I have a 1998 Ford Contour SE with 103,000 miles on it. It belonged to my son. I am planning on selling it very shortly. It wasn't riding right so I checked it out and it needed four new tires. Those were put on today and it rides very nicely now. The only other problem I can see with the car is the air conditioner. It doesn't appear to work. I took it to a mechanic friend of mine who hooked up his pressure gauge and said it was bone dry on R134. We put in two cans ( max listed on the hood was 1lb 10 oz ) and it cooled great. For less than one hour. After running a few errands it began to cycle the compressor off and on and nothing but hot air is again blowing. I assume it has a major leak somewhere. I also assume the compressor is fine as it did cool for one hour with the system recharged. Kelley's blue book lists the cars selling price to private buyers between $2700 and 3200 depending on condition. I live in Alabama. It is hot here. My question. Should I list the car for sale for a lower price and not fix the a/c or should I take it to someone and trace the leak and fix it. I suspect I will have to take it to the dealer if I want to get it fixed and they are usually expensive. What say you auto buffs?

If the AC was dry too long, then the O-rings are shot probably on the connections to the dryer. It may be worth getting it fixed ($200 - 300) to get top dollar for it. But the leak could be corroded evaporator core, and that will be about $400 to fix. The compressor sounds like it is fine, but a pressure test would find the leak.

check everything connected with it and look for oily residue.

get a free estament someware