leaking coolant

[svtguy]

Was hoping someone could tell me what this is about. Sorry for being such a newb but I don't know what this is and its leaving coolant stains on my driveway. I don't have a shop manual and I tried searching but couldn't find what I was looking for. Appreciate any input. What part is this and are there any special tips to know for swapping it out. Looks pretty simple from what I can tell. Thanks.

View from underneath.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/leak.jpg

[loud2004marquis]

Looks like your A/C Accumulator...Same thing happpened on my 2004 Grand Marquis. IIRC, it's basically a filter for your AC system.

Found out that Ford used to mount them higher up in the engine bay, then they started mounting them on the frame (lower to the ground) and all the road water and salt eats at them more rapidly causing them to go...

I took mine in and had it done at a local shop...Costed about $280 total for a new OEM unit, labor to install the new part and an AC system purge and recharge...Hope this helps.

[fastblackmerc]

It does look like the A/C accumulator.... but why is it leaking coolant? The A/C system is totally separate from the cooling system.

Check your heater hoses and heater core.

[MM2004]

Unsure what that is, and I must agree with Jim.

A/C contains freon, not anti-freeze. And are separate systems from one another.

I would check in other places for the leak.

Keep us posted.

;)

Mike.

[MOTOWN]

Mines is doing the same thing, thats freon, not antifreze they just seem to rust from the bottom.

[SID210SA]

The green stuff is a dye in the freon, Wes changed that out while I was at his house on Peters (from NY area) car....it was all rusted up inside, therefore it was leaking the green stuff.

[MM2004]

The green stuff is a dye in the freon, Wes changed that out while I was at his house on Peters (from NY area) car....it was all rusted up inside, therefore it was leaking the green stuff.

Interesting, and did not know freon had dye in it unless specified on the can?

The dye I have seen in the past was red, or possibly clear and visible under a UV light.

Thanks for posting up guys!

Learn something new every day.

:beer:

Mike.

[svtguy]

Freon would make sense. Especially given my not so ice cold AC. Will double check to see if its not a leak from higher up and dripping. I'm guessing the hose connection is one of those spring type deals that uses the round special tool to clamp down and release. Thanks for the great feedback guys.

[svtguy]

wow, those hoses don't want to budge. do i have to do anything beforehand to get those off. like release pressure somewhere, or do something else.

[Paul T. Casey]

The dye I have seen in the past was red, or possibly clear and visible under a UV light.


Mike.

The green dye will flouresce under a uV light. If the leak is small, it's much easier to find.

[MM2004]

The green dye will flouresce under a uV light. If the leak is small, it's much easier to find.

Paul,

Does all the 'standard' freon have this dye added?

Mike.

[RacerX]

I think a lot of the PAG oils have the green dye in them otc.

[Krytin]

If you can't pull a vacuum on the system before re-charging I would not replace that yourself.
You do have to have the pressure out of the system to safely break the hose conections.
I just had this changed out on my '04 CV. W/the recharge the total was under $200.

[svtguy]

ok got it out. And as you can see, there is some rust where the leak appears to have come from.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/10-12-11_2132.jpg

And as I mentioned. The one lower hose connection to the left in this pic would not come loose so I went to the connection upstream, to the right in pic, and got it off there.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/10-12-11_2133.jpg

Now just have to get a new one and put it back together. As far as pulling vaccum. Is that something I can do with my mity vac. Thanks.

[loud2004marquis]

Not sure about the vacuum, but I do remember the mechanic saying something is a little trickey with the new o-ring set you have to put in?

[Krytin]

Now just have to get a new one and put it back together. As far as pulling vaccum. Is that something I can do with my mity vac. Thanks.

No.
The system needs to be evacuated and recharged by somebody who knows how to do it.
Try to keep dirt out of the open lines - there are orifices that the refrigerent has to go through that dirt will clog.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what Krytin said^^^

Take it to an A/C shop...if you don't have the right equipment and training you can damage the system without knowing it.

[svtguy]

Go to buy the part at dealer and they quote me $138.00 plus list, whatever that means, didn't ask. And the guy says that this part is not the same on the crown vic or gm. Hmmm. For some reason, I thought they would all be the same. Am I wrong or is dealer full of it?

[fastblackmerc]

Go to buy the part at dealer and they quote me $138.00 plus list, whatever that means, didn't ask. And the guy says that this part is not the same on the crown vic or gm. Hmmm. For some reason, I thought they would all be the same. Am I wrong or is dealer full of it?

Don't know why it would be a different part other than the connections...maybe??

[svtguy]

Maybe, but I sourced another one online for cheaper and got a part number too - 6w3z19c836b for $72.19 plus shipping. This place told me this is a newer "superceded" part number. Compared to an original number, I guess. And he said yes it is the same for all.

[Krytin]

Same in '03 MM & '04 CV - ask me how I know.....:rolleyes:

[svtguy]

Not sure about the vacuum, but I do remember the mechanic saying something is a little trickey with the new o-ring set you have to put in?

So I just got the part today and was about to begin the reinstall. But I now see that I need to order O rings too because it didn't come with them and the shop manual does call for O ring replacement.

do you know what your mechanic said was tricky about it?