A/C Recharge ???
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 335
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas
A/C Recharge ???
Hi All -
It's starting to warm up in the desert, and time to need the AC in my truck and for the first time since it was new, Jan 2003, it seems as if the AC is not blowing ice cold. It is still blowing cold but not like I am used to.
I am going to pop over to the parts store and get a thermometer and see what I am getting out of the vents for temps, anyone know what I should be seeing ??? Current ambient temp is approximately 90 degrees.
My next question is after 10 years of great service does an AC system need a recharge ?? Is there a service interval ? How do I go about testing ??? I am clueless when it comes to AC and would like to know more, and either do what I need to myself or not sound like a fool if I need to have it serviced.
Thanks
Tr0y
It's starting to warm up in the desert, and time to need the AC in my truck and for the first time since it was new, Jan 2003, it seems as if the AC is not blowing ice cold. It is still blowing cold but not like I am used to.
I am going to pop over to the parts store and get a thermometer and see what I am getting out of the vents for temps, anyone know what I should be seeing ??? Current ambient temp is approximately 90 degrees.
My next question is after 10 years of great service does an AC system need a recharge ?? Is there a service interval ? How do I go about testing ??? I am clueless when it comes to AC and would like to know more, and either do what I need to myself or not sound like a fool if I need to have it serviced.
Thanks
Tr0y
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,830
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
X2 when it gets hotter than a three peckerd billy goat , the price is not an issue, as long as AC pump and ext has not been fulled with and dismanteld, it all about checking limit switch? might need a charge and check for leakage=yr with cap.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
A properly running ac will have a temp. diff, of app. 20 to 25 degrees below ambient in the cab coming out of the vents with the doors shut and engine rpm's at 1200 or higher. Over the years a system could need a tune up. The hoses and seals are rubber and do breath to an extent. A good ac tech can charge by hi/low pressures based on ambient temp. and humidity. They have charts for this purpose. If vacuming and charging by weight I would install a new orifice tube. They are cheap. Usually under ten bucks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,097
Likes: 23
From: Kissimmee,Fla
Being that the vehicle is over 10 years old, most likely the reciever drier is at it's end. Also the system has most likely got fine metal particles clogging up the orifice tube and making the head temps higher than they should be. Leaks are not uncommon either being it's a diesel and subjected to alot of vibration. What my recommendation is, find a good A/C tech that wants to do some side work and put some gauges on it ,he'll know right away. Too bad your out west I do this all the time and have the equipment here at the house.I charge 200.00 to flush and change out the parts (parts and freon are not included ) It takes about 4 hours to do it right and it's like winter time when I'm done
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
You don't need any advanced skills to do some basic testing and even recharging if there is nothing wrong with the system. You will need a set of manifold gauges. You can get a basic set for $50 or a little more and they should work fine for limited personal use. You can use a chart like the one below to tell you what you're dealing with. If both pressures are low after running for a few minutes on full cold and recirc, you will usually just need to recharge the system. If either or both of the pressures are high, then there is some other problem and you will need to do more research and figure out if it's something you can handle. Tons of good info published on this subject. It's not terribly complicated, but it may need some expensive equipment depending on what the problem is. I think it's good to have the manifold gauges so you can do some recharges and at least some basic diagnosis on all of your cars so you don't get bent over should you have to take it to the AC repair shop.
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Tuned
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Ok so I've read everything you all have said and it helps a bit. Here's my issue. 06 F250, haven't used my a/c in about 3 years. Went to use it today, realized I was in a mobile sweat box. Checked the clutch and it wasn't engaging. Did the research and found that if its below a certain psi, it will not engage at all until there is a safe amount in the system. So i picked up a recharge kit and it was damn near at zero. Got it charged on the low side to about 40 psi and the clutch engages but for about 1-2 seconds and shuts off. It repeats but never stays engaged to produce cold air. Is there something I'm missing here? Does it need to run for a bit to cycle the freon throughout the system?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,097
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From: Kissimmee,Fla
The systems empty, needs to be vacuumed down and checked for vacuum loss. Do you see any oil near any connections? If so that's your leak. The compressor seal is most likely the culprit thou
Certified Thread Hijacker
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Ok so I've read everything you all have said and it helps a bit. Here's my issue. 06 F250, haven't used my a/c in about 3 years. Went to use it today, realized I was in a mobile sweat box. Checked the clutch and it wasn't engaging. Did the research and found that if its below a certain psi, it will not engage at all until there is a safe amount in the system. So i picked up a recharge kit and it was damn near at zero. Got it charged on the low side to about 40 psi and the clutch engages but for about 1-2 seconds and shuts off. It repeats but never stays engaged to produce cold air. Is there something I'm missing here? Does it need to run for a bit to cycle the freon throughout the system?
It would have been good to check the office tube and pull a vacuum for 30 minutes to check integrity.
Josh
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So would it be best to have someone do it? I have spot where it's damn near free
Certified Thread Hijacker
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#1 would have been to check the orfice screen and condition of the hoses, clutch air gap etc.
#2 pull a vacuum for 30 minutes to 1 hour
#3 initial charge of freon
Josh
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Sort of... There is a Bit of trouble shooting involved, especially a system that hasn't been used a so long.
#1 would have been to check the orfice screen and condition of the hoses, clutch air gap etc.
#2 pull a vacuum for 30 minutes to 1 hour
#3 initial charge of freon
Josh
#1 would have been to check the orfice screen and condition of the hoses, clutch air gap etc.
#2 pull a vacuum for 30 minutes to 1 hour
#3 initial charge of freon
Josh
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