AC
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 114
How would I tell if it’s ruined a part or not? Is it just a gamble until it goes out? Or would the orfice tube tell me that as well as the condition of compressor? If the orfice tube is telling me the compressor is in good shape, can I flush the system pull the compressor flush that again, change the orfice tube and fill it with the new oil for 134a and then fill the system with 134a with cans for now, and dye? And then once it leaks out again I can buy a UV light to see the leak now that it wouldn’t have been hosed away, fix that leak and properly charge it. And then just use the system as is to just get me through this summer? And in the winter when I don’t need the AC I can work on it? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and replace the compressor, accumulator, and o rings? Probably in the next month or 2 it’s gonna reach 90-115 degree weather, so if I can quick fix this for now and use it like that for a few months and properly fix it when the weather cools down again I would prefer that.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
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From: Kentucky
My Ford service manual states otherwise for a 1993 F-Series truck versus a 1994 F-Series truck. Left is cut from the 1993 manual. The right is from the 1994 manual. Perhaps the documentation available for a dealership is different than the Ford manuals available for the general public?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,549
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From: North Texas
The issue is the chemical reaction between water and freon or oil (I don't remember which, too many years since tech school) makes sulfuric acid, which will eat the metal parts from the inside out. The other issue is water/moisture takes volume in the system, as well as the moisture will travel through the system, and it will not react to the pressure changes like refrigerant will, causing a decrease in system performance.
This is why I use PAO 68 oil. Will not turn acidic and not hydroscopic.
Only reason I was curious of what FOT was in your truck is to see the compressor condition and how well (or poorly) it was charged with 134A previously.
100% agree with swapping all components and going fresh.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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So I can’t temporarily run it as is after flushing it? I would just flush it and fix the leak and then run it as is. And by the time winter comes again I can completely replace every single part on the AC system. Winter here never gets below 55 in the daytime so I’m able to work on it in winter. And I’m still gonna take the orfice tube out, I just need to go to harbor freight, and get the tool haven’t had time to drive there. I want to replace every component anyway in the system, so whatever it has a chance to ruin, as long as its not unobtainium im fine with it. I'm very OCD with this truck so I can guarantee im not gonna leave the AC system half done for long.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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If it is something I shouldn't do no matter what I won't do it. Im just tying to figure out how I can have AC this summer. It'll be a bit till I can buy the compressor and component kit by then it'll be 100+ outside.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,522
Likes: 2,654
From: Near Salt Lake City
My Ford service manual states otherwise for a 1993 F-Series truck versus a 1994 F-Series truck. Left is cut from the 1993 manual. The right is from the 1994 manual. Perhaps the documentation available for a dealership is different than the Ford manuals available for the general public?
Otherwise, when we retrofitted at the dealer, they would have sent a different color orifice with the rest of the parts
My point was and is, not to play with the orifice size / color, and to use the one Ford says to use
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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I’ll keep the one that’s in there because it’s probably been converted to 134a because it had that fitting on the low side. It just hasn’t been done right. So I’ll probably flush, flush again with compressor out. Fill with the 134a oil, and fill with 134a to get through summer. And then fix the leak. Or keep topping it off if it’s not that bad and expensive fix. Once winter hits, I’ll change out the entire system.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: King and Queen Virginia
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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Was it in backwards as well? The side im holding with pliers was facing up. Shouldn't the white part have been facing up? By the looks of it can I get away with temporarily running the system as is by just flushing and repairing the leak? Why is it all collected in one spot as well? Shouldn't it be spreader through the screen?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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I was looking at the flush tool, where do I connect it to get it to flush the entire system? I was thinking it’s a waste to pull the compressor, if I’m just going to replace it end of summer. I can just fill it with the new oil after the systems flushed. I’ll just order the o ring kit, once I figure out everything I need to flush and fill the system, replace the o rings and pray it’s not a condenser, compressor, or evaporator leaking.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,522
Likes: 2,654
From: Near Salt Lake City
Fords way is
You flush each heat exchanger separately and you do not flush the hoses, you replace all the rubber hoses if it needs flushed.
You should be replacing that compressor with the metal and piston ring material it has been sending thru
Ford PAG oil is what you use for your system and R134a
The orifice was in there correctly
You flush each heat exchanger separately and you do not flush the hoses, you replace all the rubber hoses if it needs flushed.
You should be replacing that compressor with the metal and piston ring material it has been sending thru
Ford PAG oil is what you use for your system and R134a
The orifice was in there correctly
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,172
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Will this system do an ok job till October or November? I don't need it crazy 50,40 degrees, just like 60,65 to do something in the summer. Or is it shot? If its shot ill fill it with refrigerant without flushing, ill just get a new office tube. and run it till it stops working. I will replace lines, when I do the compressor, evaporator, condenser, dryer. Any other parts that I need to keep in mind? I know its not the right way to do that but I can't get an entire AC system right now, and a wing window isn't gonna do anything at all when its 100 out.