Big $$$ AC repair on 03 Ford

[N80]

I noticed that the AC on my 2003 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 was not cooling as well as it should. It was still cooling, just not very well. It needed the tranny fluid flushed and changed so I asked them to take a look at the AC.

The shop (at a Ford dealership) called and said something about the compressor locking up and then about a bunch of other stuff I don't know anything about (condensor???, collector???, filter?????) then the cha-ching sounds started and I did not hear much else except that it would cost about $1000 to repair!

I told him to flush the tranny but not to fix the AC. At least for now.

I've never had an AC go out this fast on a vehicle. It is 4 years old and I'm still paying for it. It is obviously not under warranty.

Should I get a second opinion? Bite the bullet and have it repaired? Complain to Ford? Wait until next summer then fix it.

(And please don't get me wrong. This isn't Ford bashing. This has been a problem free truck until now. I'm just stating the facts and frustrated that I won't be building the $1000 tractor shed I'd been planning).

I'll get more details when I pick it up tomorrow.

 

[kennyd]

Definitely get a second opinion!

 

[RoyJackson]

Definitely a second opinion...even a third.
I've seen AC's pack up early, but it sounds like the whole system (compressor, condensor...everything packed up). I have never heard of that.
I suggest you talk to Ford's regional manager too (that's the Dealer's direct contact to Ford).

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The AC quit on my 98 F-150 at about 6 years. The AC quit on the 95 Caravan after 3 years. The van needed a new compressor but the windows worked fine. The truck has not been to a shop to figure out the problem and I use the truck as a work/farm truck anyway so there is no real hurry to find out what is wrong. I plan on selling the truck soon anyway before I have to sink much more into it as 8 years is all these vehicles seem to last now before you have to rebuild them piece by piece.

 

[Kendall69]

Get a second opinion. The Ford I had was fixed by untwisting a vacuum hose that opened an AC door. Cheap fix.

The gobbelty gook is what they count on to screw you - that’s why they are called STEALERS.

Also take it to the biggest AC shop in your area, and have them look at it.

 

[VA_Joe]

I agree - it sounds extremely suspicious.

 

[jcotta]

Write Ford and let them know what the problem is . I had the same problem a Taurus wagon. It was going to cost $800 to fix. They sent me a certificate to redeem at dealer , new compressor for $50. The new compressor failed and they replaced that for free. I have bought three brand new Fords since then because they stood behind the product. Things may be a little different now that they are tough times . Worth a try. It took me three months to get a response. Send the letter certified mail , so that they know you mean business.

John

 

[N80]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I guess we all have an arbitrary point at which we feel like a problem is okay or not okay. I've had AC go out on some of my favorite (Nissan) vehicles but it was usually at 6 or seven years and it didn't bother me so much. I either got them fixed or just lived without (tough down south here).

Its funny. I was commenting to my wife that this truck had been extremely carefree (more so than her Nissan) and boom, this happens. The other funny thing is that when I dropped the truck off I stopped to look at the new F-250s. I DO NOT need a new truck right now but they sure did look sweet. But, a $1000 repair bill on a 4 year old truck makes getting a new one very tempting. I have to admit, if they try to get me to trade in for a new vehicle I will be a tad suspicious. That is what happened to my parents. They had a Ford minivan that they diagnosed with some sort of expensive computer module related problem and then offered to make them a good deal on a trade. They took the deal and now have a Ford Escape. I didn't think anything of it at the time becuase I did not like the minivan and they are very happy with the Escape.

As far as the repair shop being crooked, I don't think that is the case. It hasn't been my impression so far. Now I have no idea how competent they are but I'm at least hoping they aren't crooked. I know the owner fairly well.

But, I'm going to look around for a dedicated AC repair shop and at least get an estimate from them.

Of course I need to talk with the service manager and get some details too. Once he started rattling off the problems I sort of tuned out on the phone.

How does one go about contacting a regional Ford rep? I'd like to do that, not to bust their chops or beg for money, just to get a feel for their take on this sort of thing. I may have unreasonable expectations, I just don't know. If they had said I had a leak, or needed a new hose or something along that line, even if it was several hundred dollars, I don't think I would have been too disappointed, things happen, but the whole shebang going bad is a bit disappointing to me. And I'll admit, one source of my frustration is that I'm still paying for this truck. That is not Ford's fault or anyone's but mine (it was stupid of me to take out a 5 year loan). But you just hope and expect that whatever you buy will be free of major repairs at least until you pay for it. I understand you can get six year auto loans now.

Edit: The other source of frustration is my total ignorance when it comes to AC systems. If he'd told me that my Flux Capacitor and my positron modulator where shot I could only nod my head in agreement.

 

[jcotta]

In United States:

Phone:
800-392-3673
800-232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired)

Mail:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

Hours of Operation:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

to contact Ford ,use customer service, they will refer rep to you.

John

 

[RoyJackson]

"How does one go about contacting a regional Ford rep? "

Right through your dealer...the rep would be the negotiator, so to speak.

Although I've bought a fair number of Fords over the years, with the exception of one, I've had few problems other then what one would expect with a used vehicle.
Maybe I've been lucky...

The time I went to a Rep was with a new Volvo that started rusting atop the trunk lid (this was a '78 Model 242GT). When I see something that shouldn't be (such as rust in an unlikely place), I've got to question a manufacturing defect (remember, I work Quality Control...I'm normally on the other end of this kind of thing).
Anyway, the dealer was hesitant since I'd had the car for over a year...but the Volvo rep signed right off on the repair.

In N80's case, it sounds like several components failed. Now, one failure could have cascaded into the others...but that doesn't seem likely...not to me.

