Hey guys. Yesterday I noticed my ac didn't blow cold air after starting it up. The ac compressor is cycling, confirmed by watching as I pull/replace the relay. The gauge pressures were equalized at 120psi. I sucked the system down into a vacuum for an hour, vacuum stayed constant even after turning off the vacuum pump for an hour, so I decided to charge the system and add some dye. The system wouldn't let me add more than 12 oz. I noticed the psi is equalized at 90psi on high and low side, and the psi does not change as the ac compressor is cycled on/off. My assumption is the compressor is garbage at this point. I also noticed the ac compressor was very loud when the car was running. I pulled the serpentine belt off, and spun the compressor by hand, and was loud, like bearings are shot in it loud. Am I on the correct path? Can anybody confirm my steps so far? Thank you.

 

Based on what you've said I would agree the compressor is probably bad, I have replaced 4 or 5 of the 3.5 explorer compressors this last year.
If the compressor coil is still engaging and building pressure its not yet grenaded and you should replace it before it does and takes out more expensive parts.
Also I think the charge spec is around 40 oz but I could be remembering wrong.

 

Thanks. Of course we leave for vacation in 2 weeks, and ford says it's on back order until August 5th. Yeah, ford said 47.2 oz, but my sticker under the hood says 38 oz. Would you only replace it with a Ford compressor? Or would aftermarket through napa be okay?

 

I work at a ford dealer so I have only installed ford compressors, if you go aftermarket dont get the cheapest few, I would install a Denso without regret if they make one.
Make sure you read the underhood sticker correctly, engine size and aux ac matter for the charge amount.