ok guys i have a 97' 4.0 ranger and the a/c is messed up..it used to turn on but the air would never get cold so i tried the do it yourfself recharge and it seemed like the refrigerant wouldnt leave the bottle and go into the port the hose remained clear instead of white..so my buddy who owns a shop used his big machine to try and fill it and it still wouldnt accept any freon..he took the compressor apart and found tons of metal shaving everywhere..he told me i need a new compressor..is he right? and if i get one from a junkyard is there anyway to test and make sure they are good before hand? also would a compressor from say an explorer 4.0L engine fit the same? when i turn the a/c on now nothing happens at all no noise and the air is HOT...please help me i need my a/c its hot here lol...thanks in advance

 

More than likely shavings plugged up the orifice tube. You can pick up a used compressor from a junk yard (preferably from a sealed system), but you wont really know the condition until you try turning the shaft and draining the old oil from it. You'll also need a new orifice tube and accumulator/drier. Some way to flush the system. New O-rings, AC oil, Refrigerant, vacuum pump, gauges, etc...