Ford Repair: A/c, ford excursion, orifice tube

Question
2004 Ford Excursion
The A/c air is getting warmer over the past several weeks.
It started making a ticking sound.  Sounds like it is coming from the compressor.
I have tried to put a gage on it from Advanced auto.
It shows too high of a pressure on the low pressure side of the condenser.
Do you know what has happened.
Thanks,
John


Answer
Hello John,
        From the symptom you described, the compressor needs to be replaced, and SOON! The longer you run it like that, the more metallic pieces of it's internal parts are being forced through the system through the oil. The high head pressure is caused by a restriction in the system, usually at the orifice tube(the only filter in the system and where the actual expansion occurs). Hopefully, there isn't too much stuck in the condenser(in front of the radiator and before the orifice tube). You can sometomes successfully backflush condensers also, with approved chemicals, with the system open. Replacement of the accumulator/drier is also recommended, because it stores a great deal of that metallic oil that destroys the new compressor long term, and moisture, which is harmful to the system for different reasons. I am sorry to say that when a compressor becomes noisy, usually you have to rebuild most of the system to get the new one to last(and I suggest ony new, not remanufactured).Good luck!  Shaun.