Warning...air conditioner clutch bolt will come loose

[sixiron]

2 of my contractors ,that have powerstroke vans, have had this same problem...both vans are 2000's...there is a small 5/16 headed bolt that is located in the center of the air conditioner clutch(magnetic clutch that engages a/c) that will work itself loose and come out giving you a missing part of your a/c(both of these guys had it happen while on the road driving, all they knew was the A/C stoppped working)....replacements are around $100.00+ at Ford,Advance auto was higher....next air cleaner service check yours...I made sure mine was tight by turning on the air cond with the ignition only on not with engine running ...this will allow the magnetic clutch to engage the air cond compressor and you will be able to tighten with a socket.My .02 bd

[Yardbrew]

Sixiron,

Thanks for the great heads-up!

I'll add that little task to my inspections.

Does you know what the torque specs are on that bolt?

Did you remove it and apply Loktite?

Yardbrew

[sixiron]

Yeah , I should have checked mine more in detail...I've been so busy lately ,on the road,that my main concern was making sure that the bolt was tight...I'll have to see what my ford CD says a/f/a torque.. medium locktite is probably a good idea..it's on my project list now...Sat. I was into the air filter mod, oil change, reoiling my air filters that I didn't take time to throw in another job ...bd