IT WAS THE PLUGS!

[DHMag]

my stumbling and lost power was due to the plugs. when i took em out, i noticed they were gapped large...measured at .058 and upon closer examination, i saw a little bit of bridging but the #2 and #3 plugs had serious detonation. of course, as a typical SHO problem goes...i was out for a test drive...A/C on...merging onto the highway, a belt squealed loudly, then the engine died. air out of the vents got warm....ut oh...my compressor just crapped out on me. got home, immeditealy raised the hood..smoking rolling from the compressor area....now im beginning to see the similarities between and SHO and a Money Pit :

 

[luigisho]

Many similarities indeed. Let me know if you find a good deal on compressors. That's on my to do list in the next month along with replacing half of the rest of my parts.

 

[CharlieSHO95]

I worked on my AC two weeks ago. I believe my clutch was bad, along with a leak, but I decided to go ahead and try to do it right by replacing the compressor also (could not buy just a compressor at the local parts stores if I tried just a clutch first).

Here are some problems I ran into:

No aftermarket drier for the SHO. The ford part was $125 with a discount.

It's difficult to get consistent answers on what to do with R12 systems. There is supposed to be a high performance freon to replace R12 (not the hydrocarbon type). Not sure about the details, but I would check on that before going with R134.

If the compressor shot craps, the condenser probably should be replaced, per two different mechanics I talked to, as it is difficult to clean out.

The orifice tube is a poor design as it would take just a few pieces of crud to plug it up. I believe I have that problem right now. Need to find an adjustable expansion valve to replace the orifice tube, in my opinion.

The old style hoses supposedly leak the R134, need newer style nylon lined hoses (not sure how big a problem this is).

<small>[ August 03, 2002, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: CharlieSHO95 ]</small>

 

[DHMag]

CharlieSHO95:
I worked on my AC two weeks ago. I believe my clutch was bad, along with a leak, but I decided to go ahead and try to do it right by replacing the compressor also (could not buy just a compressor at the local parts stores if I tried just a clutch first).

when i first got the car in the beginning of June, the A/C needed work, turned out to just be the clutch, so the clutch is less than 90 days old. im not sure what all im gonna need but if i find a deal, ill pass it on to yall. im a DIYer but ya know, getting to the compressor is a major PITA...

 

[luigisho]

It sure is. I think these compressors are notorious for "black death". Where the teflon rings disintegrate plug up the system and pretty much turn all the fluids inside into a black goo that is hard to remove. I think I read that on an automotive a/c website or two anyway.

 

[N3FOL]

Problem on my end too.

This morning after coming from church, I was merging into a highway then gradually my cabin air started to become warm. Realizing I have no A/C! I have no idea what happened. The A/C fan runs, but no cool air.

No experience on compressor work on this end, so I think that it is time to visit the dealership in the near future. It is too warm to be running with no A/C.

What do you guys think that might have happened?

 

[luigisho]

could be many things. loss of freon to where the clutch won't engage, bad ac clutch, bad compressor, blend door malfunction...

 

[DHMag]

luigisho:
could be many things. loss of freon to where the clutch won't engage, bad ac clutch, bad compressor, blend door malfunction...

as my problem goes now, i used to be able to turn the compressor by hand...it wont budge now...so i know its froze up. i think im just gonna replace the compressor. my friend is an A/C tech and he can help me suck down the lines and recharge it.

 

[SHOZ123]

My '97 started blowing hot air, it turned out to be the low pressure switch.

 

[DHMag]

SHOZ123:
My '97 started blowing hot air, it turned out to be the low pressure switch.

heres what happened to mine...i was merging onto the highway...had the A/C on, as normal. just as i switched lanes, the belt squealed loudly, the engine stumbled then died. i turned the A/C off, refired the car, and kept going. when i got home and raised the hood, smoke was rolling off the compressor. the clutch was just replaced just over a month ago and it was gapped at .031. now, i cant even turn the compressor shaft by hand like i used to. i did everything right...the compressor just crapped out