93 Explorer.
System was converted to 134 in November (it had a leaky seal, so shop converted it). Yesterday, very hot outside (97 degrees), driving in town. Heard clicking noise under hood, found parking spot and engine died hard. I though engine seiezed at first by the way engine instanly died. There was power steering oil sprayed under hood, left side, thought it was PS pump at first. Turned off AC switch and restarted engine. Seemed to run allright. Wasn't PS pump (did lock to lock turn). Turned on AC and Instanly, the engine quit hard again, with the belt almost jumping off. Turned off AC and engine started fine.

I am assuming I have a locked up / dead AC compressor, unless one of you tells me that it just might be the clutch ($100). If its the compressor, then I probably have the AC "black death", which means compressor, hoses, orifice, and condenser and flush. $1200 at the shop, $700 for the complete parts kit if I want to do it myself (minus vacuum and refill).

2 shops I've dealt with said just go with the complete changeout (minus the evaporator) since there are probably going to be filings everyware.

Can anyone tell me if the compressor can be turned by hand, or with a strap wrench? (with the serpintine belt off, engine off, and clutch energized manually). This might help me decide if it's the clutch or a locked compressor.

Thanks,
Stuart

 

I have the same problem, but in my 94. Any help would be appreciated

 

Hmmmmmmm..........sounds to me like the conversion wasn't carried out properly. There are still a lot of conversions being done by cutting corners and the result is usually a siezed compressor. Check your local junkyard out for '94 model and try to get all the necessary parts from it, compressor and all. get a new receiver dryer and orifice tube, flush the evap, if it's not replaced, and vacuum the system down. It's been a while since I did mine so I don't remember the correct oil to use but the '94 was the first year with the 134 refrigerant so just use what was required then. I'm thinking with parts and all you could come out of this for less than 250 bucks........best of luck....mike

 

I remember on my 91' I had the whole system changed out, everything. But there was a slight leak in one of the connections so I had to get that fixed, but instead of them using a sniffer they just pumped my system full of dye and tightened it. Well low and behold about 2 weeks later my compressor starting clicking and grinding so we decided to do it ourselfs this time, so bought a rebuilt compressor $120.00 but it on worked fine, 2 weeks later same thing. Well to get to the point I would up going threw 9 compressors before I decided to change out the Orfice and the Evaporator (think that is what it is called the big canister) I took it off and fliped it over, and it was over half full of green dye. So I guess the moral of my story is NEVER USE DYE !!

And yes the compressor should turn freely when new or in working condition!