Ford Explorer Replace A/C Condenser

[@dmkaeding]

The hardest part is finding space to put all the removed pieces without losing them. Love your channel.

[@WatchWesWork]

So true!

[@sportsguy1992]

​@@WatchWesWork same with the 2017 Ford edge suv awd and the battery cable connects differently but you gotta do what you have to do

[@sportsguy1992]

​@@WatchWesWork question is where would there be any tow hooks on my 2017 Ford edge sel awd model

[@CAPNMAC82]

@@sportsguy1992 That's easy, with the AWD, you have to flatbed your Edge, it really can't be towed (and a reputable tow company s supposed to decline to wheel tow or they are on the hook for drivetrain damage).

[@donbullock8790]

Hello Wes; Sadly in todays economy we have two choices, pay the price or do without. Even though the book says 6 hours you were lucky not to find frozen or broken bolts, bad connectors, well you get the drift. I always enjoy your videos, there's just not enough of them.

[@osrr6422]

My work car (Mazda 3) has what I believe is a bad pressure switch. I simply live without it.

[@SeersantLoom]

The AC in my old car deleted itself. It had a leak and bad compressor clutch coil. The climate here allows going around without AC, there's about month per year where you start wishing for it to work. While somewhat inconvenient, it did good for fuel economy. Around 15-20% less fuel consumption, it amounts to something. The repairs were quoted around 300EUR several years ago, probably don't wanna know today's prices.

[@rustyjeep2469]

First current model vehicle I worked on out of collision repair school... made me immediately reconsider getting into that industry.

[@mikemaccracken3112]

Looking rough Wes. Gotta be tough getting parts and with prices going through the roof. I wish you and your family the best in these difficult times.

[@lostintime8651]

Actually the price is not the real issue. Getting the parts or anything else is the hard part.

[@Me-zo8yc]

I lost it at "It's not the best....but it is the cheapest"

[@charleshenshaw9099]

It seems that auto repair is a lot like fishing, you have to hold your mouth right before the magic will happen. Cheers

[@mph5896]

I pretty much order most of my car parts online. Takes a few days, in which I can usually wait. OEM condenser for that Explorer is $210 shipped. I am over buying junk parts that don't work or fit out of the box.

[@billsargent3407]

@@charleshenshaw9099 Thats a saying I got from my greatgrandfather...

[@peterstill502]

It had never occurred to me, in over half a century of working on cars, that you could use a magnetic parts tray upside-down! Thanks Wes!

[@MortskeRepair]

At the start I have was hoping you’d say “You know what pisses me off? When the customer says they’ve worked on it before and that they know what the problem is.”

[@petegraham1458]

True!

[@Jay-lc1nh]

That's why we watch your show too Mortske, for a nice balance of saninity.

[@philtowle4683]

When very drunk once I thought about creating a comedy character whose catchphrase was "Doesn't it really piss you off when.." everyone else didn't find it as funny as me.

[@MortskeRepair]

@@philtowle4683 "You know what grinds my gears?"

[@FourbrrlGrabber]

If they already "know"... I let them be right and do as requested with disclaimers...

[@ScoobyMaxC]

And just like that the weekend got better! Glad to see you found a way to inject some magic smoke back into your internet connection and/or encouraged the donkey back onto the treadmill. Fantastic work and humour as always 👍🏻.

[@WatchWesWork]

He's limping along.

[@mummabear01]

Welcome back, Wes. You are my favorite KZbin mechanic. Always remember, no news is good news.

[@paulkoontz6095]

Not only are parts more expensive but the new ones can be unreliable. Hard to keep the old rigs on the road. Great video. Have a good one.

[@mnmarlin6074]

Like Eric O from South Main Auto says "just because its new doesnt mean its good'

[@donlahey1734]

The Ford Exploder: Designed by engineers to be mostly disposable, much like the Dodge Neon. Well done Wes! Your dry sargasmic (sarcastic) commentary is always a good chuckle as well!

