Bad A/C compressor?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: southern california
Bad A/C compressor?
I took my truck into BG auto today to have them use Frigifresh in the A/C system to get rid of the smell . They called me and said my compressor was bad. The tech said he found metal shavings and couldn't clean the system until the compressor was replaced.What indications would the A/C give me that the compressor is bad? The only problem i've noticed is that it isn't as cold as it used to be, but wouldn't that be because the coolant is low? When i turn on the A/C it sounds fine.I hear a click every minute or so, but i think that is normal.I just want to make sure i don't need to actually replace the compressor. My truck is a 1999 F-150 4.2 5 speed with 62,000 miles.Thanks. 
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Paoli, PA
My air conditioning was just not working at all when my compressor got messed up. I know next to nothing about cars but apparently the belt was turning the compressor even when it wasn't supposed to be.
As for metal shavings, I have no clue where they'd be from.
As for metal shavings, I have no clue where they'd be from.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,295
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From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
Frigifresh is intended to reduce odors in the air handling portion of your HVAC system. It is not used in the sealed portion of the system.
From your post, it is implied that the tech had to have been working on the sealed system, perhaps checking the system pressures and charge levels as part of a system performance check included as part of the service. An interesting question to ask him would be how he determined that shavings were present since you can't see any such thing from a set of guages.
The sealed portion of the system is the only part of the system that would have metal shavings from a failing compressor in it. Ford's compressors in years past have developed a certain reputation for internal compressor wear ("black death"). When these compressors grenade, metal fragments make their way throughout the system resulting in very expensive AC repairs.
My recommendation is to take the vehicle to a reputable shop that specializes in AC system repairs. Explain the situation to them and obtain an expert second opinion.
If there are indeed metal shavings already in the system, a simple compressor swap is a recipe for disaster. All particls would need to be cleaned from the system. That means a complete back flush of the system, likely replacement of the accumulator and orifice tube, and installation of an inline filter in addition to the replacement compressor.
Again, get an expert second opinion from a specialist.
Something does not add up. My suspicious, cynical nature says that they may be trying to take you. Of course, I don't have enough details to state that firmly.
Steve
From your post, it is implied that the tech had to have been working on the sealed system, perhaps checking the system pressures and charge levels as part of a system performance check included as part of the service. An interesting question to ask him would be how he determined that shavings were present since you can't see any such thing from a set of guages.
The sealed portion of the system is the only part of the system that would have metal shavings from a failing compressor in it. Ford's compressors in years past have developed a certain reputation for internal compressor wear ("black death"). When these compressors grenade, metal fragments make their way throughout the system resulting in very expensive AC repairs.
My recommendation is to take the vehicle to a reputable shop that specializes in AC system repairs. Explain the situation to them and obtain an expert second opinion.
If there are indeed metal shavings already in the system, a simple compressor swap is a recipe for disaster. All particls would need to be cleaned from the system. That means a complete back flush of the system, likely replacement of the accumulator and orifice tube, and installation of an inline filter in addition to the replacement compressor.
Again, get an expert second opinion from a specialist.
Something does not add up. My suspicious, cynical nature says that they may be trying to take you. Of course, I don't have enough details to state that firmly.
Steve
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: southern california
Bad A/C compressor?
They are supposed to be a specialist shop, but i will definitely take it elsewhere to get a second opinion. The tech quoted me a price of @645.00 just for the compressor before labor of installation and cleaning the system.Thanks for your reply. 