Expert: Sean Halliday - 8/16/2009

Question
Single mom here wondering:

1) if a whine from the engine area when the a/c is turned on and lingering awhile after its off is indicative the air conditioning is the cause... and if its expensive to repair?

2) Car has 180,000 kms... and thinking if this repair is going to be expensive will there be more soonish?  Or what the average top odometer reading can be expected?  Was going to keep for another year or so, but thinking already spent $500 on this month... maybe should sell before the summer returns and we need a/c.

Answer
The average life on your car depends on the maintenance.On most Fords i would expect the engine to run at least 90/100k before major overhaul.The  noise could be the a/c clutch,belt,idler pulley or the compressor itself.If the problem is a/c ,then its always expensive.