Just converted my 91 Ranger 2.3 to r134a. Along with that, I bought a brand new compressor, accumulator and orfice tube (the auto adjusting one).

Anyways, it does not seem to blow very cold at all. It does blow colder than the outside, so I know that the system is working properly. I havent had a chance to test the actual temp of the air coming out, but what should it be?

Well, to the question, can I make it colder? Yesterday, after running it for a while, I opened the hood just to check everything, and noticed that all of the hoses and the accumulator were quite hot. Now being that the accu. is so close to the header, and the hoses too, I was wondering if I wrapped the lines and accu. with some foil insulation, would that make it colder? Keep in mind, I live in Oklahoma, and the temp can easily reach 100. So anything I can do?

 

Your condeser could be clogged
or Cooling fan slipping too much?
Fan shroud missing?
overcharged?
cycling switch not adjusted low enough?
system wasn't evacuated properly?
too much oil?
Pressures?
thats just a start.

 

Condensor isn't clogged (flushed it myself), doesn't seem to ever overheat (so the fan is working properly), fan shroud is intact, has the correct amount of oil (approx. 8 oz.). I didn't charge. I thought if anything, the guy that charged it didn't put enough in. For R-12, it was supposed to be 1.75 lbs, so he should have charged it to what... 80-90%?

 

I believe the problems with the Ranger's conversion is the original condenser is too small to cool properly with R-134.

Go to http://www.ackits.com and search their forum, or ask them. I think that's where I read about it.

 

Many of the conversion kits Ford sold some years ago had new condenser, fan shroud, accumlator,etc. Im concerned about the auto adjusting orifice too. Maybe its not properly regulating. If it were mine, I would use an R134 accumulator with the proper R134 switch, install a Ford blue or red orifice tube, evacuate real good and charge to 1.5 lbs and watch the system pressures. You should drop to around 22 PSI on low side before it cycles off and cycle back on at around 45. If you cycle too rapidly you can try adding 1/4 pound and recheck performance. If your pressure never drops lower than 40-45 on low side it wont ever get cool or if high side hovers over 300. If your high side is too high it wont allow low side to drop. That would be an airflow or restriction issue. Ive seen very few conversions that worked as well as the original R12 system if the components arent completely compatible. But most at least give a decent cool if the components are clean and fully functional.

 

Thanks Homer... got 'er blowing around 35-40* I think I was just expecting way too much, hehe.