AC Performance
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 303
Likes: 66
AC Performance
97 crew cab F350. Does anyone have any advice on how to increase or “fix” my AC performance? My air blows cold and I have all 4 speeds with my blower, but it just isn’t enough.
Any ideas on potential issues for me to diagnose. As far as I’ve read, theses trucks did not come with cabin filters. Will the blower motors slow down and become less efficient with age? Is there a similar sized blower motor from a newer vehicle I can swap in? Is it condenser related?
thanks for the help!
Any ideas on potential issues for me to diagnose. As far as I’ve read, theses trucks did not come with cabin filters. Will the blower motors slow down and become less efficient with age? Is there a similar sized blower motor from a newer vehicle I can swap in? Is it condenser related?
thanks for the help!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,766
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I had a ‘94 Bronco and it would freeze me out of the truck. Have you or someone else put gauges on it to see what is going on? Is it low on refrigerant or is the compressor worn?
EDIT: Clarifying same R-134a system and similar interior size.
EDIT: Clarifying same R-134a system and similar interior size.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
If your compressor clutch is turning on and off every 3-4 seconds it's usually a sign that you are low on refrigerant. Or get educated on how to read the gauges and buy a cheap set at Harbor freight for testing. The a/c is a sealed system and low refrigerant means you probably have a very small leak along with a failed part. Don't work on the system until you know what you are doing as it can be dangerous and expensive.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
If you've got good cold air coming out of the vents, and you're talking about just the A/C not keeping the interior of the truck cool, keep in mind that lots of these trucks, especially those that aren't the XLT package, with a cloth headliner, are barely insulated at all. So when it's hot as s*&t out, you've got the cold air of the A/C trying to overwhelm basically what amounts to sitting in a metal box. Getting some insulation inside the doors, on the cab ceiling, and the back panel of the cab and floors is going to help a bunch, and if it's legal where you are, and it's not already done, getting some tint on the windows will help as well. Your 97 is *probably* better insulated than my 87 Custom, especially if it's an XLT trim, but it's something I'd look into.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
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I topped the system off to the correct level a couple weeks ago. It’s still holding.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 303
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If you've got good cold air coming out of the vents, and you're talking about just the A/C not keeping the interior of the truck cool, keep in mind that lots of these trucks, especially those that aren't the XLT package, with a cloth headliner, are barely insulated at all. So when it's hot as s*&t out, you've got the cold air of the A/C trying to overwhelm basically what amounts to sitting in a metal box. Getting some insulation inside the doors, on the cab ceiling, and the back panel of the cab and floors is going to help a bunch, and if it's legal where you are, and it's not already done, getting some tint on the windows will help as well. Your 97 is *probably* better insulated than my 87 Custom, especially if it's an XLT trim, but it's something I'd look into.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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You “topped it off “? The only reason to top off the a/c is because it leaked out so that will need to be repaired. Do you use a set of gauges to look at both sides: high and low? They were both good for the ambient temperature?
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eckart
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
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Jun 12, 2021 05:50 AM