[@mphilleo]

I think the Neon was basic enough to have a chance of making it to 100,000 miles, as long as you don't count valve jobs. 🤣

[@janeames1513]

@@mphilleo i had a neon and ran the wheels off of it and never done anything other than oil changes...i heard people pissin and moanin about em but mine kept right on rollin..i sold it with 178k on the odometer and it was still runnin like a scalded cat..and they are also the fastest car in the world for power to weight ratio..or were for their time

[@donlahey1734]

@@mphilleo Within a year of their release north of the boarder, the bone yards were full of them! LMAO

[@donlahey1734]

@@janeames1513 Maybe the power to weight ratio was why thousands of them wound up in the scrapyard a year after their release, looking like they should still be on the road.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

I didn’t know I could use the magnetic bolt bowl upside down! Learn with Wes 101! Thanks

[@vincebrown5158]

I thought the same thing...adding to my bag of tricks.

[@jockodog2009]

It works. The world is UPside down. The trim fasteners are the problem. They easily end up scattered into unknowable hiding places.

[@aserta]

Just be careful not to exceed your magnet's ability to hold shit on it. You'd pile the bolts/nuts whathave you on top, you'd think it's ok and then you shake something and when you're done and you wanna put shit back together you realize you lost one and start cursing whilst looking like an old lady who lost her glasses. TLDR, get a really powerful magnet one, cheapo specials are shit.

[@wurly164]

It wasn't upside down, he flipped the car on the roof, much easier working on the undercarriage 😉

[@terryharvey4811]

@@jockodog2009 RIGHT, works on metal, not so good on plastic.

[@GMC.Sprint]

Delt with compound heat exchangers in the past. They expand at different rates and are prone to cracking. Note how this one failed on the end near the oil cooler. In the winter the oil cooler part would have been hot and expanded while the condenser portion would have been cold and contracted.

[@bostedtap8399]

Great work Wes, yes, prices have risen, but salaries haven't. Thanks for sharing

[@michaelashcraft8569]

I am 70 yrs old and I can remember when A/C wasn't even offered on most cars except Cadillac, Lincoln, a very few other luxury cars, but, WE survived!! Our prices in everything are being manipulated by forces, and, people we know naught of.

[@marshallpoe8087]

Honest, hard working, and knowledgeable mechanics will be the ones that survive in the market we find ourselves in. Those that have adopted the "honest pay for an honest day's work" philosophy are getting harder and harder to find. 'Word of mouth' is a very powerful tool for an honest shop today and I think you will have more than enough work to keep you busy.

[@trevor7918]

Hey Wes! I use an old milk filter funnel with the disk filters to strain coolant. Set it on a pail and pour it all in. Holds like four gallons

[@josh33025]

I'll be honest I rarely use the a/c. Just the windows down is good enough for me. Probably being a construction worker being in the heat all day makes me used to it.

[@janeames1513]

i work in a steel mill and haven't had a/c in my car for almost 4 years..i call my a/c 2-70...2 windows down going 70 mph down the highway..but i grew up with no a/c in the cars or even in the house..we had box fans in the windows at the house

[@theronstein1760]

Your no nonsense approach to how the job is done and then your wrap up at the end is so refreshing. I hope you and your family is doing well. Thank you for the great content.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Back in the early 80s, I was a mechanic for an IH dealership. Keeping the AC operational on tractors with cabs and combines was a pain. I even pioneered a repair on combines,that eventually became standard practice.

[@brapbrapmafucka]

What was the repair you pioneered

[@md2628]

Absolutely incredible how much of a newer ford vehicle can be dismantled with just a medium dewalt impact a couple sockets and a screwdriver. Im impressed

[@benjamingirard339]

Took my vehicle in for rear brakes. I was expecting $600-$700. Mechanic called and said $4200. They "found" a whole list of crap to fix. I said nope! Rear brakes! Dude was so pushy and rude I ended up going and getting it. Replaced rotors and pads myself for about $250. I wish I lived closer, you would get all my business. 👍👍

[@mph5896]

$4200 for just brake repair? Is that even possible🤔🤔

[@laveritesurlestemoinsdejeh8522]

@@mph5896 Not for the brakes, but for all the other things they "found" (heavy emphasis on the quote marks).

[@dandydenni1615]

Through the magic of editing… it goes back together quicker than it comes apart!

[@shakes7333]

Its always a good time when a Exploder rolls in the shop.

[@dcpack]

Right now I am kind of thankful I bought my truck while living in Ak and I have learned how to live in MO without A/C.

[@davidd8435]

Thanks for the content Mr. Wes, the engineers make it hard to repair vehicles

[@phillipkeeling7327]

People have no idea how difficult it is to work on newer cars. Except for simple stuff I quit wrenching on my cars in the 80s when they started cramming front wheel drive and transaxles and everything else into to small places. I have a tremendous respect for folks like Wes who can methodically work their way through these ridiculous designs. And what’s with all the damn clips!? I usually figure them out by the last clip after breaking ten or so.

