• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

A/C Exploded!


Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
I almost bought a new compressor but I just had to try the original. My biggest fear is that the compressor will seize and smoke the belt and then I would be stranded. Still think I'll buy a compressor by-pass pulley, just in case. I always carried a by-pass pulley and a spare alternator in my chevy work truck and they saved me on several different occasions.
 


ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
I almost bought a new compressor but I just had to try the original. My biggest fear is that the compressor will seize and smoke the belt and then I would be stranded. Still think I'll buy a compressor by-pass pulley, just in case. I always carried a by-pass pulley and a spare alternator in my chevy work truck and they saved me on several different occasions.
I have a bypass pulley in storage. My truck came with a pile of old parts from a engine swap (power steering pump, fuel rail, sensors, etc.) and one of the items was a bypass pulley which makes me think the compressor came from the old motor.

---

I found a UAC suction/return line for $45 on ebay... I'll try that. The line that quit on me is also a UAC (the issue is I botched the install, not necessarily bad parts), and $45 beats $130 for a new compressor (or $60ish for a used one). I would have gone for GPD but they cost like double the price.

If I get it in time, maybe I won't need to replace the receiver drier? Or should I ebay yet another one of those just to be safe?
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
I think I would just pull a good vacuum on the system like you've been doing. Amazon had everything I needed but would not ship the line that had the orifice tube built in to it. AutoZone would mail it though. Anyhoo... success will come, eventually.
 

ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
I think I would just pull a good vacuum on the system like you've been doing. Amazon had everything I needed but would not ship the line that had the orifice tube built in to it. AutoZone would mail it though. Anyhoo... success will come, eventually.
I sure hope so. Ugh.
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
Chin up! You have a great work ethic. As many times as you've pulled that system apart... I probably would have given up and taken a sledge hammer to it.
 

ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
AC line came in. Went ahead installed it. Didn't want to go in straight but this time I was careful to look before I torqued and nailed it this time. Held vaccum for 30-45 mins, and that was after rotating the compressor a few times during the test. Charged up OK, so that's good. No bad compressor noises or indications of compressor trouble. Time will tell I guess...

BTW, here's what the busted manifold looks like:



I missed half the Burr. Even if I had seen the burr and filed it all, I doubt it would have worked.
 
Last edited:

Denisefwd93

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
2,261
Reaction score
74
Points
48
Location
South East PA
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
stock, may get leveling springs in front "somday"
Tire Size
235
You sure have had problems with connections! that is a mess! good you got it fixed!
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
Hooray! Hope it holds.
 

ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
Already leaked out... :dunno::annoyed:

My guess is either the new shaft seal (my compressor's shaft had a worn groove where the seal rides) or maybe the schrader valve on the new line. That fast of a leak would have shown on the vacuum test.

So next season or when I find a deal, I'm putting in a new compressor. The old seal was pretty chewed up (and there was evidence of a leak), so I'm wondering if the groove ripped the new seal.
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
Jeeze-O-Pete! What a battle! Shoot it!
 

Denisefwd93

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
2,261
Reaction score
74
Points
48
Location
South East PA
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
stock, may get leveling springs in front "somday"
Tire Size
235
Now you know why vac is a poor way to check for leaks. Get a spray bottle, mix liquid dawn and water just thin it enough to go through the sprayer and check for bubbles by spraying all the connections, just pressurize, with 134, no need to fully charge the system.
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
Thanks Denisefwd93 I've never even thought to use soap & water to check for leaks on an a/c unit. Used that technique for years looking for propane leaks. I think I've lost my mind!
 

ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
Now you know why vac is a poor way to check for leaks. Get a spray bottle, mix liquid dawn and water just thin it enough to go through the sprayer and check for bubbles by spraying all the connections, just pressurize, with 134, no need to fully charge the system.
Except such a large leak would have shown up on the vacuum test. I may try spraying it tomorrow though. I'm out of town and didn't bring my AC tools (minus the sniffer, which may be in the back).

My suspicion is either the high side service port has an issue or the wear on the compressor shaft tore the seal after I ran the compressor for the first time since the rebuild. The spray test ought to rule out the service port, so I'll go from there.
 

Denisefwd93

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
2,261
Reaction score
74
Points
48
Location
South East PA
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
stock, may get leveling springs in front "somday"
Tire Size
235
Supply houses sell the stuff in bottles called leak detector. it's just hi visc soap bubbles. Still the best way to find leaks. but you have to be patient and be sure the soap is all over the joint or fitting. can be very tiny bubbles even foam like on small leaks.
 

ratdude747

Member
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
503
Reaction score
22
Points
18
Age
31
Location
Madison, IN
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
215/70R15
Supply houses sell the stuff in bottles called leak detector. it's just hi visc soap bubbles. Still the best way to find leaks. but you have to be patient and be sure the soap is all over the joint or fitting. can be very tiny bubbles even foam like on small leaks.
Noted. Didn't find anything with my sniffer (although I'm not 100% sure it's actually working correctly). Would have soap tested this morning but got busy fixing some radius arm bushing issues.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top