My A/C Issue
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Caro, MI
My A/C Issue
I've read MANY posts and watched a few tutorial vids on line.
2004 Limited V-10 4x4. Todays temps at the time I did this was 88. Here's what I've done so far:
Measured compressor gap, removed shim and now I'm within .023"
Vaccuumed system down for 30 mins, do not have a lot of time on my hands, so only let it sit for 30 mins and with a great set of gauges the vaccuum stayed.
On the recharge, I did the low side with vapor and got that to 37, 38ish psi. Now when I tried the high side with liquid, I could only get the pressure to 155-160. After all of the reading and tutorials, I am under the impression that for the temps it should have climbed to 225-230 psi. I tried splashing the condensor with water to speed it up but after an hour, it was still only 155ish
My air duct output is only 63 degrees. It should be in the upper 30s to lower 40s. I don't think I have a leak, but just can't make her drink any more 134a. Any suggestions?
2004 Limited V-10 4x4. Todays temps at the time I did this was 88. Here's what I've done so far:
Measured compressor gap, removed shim and now I'm within .023"
Vaccuumed system down for 30 mins, do not have a lot of time on my hands, so only let it sit for 30 mins and with a great set of gauges the vaccuum stayed.
On the recharge, I did the low side with vapor and got that to 37, 38ish psi. Now when I tried the high side with liquid, I could only get the pressure to 155-160. After all of the reading and tutorials, I am under the impression that for the temps it should have climbed to 225-230 psi. I tried splashing the condensor with water to speed it up but after an hour, it was still only 155ish
My air duct output is only 63 degrees. It should be in the upper 30s to lower 40s. I don't think I have a leak, but just can't make her drink any more 134a. Any suggestions?
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
I'm interested to know too. Out of curiosity, I put a digital outdoor thermometer right up against a dash vent of my dad's F-450 (since it's a new truck/AC system), and at idle, the air felt very cold and read about 60-61 degrees with it set on 60. Maybe it can crank out 30-40 degrees, but it seems like I would feel it that much colder and I don't think I do.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: near mm217 off I-70 in MO
Hopefully the orifice tube will fix the problem. When you pull the refrigerant out evacuate to an acceptable micron level and weigh the charge in from the sticker. That will remove any charging guesswork out of the equation. 
I found this on evacuation:
"After a system has been opened for repair, the system should be properly leak tested before charging with
refrigerant. The system should hold a deep vacuum (27 in HG. or more) for at least one minute before charging."
http://www.escoinst.com/Documents/609ADOBE.pdf
Good Luck!
I found this on evacuation:
"After a system has been opened for repair, the system should be properly leak tested before charging with
refrigerant. The system should hold a deep vacuum (27 in HG. or more) for at least one minute before charging."
http://www.escoinst.com/Documents/609ADOBE.pdf
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Caro, MI
That was what I read, but after doing that I found out that's bass ackwards and can be fatal to the compressor. I pray I didn't do any damage. It's still working so I think it's alright. I'll do it right next time for sure. My orifice tube will be in tomorrow so after I get it all done I'll update.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
You know, I was going to mention the liquid into the high side as being wrong but I've seen people (on cars and commercial a/c units) do it so I don't say anything anymore. Sometimes people don't wanna be preached at. I hope your reed valves survived.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: near mm217 off I-70 in MO
Liquid in the high side is not a problem with the compressor off. When the compressor is running the pressure in the system pressure will become higher than tank pressure. When the system pressure is higher than tank pressure the refrigerant will no longer 'feed' from the tank to the system. The tank has a check valve in the shutoff, refrigerant will not feed backwards from the system to the tank.
Do not feed liquid directly into the suction side of the compressor. Liquid being compressed is when bad things happen.
Hope that clears it up a bit.
Cheers
on edit: Automotive A/C compressors are positive displacement compressors. There are no reed valves inside. This link shows a good general guide.
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2900177
Do not feed liquid directly into the suction side of the compressor. Liquid being compressed is when bad things happen.
Hope that clears it up a bit.
Cheers
on edit: Automotive A/C compressors are positive displacement compressors. There are no reed valves inside. This link shows a good general guide.
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2900177
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Liquid in the high side is not a problem with the compressor off. When the compressor is running the pressure in the system pressure will become higher than tank pressure. When the system pressure is higher than tank pressure the refrigerant will no longer 'feed' from the tank to the system. The tank has a check valve in the shutoff, refrigerant will not feed backwards from the system to the tank.
Do not feed liquid directly into the suction side of the compressor. Liquid being compressed is when bad things happen.
Hope that clears it up a bit.
Cheers
on edit: Automotive A/C compressors are positive displacement compressors. There are no reed valves inside. This link shows a good general guide.
Summer A/C Guide, How it Works, and When it Doesn't - Honda-Tech
Do not feed liquid directly into the suction side of the compressor. Liquid being compressed is when bad things happen.
Hope that clears it up a bit.
Cheers
on edit: Automotive A/C compressors are positive displacement compressors. There are no reed valves inside. This link shows a good general guide.
Summer A/C Guide, How it Works, and When it Doesn't - Honda-Tech
There are a couple of different designs when it comes to axial compressors and their valve setups and since I'm not 100% sure, I'll play it safe.
I still wouldn't tell people to use liquid on something as low as four lbs. On or off, high side or low. Most of the folks using these forums are novices particularly when it comes to A/C's. No offense intended to anyone. Why take the chance of having them make a mistake and costing them a compressor?
I'll throw liquid into our systems at work but we are talking 400 ton Trane CentraVac's and they have over 1000lbs of refrigerant. That takes awhile to charge. lol.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: near mm217 off I-70 in MO
I figured the type of compressors in our trucks to be axial in design. When I had issues with my system, I researched my reference books and found this - http://www.polarbearinc.com/Articles...Compressor.pdf
There are a couple of different designs when it comes to axial compressors and their valve setups and since I'm not 100% sure, I'll play it safe.
I still wouldn't tell people to use liquid on something as low as four lbs. On or off, high side or low. Most of the folks using these forums are novices particularly when it comes to A/C's. No offense intended to anyone. Why take the chance of having them make a mistake and costing them a compressor?
I'll throw liquid into our systems at work but we are talking 400 ton Trane CentraVac's and they have over 1000lbs of refrigerant. That takes awhile to charge. lol.
There are a couple of different designs when it comes to axial compressors and their valve setups and since I'm not 100% sure, I'll play it safe.
I still wouldn't tell people to use liquid on something as low as four lbs. On or off, high side or low. Most of the folks using these forums are novices particularly when it comes to A/C's. No offense intended to anyone. Why take the chance of having them make a mistake and costing them a compressor?
I'll throw liquid into our systems at work but we are talking 400 ton Trane CentraVac's and they have over 1000lbs of refrigerant. That takes awhile to charge. lol.
I understand what you are saying, just trying to help a fellow Ex owner out. Thanks for keeping me in check and keeping things interesting!
Cheers!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Caro, MI
Pulled the charge out then took out the orifice tube it had some metal and wood shavings on it. Changed the orifice tube and charged it and now I have 38 degree air coming from the front vent. The rear was cold(didn't put the thermometer in a vent), but today the rear vents are blowing quite warm. I think I remember reading somewhere to check the blend door? I'll read some more but thought I'd update the post.
