Need AC help from the gurus
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
OK, I installed a new condenser. Now, last night. Ambient temp was 82. Pressures look better at 38 low and a little less than 225 high. Filled with 2.5 pounds of 134a. Temp still doesn't get below mid 50's and that's when I'm rolling at 65mph. Could the Tru-cool trans cooler being in front of it be causing problems?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,111
Likes: 4,716
From: Henderson, NV
Your condenser is not the first heat exchanger out in front of everything? Did you pull the system down to 100 microns for at least a half hour before refilling?
FWIW, I just replaced my entire AC system (condenser, evaporator, compressor, hoses etc etc) and it doesn't get much better than 50°F in similar ambients either. My 6.0 trans cooler is also BEHIND the condenser.
EDIT: I just realized there are 2 guys on this thread with slightly different issues. The comment above is directed at dmueller71.
FWIW, I just replaced my entire AC system (condenser, evaporator, compressor, hoses etc etc) and it doesn't get much better than 50°F in similar ambients either. My 6.0 trans cooler is also BEHIND the condenser.
EDIT: I just realized there are 2 guys on this thread with slightly different issues. The comment above is directed at dmueller71.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
the 200 on high was low it was more like 225 or so and the 45 would move around when i increased RPM.. I might need a bit of gas as well.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
Your condenser is not the first heat exchanger out in front of everything? Did you pull the system down to 100 microns for at least a half hour before refilling?
FWIW, I just replaced my entire AC system (condenser, evaporator, compressor, hoses etc etc) and it doesn't get much better than 50°F in similar ambients either. My 6.0 trans cooler is also BEHIND the condenser.
EDIT: I just realized there are 2 guys on this thread with slightly different issues. The comment above is directed at dmueller71.
FWIW, I just replaced my entire AC system (condenser, evaporator, compressor, hoses etc etc) and it doesn't get much better than 50°F in similar ambients either. My 6.0 trans cooler is also BEHIND the condenser.
EDIT: I just realized there are 2 guys on this thread with slightly different issues. The comment above is directed at dmueller71.
That being said, I'M PISSED!!! Just now. 88 degrees. 90 heat index. rolling 75mph, it wouldn't blow any colder than 69 degrees. Mostly hung around 71. WTF am I missing? The only thing that hasn't been replaced I'd the lines and the evap. The evap looks fine, and everything has been flushed. I ran the vacuum pump for 45 minutes. This is frustrating the hell out of me. Will recheck pressures when I get home
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
sorry not trying to hijacked post.
did you check or remove and clean or replace the filter thingy on high pressure line (the thing to right of hand in picture i posted above) When i was running the system the temp from left side to right side was different. the left side or past the restrictor/ filter as colder which i hear is normal.
It might be you are not getting enough refrigerant going through filter to evap coil to cool the air properly which is the same as not enough BTU to handle the load.
peace out brother.
did you check or remove and clean or replace the filter thingy on high pressure line (the thing to right of hand in picture i posted above) When i was running the system the temp from left side to right side was different. the left side or past the restrictor/ filter as colder which i hear is normal.
It might be you are not getting enough refrigerant going through filter to evap coil to cool the air properly which is the same as not enough BTU to handle the load.
peace out brother.
Yeah, apparently my post has been hijacked. LOL. All good. Yes, my trans cooler is in front of the condenser. Has been for 15 years. Having just changed the condenser, Not sure that I even have room in between it and the radiator for the trans cooler.
That being said, I'M PISSED!!! Just now. 88 degrees. 90 heat index. rolling 75mph, it wouldn't blow any colder than 69 degrees. Mostly hung around 71. WTF am I missing? The only thing that hasn't been replaced I'd the lines and the evap. The evap looks fine, and everything has been flushed. I ran the vacuum pump for 45 minutes. This is frustrating the hell out of me. Will recheck pressures when I get home
That being said, I'M PISSED!!! Just now. 88 degrees. 90 heat index. rolling 75mph, it wouldn't blow any colder than 69 degrees. Mostly hung around 71. WTF am I missing? The only thing that hasn't been replaced I'd the lines and the evap. The evap looks fine, and everything has been flushed. I ran the vacuum pump for 45 minutes. This is frustrating the hell out of me. Will recheck pressures when I get home
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
So, I got home and checked pressures. 48 and 275. I bled off some pressure and got it down to 38 and 250. Just went for an hour ride. Ambient dropped to 82, and I was getting 53 degrees at the duct. got home again and checked pressures. I'm back up to 45 and 250.
