I have a 1993 f150 xl with the 5.0l and 5 speed. today is the first day this year i have had to use my ac and it is not blowing out the clod air it was last summer. I dont think it has been recharged in a while. I am not sure if it is r12 or if it is r134. I want to know what one ford used when they built these trucks. and what i need to do to recharge the system. Thanks

 

Look for the sticker under the hood that has the catalyst info, belt routing, etc on it. It will also have the refirgerant type on it (and how much). '93 was right at the border betwen r12 and 134a so it is not easy to say.

But don't assume it is just low on freon. You need to get a set of AC gages on it to tell what is really going on. Maybe compressor going bad, maybe freon leak, ... no way to tell w/o the gages.

-Dave

 

pull the service cap from one of the ports.

- If it has external threads and looks like a big tire (schrader) valve, it's R12.
-If it has internal threads and looks a bit like a male air line coupler fitting, it's R134a.

Just remember, if it "just needs recharged" there is a leak. AC systems don't use up refrigerant. Leaks always get worse and not better, regardless of the system you are looking at.

 

well the sticker on the silver canister says r12. i was just not sure if it had been swithed over to r134a or not. and i have heard that is is hard to find r12 and that it is really expensive. i guess i will just take it to the ford dealership and let them mess with it. thanks alot guys.