[@hanssundkvist]

Thats one advantage of living here in the north of Sweden, we can cope without A/C those few days in the summer that is actually warm... :-D

[@WatchWesWork]

We can too, but people are babies.

[@rickharper1497]

This exactly the reason why I'm still driving a 2005 vehicle that doesn't take 6 hours to change out a radiator or condenser, don't be fooled, this is done intentionally so the average diy won't attempt this job!!!! Good stuff Wes!!

[@bobbyspannbauer5702]

Prices are crazy, I have a 2020 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L cummins, 2 days ago I got a recall (one of 3), that recall was something to do with the fuel pump losing pressure, in the weeks before, I knew something wasn't right , was going to call the dealership before but the recall came, So I bring it up they tell me the book says it's supposed to take 4 hours, it took 8 hours, the service manager says in addition to replacing the fuel pump, all the fuel lines have to be replaced , all the way back to the fuel tank, 2 days later I picked it up and signed the RO, and that job cost 1100.00, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that, but now it has lots of power and runs great

[@wb8ujb]

It is crazy, don't blame you at all. I would not be as patient. It's the customer that has to pay. But for folks like you, it's frustrating trying to defend the cost of repairs. Thanks for you time and effort. Appreciate the share and explanation of everything.

[@johnstokes2246]

This was almost enough to make me wish I still drove the 51 Chevy my Dad had when I was growing up. Sold it for $30.00 still running after 17 years.

[@JacobTechShit]

30?

[@ermancroney3805]

The price of inflation is much higher than people realize. It affects all of our lives in nearly every aspect. Lots of pressure! Thanks Wes.

[@johnfalco9528]

Another great video. In this economy everyone knows prices are way up but thanks to your input the true numbers of just exactly how high they have become are less hidden. Keep up the great video’s.

[@JesStricker]

Great video Wes! Always look forward to seeing them weekly. Sorry to hear about the lightning strike issue. Glad things seem back to normal.

[@motormaker]

Welcome back Wes. I hope you’re not finding any new problems from your lightening strike. Those can be a bear to get all sorted out sometimes. Thanks for the vid.

[@WatchWesWork]

So far so good.

[@mikehynes6632]

Glad to have you back Dr. Wes!

[@craigsowers8456]

Yep, having all those "Specialty Tools" makes the task go quicker ... wish I could send you THE "Specialty Tool" you need most ... another set of hands Wes !!! And don't be too hard on Detroit ... they all break and much more expensive to replace the AC Delco Compressor in a MB 450SL than a Chevy PU ... I've had to do both (and there wasn't any plastic involved on the MB). Great job as usual !

[@michaelb.5345]

We know who one of the best u tube wrenches is brother. You are him, just keep doing what you do with this line of junk made today. Thank you Wes..

[@Larry-325]

Wes I do feel your pain. Supply and prices are insane. I retired a couple of years ago but owned my own salt water Marine Service business and I only wish people could understand that service people don’t own a garage full of expensive cars and villas in Europe. It was crazy when I retired but can’t imagine what it’s like now. Service people really do work hard to get you going ASAP. They really aren’t just sitting on your job. Also if we all charged for every hour , like we should, doing the work chasing parts and taking care of misc repairs not part of the job that in good conscious can’t overlook but you will not end up paying for in the end because it’s just something you take care of and help out the customer. If people really knew what they were getting for the buck they wouldn’t complain to the person who isn’t getting rich off your repair. And when you drive away from your mechanic in your vehicle with 150,000 miles on it and the next day have a new sound don’t call the guy who worked on it and demand he or she take care of it because they touched it last. Ok I’ll stop. I am just rambling! Wes your an awesome mechanic and business owner and people should appreciate what they have in your area. Ok off my soap box now. Great video! 👍👍👍👍😃😳

[@mbasiletti]

That bumper went on...like it was made for it...which isn't how it would have gone for me. There's skill and experience for you. Good work Wes, thanks for sharing!

[@timkothavala6558]

So nice to have you back in cyberspace. I always enjoy the videos. Thanks.

