Hi, I have a 1986 Ford E 150 4.9L engine. I need to replace the a/c condenser. I can't find much online for a 1986. Anyone know where I can find the procedure. I think I need to take the grill out and get to it from there. Does the radiator need to come out?

 

Usually easiest to pull the radiator and can clean all the trash between em from years of road debris.

 

I replaced the radiator about two months ago. Hate to have to take it out again if it's not necessary.

 

You do need to take the grill out. On my 1988 E150 with a 5.0, i did not need to remove the radiator.

 

You do need to take the grill out but not the radiator. That is if your 86 is like my 88 shown here

 

Thanks Annaleigh, sure looks like it except the dryer is on the right side of the condenser

 

So the condenser is removed through the front where the grill was or lifted up and out?

 

If I remember correctly, it lifts up a little and then out. I know I took the grill out and I believe the cross member or front radiator support it might be called. The part where the hood latch is.

IF you dont have one, here is a great manual to have. it is the Ford service manual
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Ford-F...IAAOSwQXBan4xl

BUT now lets try this from my 1985 manual and see it it matches a bit better!

And like Spaznaut said,, Now is a great time to clean the radiator and space around it and the condenser

 

That looks exactly like mine, thank you. It gives me a better idea of how to get it out. I have done this before, about 8 years ago when I got the van, but I don't recall exactly how I did it!. When I bought it, one of the hoses was disconnected from the compressor so I replaced every component it the system. Even with all new parts, having to use R-134 it doesn't get all that cold in the cab when it's 80 degrees +.

 

That's why I recommend those ford service manuals, they are tailored to our specific year vans.
It was 3 or 4 years ago when I replaced my entire AC system and it never did cool like I thought it should and I went back with R12. A shop that works on R12 systems told me that not all evaporators are alike. That is one of 2 parts that I did not use Ford parts on. The only Ford evaporator I could find at the time was almost $300. The other part was the high pressure line that goes under the battery. The guy at the shop recommended I install a heater control valve to shut off the flow of coolant through the heater core, the 88 does not have one.
I was also told that 55F is a good temp for a open area van with only a single front AC. The evaporator can only cool so much and there is a lot of space in our vans. I have seen 55f out the vents, 70F in the middle seats and 90F in the rear seat. I have seen 45F from the vents early in the morning when the outside temp was around 70f. What I notice though is as the engine compartment heats up, the AC temp rises.

Did you adjust or replace the pressure switch? Did you leave out a couple of ounces of R134 or did you fill it to the R12 specs? I have read to leave out a couple of ounces so it will have more room to expand.

 

I have owned Ford E 150 vans since the early 70's. I do have a Chilton's manual for my 1986 van but it is so old it broke into sections and some of it is missing by now. You mentioned you went back to R-12, how did you do that?
I didnt think it was available anymore. I had a 1985 E 150 in the days you could buy R-12 at Kmart for about $1.75 a can. At 80f + I froze in the cab.
I replaced the evaporator with an after market one. So are you saying the different evaporator can make it cooler with R-134? Shutting off the coolant going through the heater core would help cool the cab interior? I have never seen anywhere near 55F out of the vents. I think the best I have seen is about 64F.
I'm not sure what you mean by the pressure switch. I'm not sure if the 1986 has one but I may have missed something. Where is it located?
I did replace the compressor, dryer, condenser, control valve going to the evaporator, the evaporator. There was an odd looking sensor or thermostat type part just before the evaporator inside the cab. Had a long thin rod, flexible similar to lead solder that controlled the flow of refrigerate, I think.

 

R12 is still available but it is expensive. I hunted around on Ebay till I found what I needed. My 88 holds 56 ounces so I bought 8, 14 ounce cans. That was enough to charge the system and one refill. So far I have not had any leaks. I don't know how picky sellers are but you are supposed to be EPA section 609 certified in order to buy R12, which I am.
I didn't go back to R12. I replaced the entire AC system and charged it with R12 like it came from the factory.
I think though if I were to do it over again, I might go with R134a simply because it is much cheaper and easily available.
That $1.75 is not $25 to $35!

Evaporator,,, A guy at a auto AC shop told me that there is a difference in the brands as well as r12 and R134a condensers and evaporators. The only condenser I could get for my van was a original R12 condenser. I have read about change over kits that include new condensers and evaporators. I have also read about people who successfully convert systems using the original R12 condenser, evaporator, and compressor. You do need to replace the dryer and pressure switch (de-icing switch) at minimum from what I understand.

Below is the de-icing switch o or pressure switch . notice it says R134a on it. It is listed at Rock auto as fitting your van. I know they are adjustable and I have heard that you do not have to replace if you know how to adjust it. If you buy one for R134a then it is pre set to the pressure it needs to be (hopefully).






Also this is a diagram from my 85 manual. Notice in red it stated de-icing switch. So you do have one somewhere. it controls the AC compressor clutch When the [pressure drops too low it opens the circuit and disengages the compressor clutch


The part you are referring to "odd looking sensor or thermostat type part" may be this part below. It is an expansion valve. most newer cars and my 88 van included use what is called a orifice tube instead of expansion valve.

 

I have some limited experience with AC work and more so with my 88 E150 as I replaced the whole system but I think your 86 is just a little different from mine. I don' t mind trying to help you out but we do have a sub forum here just for HVAC problems. For me thew mechanical part was easy. Removing the old parts, installing new parts, and charging the system to factory specs. As long as everything went as planned, I was fine! I did learn a lot though.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum61/

 

Wow, that can get expensive, but if you have no leaks it would be worth it. Looking at the pressure switch, I think it may be located where it plugs in to the compressor. I'll have to check. So basically it is a safety switch that protects the compressor?
I recognize the expansion valve. I did replace that part. It is located near the upper passenger side fender next to the battery. The odd looking part is down along the firewall going into the evaporator compartment.



I just received the condenser from Rock auto. They had two different ones to choose from. One showed the dryer attached to the condenser and one without. I choose the one with the dryer but it came with no dryer. And the steel line that attaches to the compressor line is at the wrong angle. It comes out of the condenser at about a 90 degree angle facing the firewall. Mine is at about a 45 degree angle.

 

I am wondering if your ac is factory or dealer installed. I looked through my 85 manual and it shows a different type of deicing switch from what rock auto shows.
You said your van is a 1986 Ford E 150 4.9L engine.
If I search rock auto for a 1983 deicing switch I come up with a deicing switch called (by rock auto) AC clutch switch/temperature switch. According to my 85 manual this is the switch that should control the compressor clutch.

When I look up a 86 E150 condenser at RA, it only shows one now and the tube appears to come out at a 45. Did you double check the part numbers from what you ordered and what they sent you?

If you look at compressors for an 86 e150 you will see notations that state "A/C installed at time of manufacture". Was your van ever a camper or conversion van? Sometimes vans were ordered without AC if being built by a converter company. I am guessing that a van cold have been at the dealer without AC and the dealer added it to make a sale..