Cost to replace A/C compressor/clutch
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 60
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Cost to replace A/C compressor/clutch
Hi. It's getting hot 
Any suggestions on what would be a realistic installed cost (I'll behaving a repair shop do it) for replacing the AC compressor and clutch in an 03 Explorer + recharging the coolant?
Appreciate thoughts.
Any suggestions on what would be a realistic installed cost (I'll behaving a repair shop do it) for replacing the AC compressor and clutch in an 03 Explorer + recharging the coolant?Appreciate thoughts.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,316
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Once upon a time, a clutch swap and refrigerant top off cost me an hour in the shop and a whole $90.
Maybe you make out easy, but my price was back from around 2005. Clutch coils are a sore thumb on Fords.
That’s why you get on the phone and ask.
Maybe you make out easy, but my price was back from around 2005. Clutch coils are a sore thumb on Fords.
That’s why you get on the phone and ask.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2003
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That's actually an excellent question. The answer is I'm not sure, and maybe they aren't - and I should have thought of that. The AC has been offline for more than 10 years, and I think that I was told by a mechanic back then that it was the compressor/clutch. But I really need to get the whole AC system looked at. Would be nice if it was a simple recharge. Probably more than that after 10+ years though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
I would pressure up the system with compressed air at this junction, see if the lines are valid and the switches com on line..
If the system comes up, do a deep vacuum and/or flush with nitrogen.
Charge the system with the appropriate refrigerant and some dye.
If the system comes up, do a deep vacuum and/or flush with nitrogen.
Charge the system with the appropriate refrigerant and some dye.
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Cross-Country
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
That's a new one to me (as is charging with compressed air). I'm genuinely intrigued by what the nitrogen flush accomplishes that a deep vacuum does not. I think of nitrogen as typically being used because of how "dry" it is, and I understand that to be the primary purpose of the vacuum as well, with the side benefit of performing a gross leak check.
Since I recently made an adapter to allow me to recharge the air suspension on my Ram 1500 (which uses the same fitting as the R-134 low pressure quick connect) I'm thinking maybe it can serve double-duty to pressurize A/C systems with free air to help check for leaks. I wonder if a cylinder leakdown tester would have enough resolution to test for leaks under pressure versus gross leaks under vacuum....
-Rod
Since I recently made an adapter to allow me to recharge the air suspension on my Ram 1500 (which uses the same fitting as the R-134 low pressure quick connect) I'm thinking maybe it can serve double-duty to pressurize A/C systems with free air to help check for leaks. I wonder if a cylinder leakdown tester would have enough resolution to test for leaks under pressure versus gross leaks under vacuum....
-Rod
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
The reason I suggested a nitrogen flush was to shorten the vacuum time on the system as it has been contaminated with atmospheric air.
I have used compressed air to locate leaks many times to avoid the discharge of refrigerant to the atmosphere.. It also assists in moving the oil and any dye around the system..
I have used compressed air to locate leaks many times to avoid the discharge of refrigerant to the atmosphere.. It also assists in moving the oil and any dye around the system..
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