My son's 97 Explorer 5.0 L has a frozen compressor. Try as I might, I cannot locate a list of years/makes associated with the FX-15 compressors. Is Black Death only associated with R-12 systems? If so, I am in good shape as his is apparently factory R134 complete with labeling.

Just trying to get a good handle on costs at this point. If Black Death, I am also going to replace the condenser. If it's not Black Death, he and I are going to tackle it ourselves, since I have to assemble the AC on my 48 F-1 and the experience/practice would be helpful. Black Death and I'm gonna use a pro.

 

Black Death was a problem from about 1983 to 1998 or so. Both R12 and R134a systems were affected. Fixing one of those is actually easier than with "normal" compressor failure. You literally just remove everything under the hood, throw it away, flush the evaporator and install new parts. "Firewall Forward" replacement is the current recommendation for a Black Death system, after many years of failed "recommended" repair and flushing procedures that didn't always work.
You can pull the orifice tube to verify if it is Black Death. It will be totally plugged with black particles and black goo along with metal particles. Any remaining oil will be very thin and dark, and will smell funky.
If the debris is just metal particles and/or silver "pasty" goo, you had a "normal" failure. With a "normal" failure you have to totally disassemble the system to flush and repair it. You just reuse some of the old parts.

On your sons 97 you really should replace the condenser, BD or not. Parallel Flow (R134a) condensers are built almost exactly like a coolant radiator, a header on each end and tubes between them. Debris can lodge in one or more tubes and flushing can just bypass the clog via the other tubes. It can then dislodge later and cause damage. Reusing it is a real crapshoot, how lucky do you feel today?
You "can" have a shop pressure flush the condenser, but nobody will guarantee it.
There are also filters that can be added after the condenser, but you have to modify the hoses and will add 2 more potential leak points on the High pressure side of the system. They also tend to leak over time, in my personal experience..
Granted it IS a pricy condenser, about 165.00 from Automotive Air Conditioning Parts & Equipment - ACKITS.COM (ouch!), but there is no harm in finding a used one as long as the compressor on the donor didn't fail. A good used condenser for a 5.0 Explorer/Mountaineer might be tough to find, but you really only have 2 "good" choices, new or good used. The old one will very likely be a time bomb, waiting to waste the money you spent to fix the AC the first time.

Neither repair is "hard" or complicated. You just need to do a little bit of homework before you start, if you have never done AC work before. The same goes for installing the AC in your F-1. AC repair/installation is very doable DIY, you just need a little bit of education to take the mystery out of it (just like any other system on a vehicle). If you did much of the "hard" resto/repair work on your F-1, you will find AC work to be pretty easy. IMHO, the hardest part of AC repair is the actual R&R of some of the parts.

Before you start on either project, check out Automotive AC Information Forum - ACKITS.COM .
Browse through the Procedures, Tips, and FAQ section, then read through some posts on the actual Forum. Tons of info! There are many AC professionals that post there regularly to help out DIYers with AC issues and discuss problems amongst themselves.
I'm not connected with AMA or the Forum in any way. I am a very satisfied AMA customer and the AC Forum is, IMHO, the best MVAC Forum on the 'Net for DIY'ers and Pro's alike.

 

Usually if the compressor locks up then something major has failed inside the compressor.
Black death is a problem with any of the fx 15 compressors. the whole liquid side of the system needs to be changed. including the flex hoses by the compressor, its a one piece that is both gas and liquid lines.

I was able to replace the whole system myself fairly easily. you need to get the redesigned FS 10 compressor which is what i did. but you can go to a sandan which i have heard are much better. you need a new condenser, receiver dryer, orifice, and you will need to flush the evaporator really really really well.

its not that difficult of a project.
Good luck getting it fixed.

 

Thank you very much railroad dude!!

Just what the doctor ordered. You confirmed my thoughts about the condenser. I'm gonna replace it. I only want to do this once.

I found the ACKITS.com website and am impressed with the knowledge base. I'll try the forum.

I did most of the work on my F1 so I am not intimidated by the process of the repair job on the Explorer.