[@kevincrosby8998]

I think we are on a mission to find the straw that breaks the camels back. Prices are going to continue to rise and parts availability is going to continue to dwindle because of the supply chain issues that continue to deteriorate. What worries me is that people like Wes who do this kind of work are going to get crushed when the music stops. Small business is the backbone of the American economy and when that deteriorates, the future doesn't look so bright. I am hoping Wes, for you and your family, that this can somehow get turned around. I don't know how or by who, I'm just hoping. Thanks for the great video!

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

Welcome back! People bring the challenging jobs to you for a reason... A) to drive you crazy B) to actually get things fixed. Which one is true? C: All of the above.

[@dansevern3291]

Glad to see you back, with no new lightning strikes. Needed a dry humor fix.

[@gregm312]

good to see you back up and running vid wise .

[@Arnthorg]

In Iceland, A bottle of 134 is about $2000 now with the carbon extortion added

[@tomland5837]

Thanks Wes!! I watch all of you videos and learn from them all! God Bless sir!!!

[@chrislambert2889]

Glad somewhat life back normal with line by site internet please keep going the direction take a deep breath you're doing amazing thank you

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi Wes good to have you back. Hope family is ok. Many thanks for the videos and info. From Nr Liverpool UK.

[@clarencecoffin137]

Never had AC growing up, and usually forget it's there now. however , you no what they say. "if you can't stand the heat, don't ask me for a ride"!

[@frankm8533]

Nice job Wes. Ur right things have gone to hell on prices and will never go back down

[@bryanphillips6666]

GREED

[@engineeringpunk]

The industrial powerhouse of Cambodia is my favorite industrial powerhouse.

[@JDMSwervo2001]

I like how he looks at the car and back at the camera repeatedly

[@glencaple3888]

According to Chris Fix a proper A/C 'job' takes several hours. And that's with the proper A/C equipment. Do the job right the first time, all the time, to keep customers happy. You're doing a great job, Wes. Keep up the good work!

[@WatchWesWork]

Well if he said it it has to be true.

[@glencaple3888]

@@WatchWesWork That's the spirit!

[@johndunbar2393]

My air conditioner in my pickup never goes bad and has worked like a champ, since 1980............it's called butterfly windows.

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

Only downside is when a bee gets sucked in and ricochet into yer lap doin 60 ! Lol (been there!)

[@johndunbar2393]

@@JohnSmith-tv5ep I had a wasp get blowed in once, but never a bee. Needless to say, my steed was dancing around the road pretty good till I brought it to a halt and handled the situation.

[@pi1797]

Just pray it is not a Yellowjacket… Been there. A Yellowjacket got in my old car a 75 Plymouth. That car stopped on a dime.. 😂😂

[@andregooch2322]

That was spot on and you explained as you were removing the parts from the car and installing the new parts back in 🎉😅

[@alecmccance8409]

Always love your videos Wes, I agree with you on the price of anything now, its becoming ridiculous, somewhere along the line someone is making a fortune, and its certainly not people like yourself, I thought things were bad enough here in the UK, but it seems like its a world side problem, when are ever going to get back to normality. Thanks once again for posting another great video.

[@jamesbergeron8356]

Glad to see you are back!!!! Thanks Wes, now can watch you work again.

[@tjhanlonjr]

Glad your back wes thanks for the videos as a person who works on cars alot it damages the soul when people just want to fix one thing when you know all of them are the problem.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Seems to me that perhaps 55 years ago the Ford ad slogan was "Better ideas come from Ford." A LOT has changed since then. Be safe, be blessed by God.

[@PGSchroe]

I'm almost out of 134 and after hearing your comment I figured I better get some. Just looked it up on O'Reilly's site. $499 for a 30lb can. Holy moly.

[@terryharvey4811]

Autozone had it last week for $345.00. That's in Tennessee.

[@ksokie63]

Yes , Wes parts are going though the roof and it don't matter what mode of transportation it is. Thanks for sharing and hope you and family had a great memorial weekend 🖐

[@phooesnax]

You got to appreciate two cup holders on top of the engine!

[@ralphcrume2173]

Old customer new customer , no money no workie. Reminds of a sign I seen long time ago in a shop. In GOD we trust. All others pay cash ! Seems like a good way to do business

[@fataxe1]

I was raised to go without for silly comforts. I never got the types where they've got three bald tires, torn boots on ball joints, and a whining rear end, but the ac HAS to be fixed...

[@WatchWesWork]

I know what you mean.

[@utidjian]

Used to be that one simply cranked the vent windows open. Remember those?

