So, I’ve seen a bunch of AC threads lately. Well, at least two of them. I ended up having to replace my AC compressor so I figured I’d give some un-asked for feedback

Ford no longer carries the compressor for our trucks. So I bought one from Advance Auto, made by Factory Air. It also included an accumulator and orifice tube. Was $227 but they had a 20% off deal, plus a $50 rebate in the form of an Advance Auto gift card. Pretty good deal...if it works.

Anyway, on to the install tips-

1. If you don’t like swearing, feeling frustrated, or getting angry at Ford engineers for making this job way more difficult than it needs to be, you are strongly encouraged to pay someone to do it.

2. Flex-head wratcheting box end wrenches are your friend. Specifically in 10mm and 13mm. The 13mm is double super important.

3. Removing the fender liner isn’t necessary, but helps make things easier. And you get to curse while trying to get it out!

4. Definitely remove the bolts for the fan shroud so you can move it around when getting the compressor out

5. Removing the three 10mm bolts for the trans TP filter mount helps with compressor removal clearance as well.

6. The orifice tube is pretty easy to replace. Unless the dealership technician who replaced it a couple years ago put it in BACKWARDS. Then it is a pain in the a**.

7. The accumulator is easy to replace as long as you go ahead and disconnect all the AC lines in the area. Even easier if you don’t have coolant and oil filtration lines in the way like I do.

8. Make sure you have that @&$#ing 13mm bolt already in the new compressor when you are putting the compressor in.

9. Start the bolt for the AC lines to the compressor before tightening the compressor bolts. Otherwise you may have to loosen the compressor bolts you JUST finished tightening...including the @&$%ing 13mm bolt.

10. Overall the job really isn’t that bad. Although it did take me a total of about 8 hours. But I was kind of figuring it out as I went along. I’m sure next time it would take no more than 7.5.

One thing to add- the accumulator that came with the kit was slightly different on the top than the Ford accumulator I replaced. I had to modify the top of the plastic accumulator housing slightly to make it fit. And by modify I mean break stuff off.

 

Oh, forgot to mention how AC is working now. It’s cold.

With the brand new compressor, accumulator, correctly installed orifice tube, and the correct charge of 1.93kg of refrigerant for an Excursion with front and rear AC, the high side pressure was 325psi and low side 40psi. When the fan would kick on high side would drop to 200psi and low side to...man, I forget exactly. 30psi or a bit lower.