Improve A/C while Idling - Smaller Compressor Pulley???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,539
Likes: 2,030
From: North Texas
If you have the means, buy some good gauges and check the idle and high idle pressures. Yellow Jacket or Mastercool I prefer.
Even a cheapo set will give you reasonable readings enough to make an informed decision.
Sounds like you have multiple issues.
Even a cheapo set will give you reasonable readings enough to make an informed decision.
Sounds like you have multiple issues.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 115
From: Laurel, MS
I have a cheap set of gauges and the readings look good.
My a/c was converted to R134a by a competent local mechanic who was known for being the best local a/c guy. It works great except at idle. I believe the only issue I have is that I need the '94 Parallel flow condenser you mentioned earlier.
However I don't have the equipment to crimp a/c hoses. I'm hoping I can find a local shop who does, but I need to know where to get the fittings.
Where did you buy the fittings to crimp on a No 8 hose fitting with a No 6 outlet?
My a/c was converted to R134a by a competent local mechanic who was known for being the best local a/c guy. It works great except at idle. I believe the only issue I have is that I need the '94 Parallel flow condenser you mentioned earlier.
However I don't have the equipment to crimp a/c hoses. I'm hoping I can find a local shop who does, but I need to know where to get the fittings.
Where did you buy the fittings to crimp on a No 8 hose fitting with a No 6 outlet?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 594
From: Greater Austin, Texas
The issue is airflow over your R12 condensor. When you idle up your truck at a red light, it's not that the compressor is turning faster, it's that the fan is pulling more air across the condensor.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 115
From: Laurel, MS
The only thing different is the compressor turning faster.
Based on what was posted above. I believe the real fix is to swap to the '94 parallel flow condenser... If I can just figure out how to get the custom hose made.
Where did you get the hose for your '94 condenser in your '91 truck?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 115
From: Laurel, MS
Thanks @torq'ta 5 8! I have a Napa locally. I'll check with them and see if they can make the hose for me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 594
From: Greater Austin, Texas
That would be true if I still had the mechanical fan, but I have an electric fan... so it pulls the same amount of air whether I'm idling at 750 RPM or if I idle up to 1000 RPM.
The only thing different is the compressor turning faster.
The only thing different is the compressor turning faster.
So you mean you have the electric fan ONLY? It takes a lot of fan to keep these things cool - I bet when you speed up the engine, it provides more juice to the electric fan and speeds it up, too. I tried going to an electric fan only about 25 years ago on my '90 F150 with 302 - it was the biggest one that they made at the time and it still could not keep the truck cool when idling for a long time in traffic in the summer.
Based on what was posted above. I believe the real fix is to swap to the '94 parallel flow condenser. If I can just figure out how to get the custom hose made.
Where did you get the hose for your '94 condenser in your '91 truck?
There is a place here in Austin, Texas, called Austin Rebuilders that made the hose for me.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 115
From: Laurel, MS
Yes, I have an electric fan only. It keeps my 351W cool even while idling for long periods of time in very hot weather.
It is mounted in my 6-cylinder fan shroud (my truck was formerly an I6 truck). It is an American Volt 17in fan.
I went to an electric fan when I did my engine swap back in the fall of 2020... It's been nearly 3 years, so I'm not sure if this is the exact model, but it's definitely close...
It is mounted in my 6-cylinder fan shroud (my truck was formerly an I6 truck). It is an American Volt 17in fan.
I went to an electric fan when I did my engine swap back in the fall of 2020... It's been nearly 3 years, so I'm not sure if this is the exact model, but it's definitely close...
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
There isn't enough airflow. I doubt it is the compressor. I had the same thing going on last year and it was a weak fan clutch. The truck ran normal but AC didn't blow cold at idle.
Suggest ditching the electric fan which is not an upgrade and going back to stock fan clutch shroud etc.
Most electric fans unless they are the really expensive ones or an OEM one do not move anywhere near the amount of air that is needed, and definitely not what their rating says.
Suggest ditching the electric fan which is not an upgrade and going back to stock fan clutch shroud etc.
Most electric fans unless they are the really expensive ones or an OEM one do not move anywhere near the amount of air that is needed, and definitely not what their rating says.
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Dec 12, 2009 05:17 AM