I found my A/C leak (one picture)

[BodylessSHO]

I found the leak behind the bumper. I took off the bumper cover to get a better look, and to see if more of the line was damaged.

It's hard to see where the hole is from the picture (I couldn't easily get my camera under there). It's just along that seal where the line meets the connector. The hole is about 1/3 of the way around that entire seal, like it just blew out or something. You can tell what I'm talking about by the neon green dye.

Anyway, I know very little about A/C work. As far as I can tell, this goes from the condenser to the evaporator, but I don't even know that for sure (if someone knows better, please let me know). I assume I'm going to have to replace this line. How hard is it? Is there any easy fix? There's absolutely no freon in the system, due to this massive hole letting it out, about 2 minutes per can.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

From the looks of the picture, that appears to be the line that goes from the upper condenser connection to the compressor (there are actually two lines that make up the manifold hose that connects at the compressor).

If it's the line I'm thinking, Ford's list price is about $200 last time I checked. If you can wait a couple of days I can get the part number, but right now my parts database is corrupted and needs to be rebuilt and I just don't have the time to do it right now.

FWIW, the line in question should be listed as number 9 in this illustration (ignore the fact that it shows a quick-disconnect fitting for the connector in question, it was changed to a stud/nut connector in mid-'97):

 

[BodylessSHO]

I would very much appreciate that part number. The diagram is really helpful too.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

F8DZ-19D734-CA is the part #, list is $200.02.

 

[PFA]

F8DZ-19D734-CA is the part #, list is $200.02.

I went here....
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=213787
you can get it for $150

AND..
$180 at Murrays...Motorcraft
http://www.partsamerica.com/Product...8&searchfor=Hose+Assembly&mfrcode=MOT&ptset=A

 

[BodylessSHO]

So...here's an odd question..how do I do this?

What I mean is, what am I going to have to take off to get to this part? Are there any special tools I need? I've never done any A/C work besides putting freon in. Any walkthroughs on A/C work? I couldn't find anything at V8sho.

 

[ArkanSHO]

If you remove any component from the AC system or open a line you will need to completely evacuate the system using a vacuum pump similar to the one Harbor Freight just happens to have on sale this month. Then once it is pumped down you will need to make sure you add the oil and freon back in. I have no idea though how much this system requires.

 

[BodylessSHO]

Thank you, Carter.

Of course, the piece I need is a discontinued, "obsolete" as the ford part guy put it, piece. They're calling around the country for me tomorrow morning.
I'll pick up that vacuum pump from harbor freight tomorrow.

 

[PFA]

Man, I posted up a bit, they sell it at Murrays auto parts as a Motorcraft part too. Obsolete? I don't think so...
I guess I'm kindof a newbie, but if you want to .....nevermind...

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Thank you, Carter.

Of course, the piece I need is a discontinued, "obsolete" as the ford part guy put it, piece. They're calling around the country for me tomorrow morning.
I'll pick up that vacuum pump from harbor freight tomorrow.

Two quick things:

1. I don't usually like to disagree with Carter, but IMHO that whole vacuuming the A/C thing is over-rated. We've replaced over 200 V8 SHO motors, and we just evacuate before and recharge after the motor swaps, and have never once had a car come back with an A/C problem bigger than a leak.

2. We've got a couple good used manifold lines like the one in question rather than springing for the new one which you might not be able to locate. The only thing you might want to do is replace the o-rings. I've sent you a PM with the info.

 

[ArkanSHO]

You are probably correct with the "over-rated" comment, but I remember that when I was being trained on the AC system from a "qualified" (sacasm thickly applied here) ASE mechanic he said the purpose of "evacuating the system is to assure no contaminents or moisture are present when the coolant is added since the interior of the lines will drop below zero and rise above boiling, both of which would have adverse effects on water and the free-flowing of the liquid/gas state of the coolant". That being siad, I have only done it once and since I had the lines loose for several weeks I figured it was worth pumping it down as it was raining most of the week it was open.

 

[Silvapain]

Carter is right. You really need to pull the air and moisture out of the lines before adding the freon and oil. I've personally only done a few A/C installs in residential applications, but I was trained by an experienced person.

 

[BodylessSHO]

THANK YOU, everyone! Especially Mr. Anonymous with the line, that saved me a lot of time and money. The AC is blowing cool now, after a year of not working!