2001 A/C not cooling
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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2001 A/C not cooling
My a/c is not cooling well enough. It has a full charge and the compressor is working correctly. Some of the time it will cool better than others. I know it sounds funny but on hot days it don't cool as good as it does on not so hot days. At night it seems to be able to keep up. I put a temp. gauge on it and at it's best it will blow air about 40 degrees.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
Is your condenser core clean? If it is restricted with bugs and such, it can heat up and the higher temp will cause a rise in pressure. This will reduce the the cooling of the A/C. Also, is your fan clutch pulling enough air (for the same reasons)? I have found that by running the A/C on normal when first entering the vehicle, then switching to max, will get rid of the hot air "stored" inside. My truck, then, gets so cold I have turn it down.
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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My 2001 has never cooled very good. The pressure is good, the condensor core is clean, compressor and fan working normal but it does not put out cold air. At idle it does not put out any conditioned air, never has. It is one of the most iritating things about the Powerstroke I've discovered.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 253
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From: Dallas GA
My dad had that problem on his '03 6.0 dually. The dealer corrected it when they did replaced the clutches in the rear. If it is still under warranty take it back to the dealer. If not, have you put some AC guages on the system to verify that it is at full charge for 134a?
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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Doc,
I've got the gauges and have taken it in it just does not cool the way I think it should. Going down the highway at 70 it does okay but around town it could do better. I'm going to tint the front windows and cut out some of the sun's heat to help things out.
I've got the gauges and have taken it in it just does not cool the way I think it should. Going down the highway at 70 it does okay but around town it could do better. I'm going to tint the front windows and cut out some of the sun's heat to help things out.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 907
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From: West Haven, UT
Let me guess, You are used to the old R-12 systems. One thing I have noticed with all the cars/trucks I have been in with R-134a systems just don't seem to cool quite as well. 40 degree output seems quite reasonable. I think the best I have seen was around 35-37 degrees.
Mike
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 253
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From: Dallas GA
One other question, have you checked the evaporator core to make shure nothing has clogged that up, and does the mixing door close all the way to cold when you turn to the coldest setting. I made that mistake when I installed a radio in a Hyundai. I disconnected the door mechanism to gain extra access and forgot to reset the **** to the coldest setting when I reconneced.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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I am used to the good old R12, I miss those days. I have not checked the mixing door. I'll look at it this weekend, that might be the problem, but I suspect that it is the R-134 coolant is just not quite as capable.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 253
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From: Dallas GA
My '00 250 is running the 134a and it gets pretty cold no matter what. I have worked on a few AC systems that I converted from R12 to 134a and that is about the only time that I have found that they did not cool as well as R12.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,332
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From: Baltimore
Tinting the windows will make a noticable difference. You can also try puttting a manual water valve in one of the heater hoses. Auto parts store usually carry a universal type. It makes for a nice install and is better than putting something together from Home Depot.
