Which Dealership for Air Conditioning Service


Russ Oasis

GT Owner
Dec 28, 2005
17
Miami, FL
Guys, I have a 2005 with less than 1500 miles on it. I noticed that the AC isn't blowing very cold. The refrigerant must have leaked out from lack of use. Which dealership is most reliable for a repair like this? I live in the South Miami / Coral Gables area, somewhat near Dadeland. Which dealership can be trusted with my car?
Russ
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
Almost any dealership or AC specialist can recharge the system - just pull out the trunk liner and they can get to the AC line ports to charge it and leak check as far as they can go.
 

Russ Oasis

GT Owner
Dec 28, 2005
17
Miami, FL
Thanks Ralph.
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,281
I strongly recommend looking at a known trouble-spot in the GT. We have looked and done preventative maintenance in many GT's BEFORE failure.... but failure was for sure going to happen. It is worth the effort/expense for you to have this investigated. The area is above the rear splitter and metal pan. You'll need to remove these to gain access and to perform the inspection - and likely the repair. This tip is likely to save you and the dealership a LOT of time and frustration looking for the culprit. Lemme go find a pic and I'll post again as soon as I find....
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,281
OK, once you remove the front splitter and metal pan, look over at the passenger side and near the lower radiator hose (visible in pic). You will see these two AC lines and you are likely to see one resting against the very sharp plate as shown. If you have a leak, I suspect it is here. The lindes can be gently pushed upward and will stay there but over time, they will sag again. We push them up and then place a piece of steel-web reinforced hose around the AC line - as shown in the second pic. Let me know if you have any questions.

BadLineBig.JPG

FixLine.jpg
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
It's mind boggling to me that evidently nobody on the GT's engineering, design, or assembly crews spotted this OBVIOUS problem area at some point...to say nothing about failing to address it.

'Just totally nuts IMO...
 

Lorenzo

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Dec 28, 2008
626
U.S.A.
It's mind boggling to me that evidently nobody on the GT's engineering, design, or assembly crews spotted this OBVIOUS problem area at some point...to say nothing about failing to address it.

I suspect that when our cars were assembled it was not evident that there would be a possibility of the refrigerant line coming in contact with another sharp object. Perhaps there was plenty of room at first and then in time things settled as Kendal stated in his post. On my car when i checked this about a year ago it was not a problem, there was plenty of space between these two items and it didnt seam as if it was ever going to become a problem however i did just as Kendal has shown and applied " an ounce of prevention " as they say, so mine should be fine.
 
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NJF

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Any pics on removing the front splitter?

Thanks,

Jeff
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
IMO, no assembly guy worth his salt could look at that setup and not realize that chaffing gear of some kind needed to be installed between the tubes and the edge of the up-turned metal plate. It's just logic and common sense. 'Same applies wherever these tubes may contact something when wrapping around corners. It's just too darned obvious there's very likely going to be a contact/sawing/wear thru problem in these areas caused by vibration/jarring sometime down the road if that isn't done.

'Just my $00.02.
 

Lorenzo

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Dec 28, 2008
626
U.S.A.
Any pics on removing the front splitter?

Thanks,

Jeff

Its a piece of cake really, After removing the bolts it just comes right off and its very light so you can just lay under the car and rest it on your chest without any help
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,281
On my car when i checked this about a year ago it was not a problem

Definitely good news. About half of the cars we are inspecting are OK and about half or not. We've not found a correlation to model year or early/late production. Luck of the draw.
 

richardhead

GT Owner
Sep 19, 2006
169
I strongly recommend looking at a known trouble-spot in the GT. We have looked and done preventative maintenance in many GT's BEFORE failure.... but failure was for sure going to happen. It is worth the effort/expense for you to have this investigated. The area is above the rear splitter and metal pan. You'll need to remove these to gain access and to perform the inspection - and likely the repair. This tip is likely to save you and the dealership a LOT of time and frustration looking for the culprit. Lemme go find a pic and I'll post again as soon as I find....

Thanks for the heads up on the hoses! Another issue has been with the A/C compressor clutch failing. Check this also.
 

FBA

GT Owner
Dec 5, 2010
1,672
31.022340° N / 44.846191° W
Wow - who'd a thought! Thanks for that tip - I'm doing mine next week to be safe.
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,189
Las Vegas, NV
Wow - who'd a thought! Thanks for that tip - I'm doing mine next week to be safe.

Yep, since mine is up on jack stands now I will take a look.
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
Kendall -

Would you thus recommend that they leave the splitter and panel off when going to have the AC refilled, so that the area is accessible for leak checking?
 

ultrasportracing

GT Owner
Aug 31, 2011
491
Perth Western Australia
Thanks nota4re,, will do mine when assembling
 

JimmyK

GT Owner
May 27, 2008
42
Lafayette, California
Hi Nota, Where are the rear splitter and metal pan located - in engine compartment or the trunk? And what is a rear splitter. Sorry for me ignorance. Thanks, Jimmy
 

Lorenzo

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Dec 28, 2008
626
U.S.A.
Hi Nota, Where are the rear splitter and metal pan located - in engine compartment or the trunk? And what is a rear splitter. Sorry for me ignorance. Thanks, Jimmy

I believe he ment to type Front splitter. Technically Ford refer's to it as a {Chin Spoiler}. Next in line as we go twards the rear of the car is a removable metal panel called { Radiator Opening} Then dead center of the car under the gas tank is an aluminum panel called {Solid tunnel shear plate} next is the {Front engine underbody panel} also I might add that in one part of the book it is refered to as the {Engine compartment shield} followed by the {Rear engine underbody panel} that is actually under the transaxel and sometimes refered to as a Diffuser, however the book dosent actually call it a diffuser, Long story short there is no rear splitter. The only other under body panels are the ones under the seats on either side that are rivited on.
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,219
North Carolina
FYI - If I remember correctly the AC system was supplied to Ford for the GT by Vintage Air....
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
'Correct, sir.