I need to replace the AC compressor in my 02 F150 due to it leaking excessively. I plan to replace the orifice tube and the accumulator at the same time.

What brand compressor do you guys recommend?
The price varies a lot depending on which brand is bought and rockauto has several brands. My tendency is to buy the Motorcraft.

I assume the correct OE orifice tube is the BLUE one?

I don't plan to replace the condenser because the failure in the compressor is the seal and not the internals coming apart.

Any advice given will be appreciated.

 

Well, I guess you guys don't do your air conditioning work yourselves.

I didn't order from rockauto because I was afraid I wouldn't order the correct part. Autozone and NAPA show Denso compressors available to order but both informed me that they were not available. So, in the end, I found that Advance Auto and NAPA were the only ones that had their house brands in stock so I bought a NAPA compressor, accumulator and blue orifice tube today. Hopefully, I can get started on replacing the parts tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

 

I am in the same boat...my compressor is noisey...it's the clutch making all of the noise...I'm at about the point that I am going to dig into it and replace the compressor, and that main line...

I have been looking at O'reilly, and they sell Murray...I don't know if it's any good or not...my system also won't hold a charge very well...it takes refrigerant, but leaks it out over a few weeks...and it's real hot here right now...I put a can of refrigerant with dye in it tonight...I expected to see dye all over the place, but am having a hard time finding the leak, since the dye kinda dripped when I disconnected...

Hope the Denso parts work for you! I may check NAPA...

 

Like I stated Denso compressors are not available. The NAPA labeled compressor I bought is made by Four Seasons as I was told at the store. Looking on rockauto, I could have bought a Four Seasons kit that included compressor, accumulator, orifice tube, oil, all for much less than I paid. But, I didn't know what to buy and it's hard to know if you are ordering the right parts on rockauto. In my case, I can see where it's leaking at the compressor. And when the refirgerant gets low, the compressor starts making a noise audible insdie the truck.

 

LOL! Sorry, I realized that after I posted...

I'll have to check the pricing on Rock Auto...I ordered parts a few years ago for my girlfriends 4Runner...the shipping was very expensive through them, because the parts were coming from several locations...

 

Update. I put a can of dye in the AC system and I can't find any leaks. I thought the compressor was leaking because the starter cable located under the compressor was greasy. Now, I'm suspecting the evaporator to be the leaking component. I'm not sure I want to tackle an evaporator replacement. Probably megabucks to get someone else to do it. Maybe charge it and trade it on a new F150!?!?!?

 

Update. After putting in a can of dye, I couldn't find a leak. So, I have been adding a can of refrigerant about once a month. Last week I got back from a 15 day almost 6k miles truck trip to Wyoming. Today I changed the oil and filter that was a little over due. While under the truck I noticed there was quite a bit of oil below the compressor on the steering link. I first thought it was engine oil but after getting the oil changed and crawling back under to take a better look I could see the green dye in the oil. So, this confirms it is indeed the compressor leaking. I had returned the compressor, accumulator, orifice and pag oil to NAPA so I need to buy again. The napa guy said their compressor was made by Four Seasons and rockauto has a complete kit that includes a Four Seasons compressor and everything I had bought before for about half of what napa charged. So that is the way I will go this time.

 

Roadie,
When I pulled my engine I had a local radiator/ ac shop discharge my ac system before i started my work. They noted how much r134a they removed and when I had the engine back in I had them replace the o-rings at the compressor manifold (that's where we opened the system and plugged it) I was all in around $130 but my memory fails me. It would've only been $75 but replacing the o-rings added to the bill, plus minimal additional r134a. So I don't think it should cost an arm and a leg if you have a shop fill or double check your system.

 

Thanks for the help. I'll take another look tomorrow to see if I can determine if it is leaking at the hose connections on the compressor or the compressor shaft seal. My compressor tends to make a little noise when the refrigerant gets low so it may need replacing anyway. But, it's been doing that for years and my AC has been leaking since I bought the truck in 2009 and the noise isn't getting any louder. It started with a can per summer added and then 2 cans and slowly got worse until now a can is needed every 3 or 4 weeks. I would have repaired it but I couldn't find the leak. Now I know sort of. I have a full gauge set and a vacuum pump and I've been charging systems for decades when needed. I've also replaced a couple compressors over the years.

 

I used the Four Seasons kit from Rockauto on my 97, so far so good. Quality seemed OK...

 

Thanks slfalco for the feedback. To see the hose connections on the compressor, I think I will have to remove the right side fender liner. I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

I pried the inner cover up out of the way enough to do the job, did not have to remove it..