Wishy washy AC

jlank · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 06:31 PM

My ac can't seem to make up its mind. It'll blow cold then a little warmer than cold again. Could I be a little low on freon.

Thanks
Joel

wresleu · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 07:36 PM

Most likely. Go buy yourself a bottle of refrigerant, and make sure you get the kind with the oil/sealant just in case. Use the kind with the built in gauge, and check your freon level before you add more. The problem could be elsewhere but I doubt it.

jlank · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 07:38 PM

Thanks I just posted to your stealership post!!

projectSHO89 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlank

My ac can't seem to make up its mind. It'll blow cold then a little warmer than cold again. Could I be a little low on freon.

Thanks
Joel

Not very likely. If the refrigerant level were low, it would not change temps...

More likely, it's either a blend door or clutch gap issue. There are other possibilities, but a low charge is not very likely.

Steve

KingRanchMan02 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 10:31 AM

Project is right. Temperature fluctuations are not likely to be a low freon problem. Is the compressor short cycling at all? Is the complessor clutch noisy?

wresleu · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 03:49 PM

I was experiencing the same symptoms just last week. I bought a can of freon, checked the level, it read low, so I added to the appropriate level, and all has been fine since. However the compressor does seem to make some weird grinding noise still. So apparantly I may have a leak.

projectSHO89 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wresleu

I was experiencing the same symptoms just last week. I bought a can of freon, checked the level, it read low, so I added to the appropriate level, and all has been fine since. However the compressor does seem to make some weird grinding noise still. So apparantly I may have a leak.

It's also likely that it's improperly charged and/or is starving for oil.

Steve

jlank · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 07:54 PM

Doesn't seem noisy or like it's kicking on and off. It's just a little warmer then it should be. All 3 other trucks I've owned would freeze you out of the cab. Maybe the extra volume of the extended makes a difference, LOL.

Thanks for helping
Joel

wresleu · #9 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 08:24 PM

Sorry to hijack the thread...but projectSHO when you say starving for oil, is there a ratio that is supposed to be met? Would the system need to be drained down and refilled to guarantee that ratio be met?
The reason I ask is this, I bought the kind of freon that has the oil/conditioner mixed in, and just assumed it would be the proper ratio of freon to conditioner/oil.

projectSHO89 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:21 AM

There is a proper volume of oil that the system requires.

Once a system has leaked or has opened, it is impossible to know exactly how much lubricant is in the system although an educated guess can be made based on what has occurred.

The only way to know for certain is to flush the entire system out, drain the compressor, replace the accumulator, and to fill the system from scratch with the correct amount of oil and to charge the system with the specified weight.

Anything else is a guess.

Steve

NEBFRD · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 09:19 PM

DO NOT use the leak sealer crap!!! That stuff plugs orifices and driers. I have dealt with this time and time again. I know that the advertisement looks good but the only things that are supposed to be in a refrigeration system are oil and refrigerant.