During vacation out west in Aug 2023, we had issue with the AC going in and out. We had the Freon recharged in Colorado (some chain place). That only lasted a few days, then in/out then no AC at all. But I had already planned ahead by booking with Ford Dealership in UTAH later on our route (bc 2 year warranty). Knowing that we would go back home to TN & wanted to have some type of warranty on the work .

Ford Utah fixed everything in a 3 days… $1700 later.

AC worked great the rest of the summer/fall. A month ago same thing happened again. So I dropped it at my local ford. The advisor left a voicemail with the specifics of what needs fixed… at $800+ tax (includes my oil change). I have not returned call yet bc I was at work and I wanted some advice before calling.

Shouldn’t the repairs be covered by the warranty? We literally have only driven 4000 miles since August and ½ of that was on the way home from Utah.

This is what UTAH Ford Fixed in August 2023:
5- MISC: MISCELLANEOUS REPAIRS CUSTOMER STES AC BLOWS HOT AIR
Caused by
verified a/c does not blow cold. turned a/c on and checked compressor operation. found that a/c clutch on compressor is not spinning verified clutch spins by hand. Checked a/c pressures and verified pressures are good and no signs of leaks. checked a/c clutch relay and diode and verified both are good. checked power and ground at compressor and both are present. results indicate compressor circuit is open on compressor

Tech: Keegan MacDonald (170)

Caused by
replaced a/c compressor, accumulator, orifice tube, and gaskets. flushed a/c hoses and recharged system. verified a/c is blowing cold and no signs of leaks.
Tech: Keegan MacDonald (170)

Installed YN 19 : REFRIGERANT - R-134A

Installed 419955 : A/C FLUSH

Installed TEM18520NK : A/C COMP KIT NP

Tech: Keegan MacDonald (170) $765.88

Installed YN 19 :REFRIGERANT -R-134A. 34@3.74 $127.16

Installed 419955 : A/C FLUSH 1@31.88. $31.88
Installed TEM18520NK :A/C COMP KIT NP 1@686.80$686.80

Sub Total: 1611.72
LABOR 765.88
PARTS 845.84
SHOP SUPPLIES 50.00
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS .00
SALES TAX. 112.17

TOTAL DUE: 1773.89


LOCAL FORD DEALER VOICEMAIL MARCH 2024 of what needs fixed—-

F150 that was dropped off yesterday. I do have the tech. That diagnosed it and he found out what is going on . You do have a Schrader valve on the AC system that is leaking . The only thing we need to do is replace that and also you were missing the AC caps so he doesn't know if I dirt from the engine , got up in there and caused over time to work its way and caused it to leak out but we do need to evac and recharge your AC system . Replace that one valve. And put the caps on.

Call me back and let me know how you want to proceed with it. The total with that and your oil change to around $799 and change plus tax.

 

Carla73,

Methinks the schrader valve may have been the root cause all along. Nice they tried to soften the blow with that ~$799 vs ~$800 estimate. Go out and put a blob of spit or palmolive soap on the valve cores and see if bubbles form. if the valve core(s) did leak due to dirt/old seals, I would call an A/C repair place and ask how much to replace both cores.This dealership is slowly bleeding you,

45K40

 

Thank you for replying… bc I’m stressing out. lol.

The ford dealership that did the initial 1700$ 2 year Ford warranty repair in Aug was in Utah while on vacation. The ford dealership wanting to charge another 800$ for the Schrader valve is a different one in TN (where I live).

I do agree they are trying to bleed me dry.

The truck is still at the dealer because the service provider hasn’t gotten back with me ie my text messages I sent about the ford warranty.

I think I should not have to pay anything for the additional repair giving that there is a 2 year warranty. What is your opinion about that?

I don’t want to pay another dime to Ford on the AC repair (unless it’s replacing Freon). If they won’t cover then I plan to take it elsewhere.

This is the text I sent the service provider—

“Hi Mike,
I got your message about the AC. It should be under the 2 yr warranty because I had the AC system fully repaired at Ford dealership in Utah 7 months ago in August 2023. We've only driven it maybe 4000 miles in the past 7 months and 1/2 of that was on our way home from vacation in Utah.
Please let me know.”

 

They are gonna say, not related since no leaks first go around. The schrader diagnosis is a common one. Its also a simple repair especially if on the low side. Find an independent shop and get it done cheaper, its not a big task!

 

I was afraid of that… but thank you for the advice. Im going to call the service guy to see what he says… but at least I’m prepared to
find a local shop.

My dad use to handle all
of this car stuff for me… even though he was a Chevy guy.

 

Well got decent news. The local Ford dealer would have covered the repair but the other dealer used aftermarket non ford kit so it’s not covered. But they are going to fix it with no additional labor. So I pay the parts and the diagnosis fee. 240$ plus tax. This included my oil change. Much better than $799 plus tax.

they also agreed that it could of been the Schrader valve that caused the original issue all Along which could have caused the previous compressor to go out.

 

good deal!

 

Better news. They just called it’s ready and parts gave me a better deal…. Ended up being 165$ with oil change. Yay!

 

Excellent, yep thats a 15 minute job at the most.