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A/C not cold enough

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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 02:09 PM
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A/C not cold enough

It seems as though my A/C is not blowing cold air. I have added refrigerant and check the levels. I know if one issue and that it only blows at the highest level but still it's barely cool air. Right now I'm basically driving with the windows down. Can someone point me in the right direction on what can possibly be the issue? Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 11:07 PM
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What is the model year of your Explorer? Does it have R-12 or R-134a? If it is older than a 1994 model year, has it been converted for R-134a? If it's an R-134a system and overcharged it could blow warm.... How long does the compressor clutch remain engaged? Do you have a manifold gauge set so you can monitor the high and low sides at the same time while the system is on and engine running?

-Rod
 
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Old Jun 24, 2014 | 09:15 PM
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you have to know the high and low side pressures on the system. You should not arbitrarily add fluid unless you know it has a slow leak.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2014 | 12:26 PM
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2003 Ford Explorer Xlt 4.0L and not leaking but I did add refrigerant to within level.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2014 | 02:43 PM
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If there isn't a leak, the level should not be down anyway. If the clutch was not cycling frequently prior to adding R-134a, the level probably was not low either. If you added R-134a to an already properly charged system, then it will be overcharged which will further degrade system performance. Without monitoring the high and low pressures at the same time it's quite difficult to determine if the system has a sufficient charge.

You might have an issue of a blend door that is broken (pretty common on Explorers and recent Fords in general) blending too much heat from the heater core.

-Rod
 
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Old Jun 27, 2014 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by elliott78
2003 Ford Explorer Xlt 4.0L and not leaking but I did add refrigerant to within level.
Curious as to how you designated " within level"?

What did you add to it? I hope it wasn't an off the shelf concoction.
 
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