2000 E350 AC pressures
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
2000 E350 AC pressures
Hi everyone, I'm checking to see if I've overcharged my AC on the van. When charging, I had only the AC Pro gauge on the can. According to the gauge, the system is fully charged, but it's hot as heck right now in TN, and with an AC vent thermometer in the center van with the system running at max and driving 70 on the interstate, it can maintain about 50 degrees. That's high humidity and low 90's temp. I borrowed a set of manifold gauges, with the compressor running, low side is 50, high side is 250.
Drove it later that night, it was 75 degrees outside, vent temp was about 41, and in the green arc. I didn't want to hang the guages on it in the dark, so I let that test go.
Are my pressures too high for that outside temp and humidity? I realize it's a big box that may be hard to cool, but I'm worried more about compressor damage.
Thanks!
Ben
Drove it later that night, it was 75 degrees outside, vent temp was about 41, and in the green arc. I didn't want to hang the guages on it in the dark, so I let that test go.
Are my pressures too high for that outside temp and humidity? I realize it's a big box that may be hard to cool, but I'm worried more about compressor damage.
Thanks!
Ben
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
Engine temp is fine, I checked pressures again today and after running inside and revving a bit then checking again, High side is more like 275, Lo side between 40-50. Pressures are pretty steady, no quick jerking changes in pressure, and compressor stays running all the time. No quick cycling off. Vent temp still around 60 deg with the van just sitting. It will get down to 50 once you're moving on the highway.
Having never checked it with manifold gauges, I don't really have a feel for what is right. Most of what I see on youtube is hi pressures in the 200-225 range, which makes me think I've overcharged it.
Thanks for chiming in, any advice is appreciated.
Having never checked it with manifold gauges, I don't really have a feel for what is right. Most of what I see on youtube is hi pressures in the 200-225 range, which makes me think I've overcharged it.
Thanks for chiming in, any advice is appreciated.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, TN
I'm not a mechanic or AC guy, just gained some knowledge tinkering on my own stuff. You can't necessarily go by pressure. A real shop would evacuate the system and fill with exact volume recommend by Ford. You could have it slightly overcharged. I was messing with my 88 Trooper last night as it wasn't cooling as well and I had it overcharged, but I'm messing with R152a, aka canned air or computer duster.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Bedford, Va
Sounds like your temperatures are very good. I'd leave it alone for the remainder of this year. I used to have center vent temps in the high 40's, then had a leak that was fixed and the shop recharged by weight and now I'm getting center vent temps in the low 60's. Asked them about possibility of overcharge and they didn't think it was possible with their new $2500 recovery machine. My original charge was with 12oz cans and gave me a charge only 2oz under a full charge (according to decal underhood) I may redo that next summer.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
Thank you, this is helpful. I was really worried that I'm in an overcharged state, with the hi running 250-275.
What I've learned from this experience:
1. Always always always use manifold guages
2. It's much better for DIY to bring the freon level up from too low, use the guages and vent temp to get there. Otherwise, you'll be heading to the shop to recover what is in there and start over.
Lesson learned.
If anyone else would care to chime in, I'm all hears. Thanks to those who responded.
What I've learned from this experience:
1. Always always always use manifold guages
2. It's much better for DIY to bring the freon level up from too low, use the guages and vent temp to get there. Otherwise, you'll be heading to the shop to recover what is in there and start over.
Lesson learned.
If anyone else would care to chime in, I'm all hears. Thanks to those who responded.
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