core part# YK199: $106.79
Blower motor part# MM852: $38.79
Orifice tube part# YG346: $4.47
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total of parts above: $686.62
Has anyone tried replacing all components in the system with new Motorcraft parts as a DIY job, then taking the truck to get filled with coolant? Are any components hard to get to that would make DIY a RPITA? Any other gotchas or considerations?
If it's only losing charge I would charge it up with some dye and look for the leak before buying any parts. The AC systems on these trucks are pretty stout. It could be as simple of a fix as a $0.50 o-ring.
Beef **** (lol) is 100% correct. Unless your money is burning a hole in your pocket, add some dye and use a black light to find the leak. Replacing every single component is a HUGE a waste of time (which is more valuable to me) and money.
If a system hasn't been run in a few years will any parts need to be replaced anyway (such as the dryer)?
Fair point - You should always replace the dryer if you crack the system open. I would find the leak first though, don't replace the dryer until you are ready for final charge.
Eventually took it to a local shop that only works on car A/C, and only on domestic cars. They do a lot of fleet work.
They convinced me to only replace what was broken. I don't have the invoice anymore but they didn't do a lot - they did not replace condensor, compressor or anything major. 4 months later it stopped working so I brought it back. They fixed it for free, no idea what they did again its been a couple years and I don't have those receipts anymore. I seem to recall them saying a seal they installed was put in wrong.
The next spring I noticed that the AC once again stopped working. I was so frustrated I just drove around with no AC for the past year.
I moved to a new city but they don't have a shop that only does car AC.
I'm tired of paying to have it fixed, often with a week out of not using the truck, only to have it fail again right after.
If I had a vacuum I'd honestly prefer doing this myself since I know I'd do it right. And I wouldn't fight myself over getting all new components just to be done with it.
I have intermittent A/C and my truck is 2002 F 250 CCLB XLT. I lived in NY until 2017 and I rarely used the A/C because it was flaky. Now, I looked at the condenser and it's beat up, crushed fins and damaged tubing within. None of my A/C parts were ever changed, 218,000 miles. Living in Florida now, i will be changing the condenser, dryer, Orifice tube. I am betting the parts are just worn out. Yes, I charged it with a can of A/C pro and tested the pressure which was okay but it barely pumps out anything colder than 63 degrees. Going to order parts from Ford soon.
The wife's Excursion that has dual air...big system...had been leaking a bit. I would have to put a can or 2 in it come spring, but would last through the summer. I did this for several years until it eventually got to the point where that moved up to every couple of weeks. I felt like it was time to tear into the system but also had a suspicion that the o-ring for the high side at the schrader valve was the culprit. I knew in order to find the leak I would need to add some dye to the system. I found a product that had the dye, oil, refrigerant, and rubber conditioners in it for about the same price as just the dye. I figured, what the heck, I'll give it a go. I put in a can of the Supercool product, then added additional refrigerant cans to get the pressures where they needed to be. Depending on the temperature outside, it now blows low to mid 40's out the dash vents. Now remember, the Excursion dual air system is probably twice the size of a regular typical F250 Superduty system, but it worked! I bought additional cans to install another in the Excursion and maybe one in my F350 given it's all original with 200k on the clock. I was skeptical about stop leaks given their reputation, but after researching there are 2 different types nowadays. One helps condition soft rubber parts while the other plugs holes in the hard lines once it hits air. It's the second product that can clog up a system. For $7 a can it's worth a try...
Local diesel repair shop is installing the components now. They said the evap coil was half plugged with dirt, and condenser as you can see, looks beat to hell. They also found a broken electrical connector that they are replacing. No regrets going all in on new A/C
old / new blower motor and fan
new / old hose set
new compressor
evap coil housing cover before & after cleaning
Evaporator coil old / new
They cleaned the old evap coil to get the insulation off of it, that's why it looks new in the pile of old parts below.
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