Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor

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Wed 9 May 2018 13:38
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - Dabooka

Afternoon, I'm after some advice regarding a faulty compressor on an aging and creaky Ford.

I'm in the middle of preparing said car for a banger rally to Monte Carlo, and the AC isn't working. We've had it tested and miraculously there's no leaks and it holds pressure well, thus the compressor is looking likely as the culprit. I know little other than it's possibly the clutch but don't know how / what this entails.

I have purchased a used unit from a breaker to have a look and see how they work, but what I guess I'm after is advice on either swapping the unit over or preferably an override to engage the clutch permanently? It'll almost certainly be on all the time anyway and the deadline is looming fast.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

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Wed 9 May 2018 19:33
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - elekie&a/c doctor

I think a bit more investigation and testing of the system is needed before you venture into a Heath Robinson fix. Not a good idea to override the clutch circuit ,as this will eventually lead to a catasrophic failure of the system,as the pump is driven by the main poly vee belt that also drives the alternator and pas. Fortunately ,the water pump is driven off a seperate belt driven of the rear of the front camshaft.

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Wed 9 May 2018 20:02
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - Dabooka

I think a bit more investigation and testing of the system is needed before you venture into a Heath Robinson fix. Not a good idea to override the clutch circuit ,as this will eventually lead to a catasrophic failure of the system,as the pump is driven by the main poly vee belt that also drives the alternator and pas. Fortunately ,the water pump is driven off a seperate belt driven of the rear of the front camshaft.

Thanks for replying Doc, I hoped you'd make an appearance!

Yes, we've replaced the vee belt and water pump belt in anticipation of the tour (as needless to say they were 'worn'). Deep down I know overiding the clutch wouldn't be the wise thing to do, I guess I was clutching at straws somewhat!

Any advice on how to proceed? I assume it's a compressor out job to replace the clutch? Someone mentioned adjusting the shims to reduce the gap for the electromagnetic coil?

TIA

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Wed 9 May 2018 20:40
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - elekie&a/c doctor

I would proceed by having the system charged with gas,and then find out why the clutch does not engage. With the system switched on ,(a/c mode on the climate panel),you should hear (within a few seconds)the cooling fans cut in on slow speed. There should then be a power supply to the pump magnetic clutch coil. No power here would indicate a fault in the power supply through the 2 pressure safety switches or various other wiring/fuse/relay problems. I realise its an old car,but the a/c circuit is fairly complex. Interesingly, when the system is up and running correctly,it would put many a new cars a/c to shame. It is a very crude system ,but very efficient. The clutch plate is adjustable for wear by re-shimming the air gap.It may just be possible to do this on the car.

Edited by elekie&a/c doctor on 09/05/2018 at 20:41

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Wed 9 May 2018 20:55
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - Dabooka

Marvellous stuff, thank you.

We did have it charged with no leak, and turning the AC 'on' certainly affects the idle speed too. Thecompressor being borked is basically what the Kwik Fitter told us, as he couldn't see any other obvious reason. I haven't checked the electical supply yet though, that's a very good point.

Also the self diagnistic test you can run didn't show anything obvious, but I don't know how effective that is. Well it displayed 88 or something.

Cheers,

Dabooka

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Wed 9 May 2018 22:04
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - elekie&a/c doctor

These swift-fit outlets don't really have the experience and knowledge to fault find. The selftest function is only for the climate control panel electronics,not the a/c compressor cycle. I would find a good indy a/c specialist that can do some basic testing and perhaps confirm the pump is toast.

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Wed 9 May 2018 22:55
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - SLO76
I’m no help regards getting it to work but I took a slightly crusty old Mondeo on the Rex to Nice banger rally a few years back and can’t recomend this kind of jaunt enough. It was a total hoot.

I bought a 2000 W plate 1.8 LX with 65,000 miles for £300 and the only flaw aside from the hole in the boot floor was the a/c being non functional. A local garage kindly offered to replace the compressor with a used one they had which did still work for free as we were collecting for charity. I can’t imagine how hot it would’ve been with four of us in that car through France and Italy without it. I sold the car (kitted out as the General Lee) for £300 when we came back to another couple of lads heading to Venice.

I did buy a V6 Cougar a while back for £300 to do another but wife, young child and the car being way too nice to ruin all got in the way and I flogged it to a chap from Newcastle for a tidy profit. Being black it would’ve made a great Kitt or Smokey and the Bandit Transam. Greedy but that old V6 sounded great.

Enjoy it, the memories will last a lifetime.

Edited by SLO76 on 09/05/2018 at 22:56

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Wed 9 May 2018 23:09
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - Dabooka

Thanks for the replies chaps, genuinely appreciated. I do know of a place nearby that's been recommended so I'l give them a bell.

RE: The rally. Me and my two pals talked about it a few years ago but only signed up last September, and really can't wait. Funnily enough, my Cougar's in black too and is also in Newcastle, but I got mine for free as an MOT fail from my father in law (although it wasn't free to fix up!). Depending when you flogged it I may even know the chap as an infrequent attendee on the Cougar forum. There aren't that many left afterall and even fewer black ones in the Toon.

I have a blog should you be interested: www.dabooka.co.uk

Edited by Dabooka on 09/05/2018 at 23:50

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Thu 10 May 2018 01:49
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - SLO76
Interesting read and car looks familiar. Mine was X161KNM, I’ve just checked and it seems it was off the road for a while but is currently Mot’d. I’ve every confidence it would’ve taken me anywhere I wanted to go but a/c didn’t work (as you’d expect), the synchro was weak on 3rd gear and it did like a drink, much the same as myself. Chap who bought it said he’d owned a few of them before.

Edited by SLO76 on 10/05/2018 at 01:50

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Thu 10 May 2018 20:36
Ford Cougar (Duratec 2.5 V6) - A/C Compressor - Dabooka

That certainly sounds familiar, th chap I'm thinking of has had a few now; he shifts his parts across when one gets scrapped!

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