# How hard is it to replace a broken AC compressor on a 1993 Escort 1.9L?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escort, airconditioning, ford\
**Created:** [June 14, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302 "2010-06-14T05:58:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302/1 "2010-06-14T05:58:06Z")

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It is easy to spot, but quite frankly, I don’t have the recent garage mechanic’s experience or extensive set of tools needed to get into terribly complex projects. Is this one of those things I should avoid?

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302/2 "2010-06-14T12:53:08Z")

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The complex part is not losing all the Freon if not already lost without proper knowledge and tools. You will need a shop to recharge the system in any case if you attempt this yourself.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302/3 "2010-06-14T13:29:20Z")

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Mechanical experience has nothing to do with it. Unless you are a trained air conditioning technician, you have no business trying something like this. Leave it to a certified professional.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302/4 "2010-06-14T14:08:16Z")

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In my opinion automotive AC repair does not fall into the DIY category. I’d take the car to a shop that does automotive AC work and let them tackle it.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-replace-a-broken-ac-compressor-on-a-1993-escort-1-9l/50302/5 "2010-06-14T14:13:49Z")

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The freon is already gone…the lines into and out of the compressor were physically broken off, thanks to a rock (don’t ask…).