94 Taurus air conditioning compressor
 

All,

I know, its not a Cummins, but we all drive other things too! I have a 1994 Ford Taurus with 135,00 miles. This thing works great! Mostly because I have fixed or replaced about everything on the car from the CV axles to the water pump.
The air also works well, (with a small freon leak), but I can hear the AC clutch chatter when I first start it up. I have 2 questions:
First, should I replace this thing or wait until it doesn't blow anymore? Can I replace this while its on the car? I haven't messed too much with air but can fix about anything.
Second, if I do replace this, can I replace the freon through the low pressure filler with my small little cheap gauge?

Thanks for your help!

If you don't mind not having air for a couple days after it dies until you fix it, there's no reason not to wait for it to die.

Usually a reman compressor with clutch is only $20-$30 more than just the clutch. By the time you buy the special clutch replacement tools the cost is even.

The system is filled through the low pressure port, you don't need the high pressure side hooked up to fill the system.

You do need to have the system vacuumed down before it is refilled. If you have access to high volume shop air there are cheap ($10) ejector vacuum pumps that will do the job adequately.

As a final note, it's doubtful that the clutch chatter is related to the leak. Look over the system carefully, where there is a refrigerant leak there will be oily residue. If you can't find any residue, buy a can of freon with UV dye in it and blow that in next time the system is low. Run it a couple days and check for leaks with a black light. The black light and glasses are available from the same place you got the dye and usually run about $20.

does the clutch chatter mean its about to give up the ghost?

It's not a good sign but it might run that way for years.

I'd be reluctant to spend A/C compressor money on a 15 year old Taurus "just in case." It's really a disposable car.

The A/C compressor in my 01 taurus would vibrate the whole car anytime it kicked on. Eventually it just quit working altogether. I would like A/C again but I just parked it until summer is over and then I will start driving it again. I agree with the above quote. For me, it's just not worth fixing it when the car really isn't worth much.....

That car is worth $4500 as long as it runs. Ask the gubment.

Chris

At this point in the season, I'd see if it would make it through the rest of the summer as is and then look at changing it next spring assuming that you still plan to drive that car next summer.

If you do the work yourself, your only costs should be the compressor (~$185) and the freon (~$18) so for in the ballpark of $250, you can have a new compressor and a recharged system (assuming that you have access to a vacuum pump and gauges). I did the same thing with my "disposable" Lumina last year and have enjoyed the AC every day that I drove it this summer. Disposable or not, comfort while driving is worth a certain amount.

I ain't saying "Don't fix it", I'm saying "Don't fix it 'till it's broke." ;)

But is is only worth $4500.00 if you have another $25,000.00 to add with it.

It is a disposable car. It is also tens of thousands cheaper than a new one, including repairs. I bought it for my 16 yr. old son. It will serve him well as long as I can keep it on the road. Of course, I think that within 6 months, he'll probably test the air bags,THEN it will be dosposable...