And I misspoke on my last reply. In hindsight, the last time I had trans service done, about 12 years ago, the trans shop acted like they did me a favor by installing a Trucool. At the time, I told them that I already had one installed and they argued that I didn't. So apparently, the trans cooler that I installed is in between the condenser and the radiator. The one th trans shop added is in front of the condenser. So apparently, I've been running 2 Trucools and the factory cooler for a long time. Both overkill, and more potential for leaks. So I may pull one in the near future. Also, had a pretty constant top side oil leak for a while, so maybe that has taken a negative impact on the fa clutch.
And yes, I did replace the filter thingy / orifice tube every time I've opened up the system. Still not right, and still frustrated
And I misspoke on my last reply. In hindsight, the last time I had trans service done, about 12 years ago, the trans shop acted like they did me a favor by installing a Trucool. At the time, I told them that I already had one installed and they argued that I didn't. So apparently, the trans cooler that I installed is in between the condenser and the radiator. The one th trans shop added is in front of the condenser. So apparently, I've been running 2 Trucools and the factory cooler for a long time. Both overkill, and more potential for leaks. So I may pull one in the near future. Also, had a pretty constant top side oil leak for a while, so maybe that has taken a negative impact on the fa clutch.
And yes, I did replace the filter thingy / orifice tube every time I've opened up the system. Still not right, and still frustrated
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,111
Likes: 4,716
From: Henderson, NV
dmueller71, I should have asked this in the beginning but are you running the AC in Max AC mode? There is a mod to cut coolant flow to the heater core when in Max AC mode by plumbing in a Ford Ranger heater cutoff valve. This may help your situation.
Also when your hi-side pressure was at 275psi, was the compressor clutch disengaged?
I have come to the conclusion that the factory AC system needs serious help in order for it to cool our cabs at the height of summer. Heck, the evap coil is sitting in a plastic box in the engine bay right next to the downpipe. I had to add auxiliary electric fans in front of the condenser even after replacing the entire system.
Also when your hi-side pressure was at 275psi, was the compressor clutch disengaged?
I have come to the conclusion that the factory AC system needs serious help in order for it to cool our cabs at the height of summer. Heck, the evap coil is sitting in a plastic box in the engine bay right next to the downpipe. I had to add auxiliary electric fans in front of the condenser even after replacing the entire system.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 7
From: Mazon, IL
Yes, on Max AC. Not sure if it's different in the morning because of cooler Temps or cooler engine compartment. Prob the cooler temps, because the truck was cool when I left work today. (was inside the shop). The blend door it definitely functioning properly. If I could get some consistency with everything, I would consider blocking flow to the heater core
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The temperature you are seeing may be the best you are going to see. Some trucks get much lower, even into the low 40's, but mine never could.
I ended up settling on low 50's. The Ranger/Excursion vacuum shutoff valve helps and the 99.9% UV resistant clear tint I put on the windshield helps too.
It is a 20 year old big *** truck after all and I can live with mediocre AC if the towing power is great and the truck does not have a DEF tank.
I ended up settling on low 50's. The Ranger/Excursion vacuum shutoff valve helps and the 99.9% UV resistant clear tint I put on the windshield helps too.
It is a 20 year old big *** truck after all and I can live with mediocre AC if the towing power is great and the truck does not have a DEF tank.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
There is a shop in Greenville SC where an old man has been doing tint since tint was invented. I called him up and told him what was going on and asked if he knew of anything that could help. He told me about a tint that he would have to special order, but would work well. It does... It was pricey at $100 for just the windshield, but he did an amazing job and even the dash only gets slightly warm to the touch in direct sunlight.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,111
Likes: 4,716
From: Henderson, NV
Originally Posted by Sous
There is a shop in Greenville SC where an old man has been doing tint since tint was invented. I called him up and told him what was going on and asked if he knew of anything that could help. He told me about a tint that he would have to special order, but would work well. It does... It was pricey at $100 for just the windshield, but he did an amazing job and even the dash only gets slightly warm to the touch in direct sunlight.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
He would probably remember as I had to pull the truck into his shop because the clutch was garbage at the time.
Let me know.