So, once the third party shop evaluates the problem, N80 may want to return to the dealer and discuss this with the manufacturer's rep. Even though Ford is in financial difficulty, they cannot afford to alienate their customers on a failure that should not have occurred.

 

[kenmac]

I have a dodge that the evap. devloped at about 4 yrs old . These things are probably made in china & a poor grade of alum. is being used. I do home a/c & you should see some of the evap. coils that I've replaced. They are eaten up & some only a coulpe yrs old. They wanted $1200.00 to replace everything on my dodge except the comp..I made repairs myself. If you have run the compressor low of refrigerant , you could have ruined it. You can sometimes get a better deal from a local A.S.E. certified shop than from dealer because they tend to have lower shop rates


Heck, If I were a DOC. I would just buy a new truck

 

[N80]

In United States:

Phone:
800-392-3673
800-232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired)

Mail:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

Hours of Operation:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

to contact Ford ,use customer service, they will refer rep to you.

John

Thanks John.

 

[RayH]

Before you take it in for another shop to look at, do some research, visit some Ford F series forums or sites and ask the same question. Vehicles usually develope patterns in terms of problems, I'll bet other Ford F series owners have experienced the same problem. They may be able to walk you through some troubleshooting so when you take it to someone else, you will already have a good idea whats wrong. Knowledge also helps you identify the BS.
It never hurts to go in armed with information.

 

[N80]

If you have run the compressor low of refrigerant , you could have ruined it.

That could be the case. I've been running it about 2 weeks like this. But, if its cloudy or not too hot outside it would still cool very nicely. The only time I noticed a problem was in high 80's or more and/or direct sunlight. I guess the refrigerant lubes the compressor?

You can sometimes get a better deal from a local A.S.E. certified shop than from dealer because they tend to have lower shop rates

That's what I'll look for.

Heck, If I were a DOC. I would just buy a new truck

Well, next time I see the owner or the service guy (both patients of mine) I may have to do some testing on their flux capacitors and positron modulators. Just never know what expensive conditions might turn up.

I'd never complain about my general financial situation, but no matter how much you have you can always find ways to spend too much of it (land, tractors and wiv's and daughters with horses (grrrrrr)). And no matter how much you have things like washing machines, dental crowns, painting the house, auto AC breakdowns, septic tanks, etc are never fun ways to spend it.

And I've grown to abhor car payments. Cars and trucks are a terrible waste of money, especially on long loans. They don't stay new, exciting or pretty long enough. Like I said, I'd love a new F-250.....but it aint gonna happen. Historically I've always driven whatever I have until it dies or gets totalled.

 

[AMP762]

Have them write up an est.with each item on it.Be sure to have them put the system pressures on the est.you can tell alot about the problem from the pressure.

 

[RayH]

I guess the refrigerant lubes the compressor?



.

Yes, it does. Actually the refrigerant has an oil in it that lubes the compressor.
Fortunately A/C problems are pretty easy to track down with the right tools. Unless its an electrical issue, which it sounds like it isnt, a good shop should be able to tell you in a few minutes what is wrong.

 

[RayH]

Have them write up an est.with each item on it.Be sure to have them put the system pressures on the est.you can tell alot about the problem from the pressure.

True, its all about pressures. The whole system is designed to change pressures. They can hook up gauges and tell what the pressures are in a second. They can find leaks in a second. The only actual mechanically moving part of the coolant system is the compressor.

 

[N80]

Although I've bought a fair number of Fords over the years, with the exception of one, I've had few problems other then what one would expect with a used vehicle.

Well, in 4 years this has been the only real problem with this truck. Relatively low miles (55k) but still, nothing else and that's not bad at all. Just a shame that the first problem is such a duzy.

So, once the third party shop evaluates the problem, N80 may want to return to the dealer and discuss this with the manufacturer's rep. Even though Ford is in financial difficulty, they cannot afford to alienate their customers on a failure that should not have occurred.

Yep, they are in a tough spot. I really doubt Ford is going to do anything about this and I really don't expect them too. Stuff happens. But they do have to think about this sort of thing.They'll have to decide if spending the money to maintain good will is worth it in the long run when money is already tight for them. And even if I got offered a great trade-in price toward one of those 250s I've been drooling over, do I want to risk the same thing happening again when I could go look to a competitor? Just a theoretical question of course. All of the big three are struggling.

In any case, I'll do my homework, get a second opinion, drop Ford a letter and see how things play out. In the end, I'll have to fix it or buy new. New is tempting and exciting but I'm less than a year away from no truck payment and that's pretty exiting too!

 

[cp1969]

There is some confusion on 'the whole shebang' going bad at once.

It doesn't. It's probably just the compressor but no one will warrant their replacement compressor unless you replace receiver/dryer, etc, at the same time.

The a/c went out on my '98 Ranger quite a few years ago. Not worth it to me to fix it. I don't think these R134 systems are nearly as durable as the old R12's were.

 

[kenmac]

There is some confusion on 'the whole shebang' going bad at once.

It doesn't. It's probably just the compressor but no one will warrant their replacement compressor unless you replace receiver/dryer, etc, at the same time.




You hit the nail on the head. Most shops won't warranty if just some parts are replaced. Same with home a/c. The refrigerant doesn't lube the compressor on auto a/c all that much. It uses it's own oil as a lube / oil about 8 to 12 oz. As it's not a hermetic sealed compressor, you have to add oil b-4 installing it . the refrigerant does lube the seals in the line set & such . Most of the time on auto a/c the seals just go bad at the line set connections & a very small leak occurs & the refrigerant is leaked out over time so it's not noticed until on a very hot day & it don't cool. Most of my dealings with auto a/c has been a leal in the evap. which is in a very easy place to get to & replace when you pull all the insides of the vehicle out dash & all