[@mdouglaswray]

Manufacturers are slowly learning to make things accessible but it's a very slow process. I'm impressed at how quick you tore that down! Maybe the business to get into is preventative maintenance - those repair prices are scary!!!!

[@MRrwmac]

Wes, You have a keen knack to find and order those specialy made components from the far reaching corners of the world and put them in the most popular mechanics dream vehicles. It’s nothing less than a gift given to you by the powers above! Oh and by the way, Nice work! Thanks for sharing.

[@OcotilloTom]

I live near Phoenix, Arizona where we have to have A/C to function. By early May we had already hit 107 (f) (actual not heat index). June thru Aug. 110-115 daily, with an occasional 120 thrown in. Usually our last 100 is Halloween or there about. Our home A/C runs 24/7 from April thru Oct.. Up side is 6 months of glorious weather, no humidity to speak of, no mosquitos or flies. El Mirage, Arizona

[@jeremyTallen1]

when I seen the coolant being drained in to the drain pain on the floor my first thought was. He is brave man I would step right in it or drop my bolts in it. Good work! Parts are getting crazy I have been shopping around alot and make sure I have been using discounts. Shipping prices have been almost half the price of the parts lately. I wonder if that has anything to do with rising fuel costs. 🤔

[@ChevyConQueso]

Trucking is costing over a dollar a mile for many. So yes, of course it is. Our government did a pretty good job hurting the industry previously, and any costs must be passed on to the consumer, or they will go out of business. Same with any mandates and requirements that increase overhead. (Think ULSD, more expensive emissions controls and reduced reliability, operation limitations, etc.)

[@onemoredeadman]

Nice feature, cup holders on the engine cover. Good seeing how often you'd have to be under there

[@spc.callahan1462]

I own one of these explorers, I love them as much as you do. I threw the splash shield away the 2nd time I went underneath, threw the engine cover away the 3rd time it came off....so much plastic to get to the trouble spot.

[@johnz8210]

That was great. Strainer - I use one of the hats the corporate parts store gives me. The nylon mesh works good as a strainer and the hat fits the funnel pretty good.

[@silent1967]

I'm 62 and that looks like a young man's job. I'll drink my coffee and chit chat with mama Wes at the kitchen table while you work. 😀 Oh, I don't fix my AC systems when they go out, I just roll down the windows.

[@ronaldlinton9395]

Glad to see your back hope everything goes well getting your internet back up and running

[@dangerrangerlstc]

I love AC work. Its one of those systems that the lay person thinks is voodoo magic. But the function itself is pretty simple, albeit with some specialized fluid/gas. Heavy trucks is still pretty simple to work on. But yes, sometimes parts are unobtainium. Sometimes easier for the local hydro shop to make hoses than wait a month from the manufacturer.

[@mph5896]

Yup, ac work is quite easy once you understand it and have the necessary tools. Gauge set, scale, vacuum pump, thermometer, (about $500 worth of tools) and you are pretty much all set to go. Recently I added a inert gas tank and regulator to the arsenal. Add a standalone recovery machine and you can pretty much do anything a shop ac machine can do. Transmission work and rear end work is also the voodoo systems I enjoy. 😀

[@joecostantino3684]

@@mph5896 The problem is that recovery machine can get pretty pricey.. I know the ones the shops use can be upwards of 4k easily. They have smaller portable ones for a few hundred but no idea how good of quality they are. Not having one of those machines is the really the only thing tying my hands as far as full on AC work goes.

[@lisashiela9137]

Oh but I beg to differ, it is VooDoo Majic if you believe Dupont. Dupont claimed to have discovered that their R12 product was going to destroy the O Zone and should not be used any longer. The notion that CFCs deplete the ozone layer is scientific fraud that was promoted by the DuPont chemical company in the 1980s. Why? Because their patent for freon was ending, which meant that all those manufactures of air conditioners and refrigerators could now buy this stuff cheaper from any of their competitors -

[@stephenasbridge878]

Always enjoy watching these. It’s good for customers to understand the labour and costs involved. Educational content.

[@wallysprint]

Thanks for the videos Wes! I do enjoy watching you work...

[@Dmbyers2002]

Hey Wes, I do mobile equipment repairs, and quite a bit of AC work. I often use nitrogen and soapy water to leak test. You can static charge a system to 200-300psi, I also often use the nitrogen to purge the system so I can braze cracks in lines and heat exchangers rather than replace them if possible. With the high cost of refrigerant, this makes more and more sense over a charge with dye to find leaks.

