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AC failure leading to a service nightmare (Non track but S550 related)

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captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
My S550 PP GT has had intermittent AC cooling issues since I've owned it. Last year in the summer it went out on a drive out of town where there was just hot air coming out of the events, and just last week it did it twice.


This time there was some smoke and strong smell from under the hood when the AC went out. Each time the IAT (intake air temp) was very high, 140* or higher, indicating the temperatures under hood were very high. I had the car towed in due to the issues via Ford's roadside service.

now the dealer asked me to come look at it as they can't find anything wrong (again), supposedly its blowing cold air for them (which it wasn't doing even when we unloaded the car from the tow rig. My troubleshooting is limited, but the AC belt is intact, the compressor seems to be turning properly, and the car's powertrain is 100% unmodified (there's a catback, springs, braces, shocks on the car outside small appearance items).


I just want a working mustang. There aren't other cars out there that currently hold my interest in this price range. However, you can't do Arizona summer without air conditioning. Now I am in a real pickle.


Last week the car dropped the AC Thursday and Friday, Friday being the incident with smoke and the weird smell and towing to the dealer.


Now they can't find anything wrong with it. I just test drove it with the service advisor and while the AC performance was very poor, it was within specifications (its a hot day in Arizona, but admittedly the air coming out was cool enough to be considered working).


They're keeping the car a bit longer to try to make it repeat what its been doing to me, but ultimately it looks like I'm going to be on the hook for the diagnostic fee, rental car fees, and get the car back in a partially functioning state. This could quickly be a $500 bill.


I'm infuriated but I understand if the dealer can't get ford to pay for repairs then I'm the odd man out. What recommendations are there for what to do? Pay it and go to another dealer? Get Ford Customer Service involved somehow? These intermittent issues are a headache for all, and my service advisor is sympathetic, but its shaping up like I'm going to be left with a hot uncomfortable ride and emptier-than-usual wallet.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
Its definitely the compressor (or compressor failure is a symptom). They had the car for five days and couldn't find anything.

I pull two bolts on the overflow bottle and move it out of the way in 5 minutes to see this:

bpnDJV4h.jpg

There's bits of rubber everywhere, and some liquid or grease on the radiator support and timing cover along with the face of the compressor.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Well at least that's proof that they didn't look very hard. I'd take it back to the dealer with that picture or talk to Ford Service on another forum first. Good luck.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
yeah, may go to another dealer. It made a loud metallic/whining noise earlier with a heavy vibration I could feel through even the shifter which scared the hell out of me on the way home sitting at a light.

Called the dealer I had been seeing back, left a message for the adviser and never heard back.
 
118
155
MD
Are your symptoms only when the compressor is on or all the time?

Took mine in last week for a similar problem, my compressor is moaning/howling and it blows warm air. The sound increases with RPM/speed and only presents itself when the AC is on. I asked them to check for a refrigerant leak and to check the compressor.

Two days later they called to say the AC was ice cold, everything was 100%, and to come get it. Service manager said they recharged the system, added dye, and let it idle for a few hours with the AC on but there are no leaks. Where did the refrigerant go? Asked about the compressor and he said the tech found no issues, prob howling because it didn't have any refrigerant which also lubricates the compressor.. If a system is sealed and the stuff inside is now gone, then...

regardless, my car was a few days out of warranty so I had to eat the $320. Pay and drive away with the AC on only to hear the compressor howling on my way out of the service lane. Turn around, pull back in, bring it to the attention of the service manager and he says this is the third s550 coming in with AC problems and now he's worried about his own s550... Tentative appointment next Monday to take it back. Will see what the quote is to remove and replace a compressor..
 
Different applications, but has happened to me three times on three different semi trucks. What I have found with A/C systems that are losing a charge but cannot find with the dye is they are leaking behind the pulley. Somehow the dye stays behind the pulley and doesn't spray anywhere. It is darned frustrating to say the least.
Just my $0.02
 
AC performance was very poor, it was within specifications

This is an odd statement.

As a general rule, A/C vent temp should be a minimum 30* cooler than ambient temp with all the windows DOWN, A/C on max and recirculation, at idle. Note with windows down, this is the biggest load the A/C will ever see.

I'd ask to see the low and high side pressures. In the above scenario I like to see 35ish on the low side, 225-250 high side.

Is the cooling fan working at all speeds???

Based on your picture the compressor clutch has taken a dump.

All this is really just for informational purposes, good luck getting it fixed.....
 

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