I have a 98 4X4 Ranger, auto, 3.0 V-6. The last couple of weeks it seems the AC is not blowing as cool as it used to. I had a pound of coolant(?) added about 2 years ago,which was 2 years after I bought it. It seems to leak about a pound every 2 years apparently, but with the weather getting hotter I don't want it getting any less efficient.

Question. Is there a shade tree fix, and what is it. I've seen R134 listed on a couple of posts here, but is that what I need? The system seems to work fine and the mechanic is only too happy to hook up the guages and add another pound or so.

Thanks

 

If your ranger is a 98 then the (coolant) freon is R134. Sounds like your A/C system has a slow leak. Has your mechanic checked for leaks in the system? They can add freon with a dye to your system to find where the leak is coming from. however, with a leak that small it might be hard to locate. With my experience a small leak eventually turns into a big leak any you will start adding freon more often.

 

The mech. told me the stuff will even leak through the hoses eventually. I haven't had him check for a leak yet, but will do that later this summer. I recently got my wife a new rig and other finanicial hits have shorten my expendible cash considerably.
My main question here is, is it ok to just add the over the counter stuff from Shuck's, Auto Zone, etc...? I'll just have to temp fix it if there is a larger leak. I'm sure you're correct in that it's R124. Is there any other stuff except Freon?

 

If you start adding over the counter stuff be prepared for a hefty bill when you decide to have it done correctly.

Mixing and adding stuff is asking for trouble, and unless your mechanic has a device that will detect contaminants his machine will become almost useless.

 

In my experience freon will not leak through any hoses unless there is a hole in the hose, loose fittings somewhere, o-rings leaking, etc. I've heard mechanic's and other people say freon will leak out over time somewhere in the system. I don't believe it, unless there is a leak somewhere. I have a 94 ranger and I've never touched the A/C, still blows cold air. My mom has a 73 mercury, she's had it for years, still blows cold air. Even my experience with r-134 as opposed to R-12, same story. Of course there are other factor's that can cause you A/C not to cool, however if you have to keep adding freon then there is a leak somewhere.

 

I would just add the pound every 2 years, it's cheaper to add the $5 can of freon then pay $100 to fix the leak. FYI, if you don't use your A/C on a regular basis the seals wont get lubricated and will harden and start to leak.

 

Adding any freon, either R 12 or 134a to a known leaking system can take life out of your pocket book.

There are very hefty fines for that.