[@18robsmith]

Tip of the day - do not drop a short 1/4" extension onto the fan of a P38 Range Rover when warming up the engine just after changing the whole radiator pack.......

[@mrmotofy]

Video??? :)

[@av8tore71]

I buy vehicles from COPART all the time and fixing up smashed vehicles became an expensive hobby but since I am I have found out the Ford & Chevy SUV's are a jigsaw puzzle when you take them apart to get to the spot welds to fix or take a section of the dents out of the frame. Putting the vehicle back together is simple bang of the Palm of your hand!!

[@TKevinBlanc]

Glad your back, Wes.

[@chukzombi]

in my 23 years of owning a convertible, i used the AC maybe 4 times and all those times somebody else was using it. i always just drop the top if its too hot. a good heater for winter months on the other hand is very necessary.

[@rogue13131313]

There was a time when ac was an expensive luxury that most cars did not have....hence the might wind wing...which has ling been abandoned. Life was warmer, but simpler.

[@rfbedell347]

Been in the HVAC/R business for 47+ Yrs. You are correct on the Refrigerant Prices. The thing I have learned since 1994, during the Montreal Protocol, when the Fed Gov't (EPA) want to control the refrigerant used, they tax the crap out of it, until it is not cost effective. If you think the A/C is a rough ride now, hang onto your hat. It is only going to get worse.

[@chiefjoseph8154]

When I retired from HVAC/R I stored R22. I have enough to last my lifetime.

[@davedemo8229]

hey BTW welcome back!! I guess the string for the two cans got replaced

[@WatchWesWork]

String was good. Cans were replaced.

[@terryharvey4811]

Glad to see you back after your POWER SURGE. Last year I bought a 3 cylinder deal on 134 at $70.00 per cylinder. This year it's $345.00 each. Did a Madza condenser, had to remove the metal crash bumper as well as all the stuff you pulled off the front. Customers will ride on 4 steel showing tires, but when the AC goes out, IT'S A GOTTA FIX PROBLEM. People watching this 19 min. video need to realize it took you a lot longer than that to do this job..With all the equipment and tools we have to buy, it's the mfgs and suppliers making the money, not US the wrench turners... I'd figure you had bout an hour plus in evac and charging plus an after job leak check and run time performance check. Then add in the R-R time of actual parts, way more than 19 minutes !!!!!! Oh well, I didn't start AC work till 84, bought R12 for 75 cents/can and $21.95/cylinder. Last I bought was $400.00/cylinder In the late 90's, if you could find it, it had jumped to over $900.00/cylinder. Needless to say I did a lot of retro fitting to R134a.. Just a little useless information for the viewers.

[@wes11bravo]

Ah, Cambodia. A beautiful country with great people, known for the lost city of Ankor Wat, thousands of years of intriguing culture...and for the manufacture of knock-off Ford Explorer AC condensors.

[@jockodog2009]

Khmer Rouge is more docile now that A/C parts has become lucrative.

[@terryharvey4811]

Yeah, but they don't do O rings.

[@CAPNMAC82]

Labor rate and employ production ability is near-equal to Mexico (which is why PRC is farming out labor jobs to Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam).

[@philtowle4683]

We have a football chant about that. Sorry, I am mistaken it's wankers hat.

[@renem6441]

Have to confess every time I watch your videos I get tool envy!! Thanks for sharing keep safe

[@mph5896]

I thought only I was being cheap reusing antifreeze. The biggest thing for me is disposing of the old stuff, No good way of disposal for me. I just empty antifreeze into a clean bucket, I also have a 36x36" plastic drip pan I put under the bucket (From Tractor supply for animal cages) to catch anything that misses the bucket. Run it through the paint strainer and reuse. The antifreeze with oil in it, let it sit in a bucket until the oil skims to the top. Pump all the antifreeze out on the bottom of the bucket and only have about a quart or two of waste to dispose of. I have around 10 gallons of this waste I need to bring to the town hazardous disposal day once a year🙄

[@mrmotofy]

I know a dealer tech, asked him one day. How do you guys catch coolant, he laughed. Said they open the drain plugs etc and let it hit the floor then squeegee to the floor drains...Wait so you literally dump it all down the sewer drains...YEP. He said supposedly they have some quantity they're supposed to stay under...but if NOBODY knows how much....how does anyone???? AH ok Now I know what to do with coolant haha

[@mph5896]

@@mrmotofy Reading your post 1 year later. Coolant, If I was on a city sewer, no problem. Municipalities actually say you can do it. Septic with well, I really don't want to dump chemicals into the septic like antifreeze with concerns of something getting into the water table.

[@dennis2376]

Wow that is a lot of disassembly! At one time the only thing that was there was the radiator and now there is three different components. Thank you and may you have a good week.

[@johnh8268]

So crazy that I just went through this on mine. I wanted to upgrade the halogen hi-beams to LED. I was told the bumper cover needs to come off to remove the headlights. After getting about 1/2 way through, I noticed my 2019 doesn't snap together between the bumper and fender. There are three screws that new almost impossible to get to instead. I put everything back and was able to reach the bulbs from the top after all.

[@philtowle4683]

I have found that on other cars, it says the bumper needs removing but sometimes you can reach through behind the arch liners.

[@garymucher4082]

Wes, I realize prices are going up in unbelievable amounts for such parts, but so is everything. And we either work through this difficult time and hope things return so something normal again, or we close up shop and do something else. But you are extremely good at your abilities and I love watching your trouble-shooting electrical issues. So hang in there and keep the videos coming... Thumbs Up!

[@eldoradony]

I have been doing A/C repairs for over 45 years. When I started a 1lb can of R12 was 59 cents. You could recharge a customer a couple of times a season and they were fine with that. Now I do not even want to do A/C work unless the leak is obvious. With the cost of R134 tripling this season I don't want to get married to a slow leak that I can't detect. I have one wife and that is enough for me.

[@mph5896]

Yeah, 15 years ago I would buy 30lb jugs of R134 at Same Club for around $60. Basically about the cost of a gallon of gas (today) to fill an ac system then.

[@WatchWesWork]

I agree completely. And customers are all convinced they have a "slow leak".

[@MiamiZombie2012]

Yea I went to get r134 at the local auto parts store and they're charging 20 bucks a can. Still a few small places near me that charge 7 bucks.

[@johanw9513]

The bonus to the expensive refrigerant, is that it pays to actually fix the leak, istead of just refilling and letting it slowly go into the atmosphere. Granted - Refrigerants these days are not so nasty as they used to be.

[@mrmotofy]

@@johanw9513 I read R134 is same as Green Gas, like used for gas Airsoft...ya know pull the trigger a puff of gas propels the pellet. SOOOOOO they clearly just expel to the atmosphere

[@billdyke9745]

Who needs A/C anyway? The snow's just gone and it'll be back before you can dismantle an Explorer... Cheer up, Wes. Keep thinking if all the things you can buy with those billable hours...

[@chuckstarn6841]

Unbelievable video I can’t believe these engineers were designed something like that you should have showed all the bolts and ties that you had to remove before you put it back together great job

[@gailtaylor1636]

What gets me is every one of those bolts could have a 10mm head. But nope. Some 8, some 10, some 11, some 13.

[@dewaynek8591]

@@gailtaylor1636 I was going to say the same thing, but there’s some 5.5mm’s in there too and probably some 7’s because why not?

[@chuckstarn6841]

@@gailtaylor1636 don’t forget SAE

[@CAPNMAC82]

Well, there are a couple chryslers that you had to drop the front axle to get to the oil filter; and some BM where you have to dismount the engine to get to some tune-up fittings. Occasionally, Detroit is as dumb as dumb can be.

[@MattExzy]

Everything here looks like a dick move from Ford. I lost it just at the headlight assemblies having to come off..

[@Gemini1694]

it's always a pleasure watching you work and talk about the Real world problems lifes getting tougher by the day. Keep wrenching.

[@andarthome142]

Give me the old cars with no electronics, so easy to fix👍😎

[@zombienectar]

mad respect from Canada. Never thought of using the magnetic dish upside down under the car !! ( forehead palm slap )

[@longrider8265]

That’s was commonly called a combo condenser was all the rage starting in around 2008. Alas, there were some serious long term durability issues mostly due to differential thermal expansion between the temps of the oil and refrigerant. Not sure how wide spread they still are. since they save cost for the OEM and pass it down to the consumer to take the bigger repair cost down the road, I suspect they are here to stay.

[@jjbode1]

That job was way bigger than shown. Thank you for abbreviating it.