It gets really hot here in South Texas so I want all the cooling I can get. I have a 92 F-150 4.9 with a Motorcraft condensor that works only fair. Is there a better or larger condensor available and will this solve my problem? My wifes
c---y will freeze you out in july. That's what I want my Ford to do but don't know how. Sure would appreciate some advice.

 

Is this still R12 or is it the R134a?

 

How did you determine the condenser is your problem? I'm thinking you might have other things that need checking; low charge, gummed-up orifice tube, dirty evap coil, system full of debris, faulty pressure switches, blend door positioning to name some.

Steve

 

Thanks for the reply. I can only say if I had all the answers I would not be asking for help. A couple of years ago it got a new compressor, condensor (Motorcraft), orfice tube, dryer, a good flushing and recharged with R-12. Presures were right but would only get down in the low 50's on a hot day. I was told it needed more air across the condensor so I got a new HD fan clutch (moves lots of air) and did all I could to make sure as much air as possible went past the condensor. The air motors that operate the doors are working and I played with adjusting the length of travel on the push pull cable.
From comments read in here I assumed it was the condensor, I really don't know other than it is small and my wifes c---y is big and will freeze you out.
I like my ac in this heat and I sure would appreciate some help.

 

You can try a larger condenser, but the point I was making was there are other things that can cause high output temps. If you're comfortable knowing the rest of the system is A-OK, then go for it. BTW, was the output temp OK before you had the work done a couple of years ago, or was the A/C broke when you got the truck? I assume the tech replaced the condenser with the same size as original.............

Steve

 

No the ac never did work right. When I bought it used I told them I would take the truck (deal) if they fixed the ac. They did (Chrysler used car lot) try and finally sent it to the Ford dealer twice. I don't know all that Ford did but I saw a bill from one trip for $750.00 to replace the compressor. It still was not right and after about 10 years the compressor locked up.
About then a friends son ( a auto tech) was recovering from cancer and made the comment he wished he could find some little jobs to do at home where the customer was not in a hurry so he could work on it on days when he felt good enough. Bingo! I left him my truck for about 5 or 6 weeks to do the ac, tu and a few other little things. The ac worked ok but still not great. It is gone again and I would like to get it right this time. I don't know much about ac so I am asking for advice on how.

 

I am not comfortable with any of it. There is a problem with something and I don't know what. I am just trying to give as much info as possible for you guys that do know. Sorry I gave that impression.

 

you could very possibly have air in the system or its over/undercharged
did he pull a vaccum on it?
the flush solvent may have not been fully removed prior to charging

 

Unfortunately, automotive A/C repair takes specialized tools and equipment; I'm not sure any advice in this forum is going to be much help as far as what you can check yourself. The best way to get it right is to take it to a shop that specializes in A/C repair, but then you're probably looking at major $$$. Maybe you can find someone else to look at it in his spare time, but if he's any good he probably wouldn't be freelancing; JMO...........

Steve

 

I do all my own A/C work on my '84 F-150. Did your friend replace your receiver/dryer while he was working on it? If it is clogged or contaminated with moisture, it can cause your evaporator temp to rise.

My '84's A/C will freeze you on a good hot 90+ day.

 

Good points. I don't know but these will be things I will be watching for next time.
Thanks

 

As last resort I will spend the $$$ > I know several moonlighters that claim to be able to fix it but I don't know enough to know which ones really do know how to do it right. I'm learning what questions to ask and what I should hear. All this info is really appreciated.

 

Can't remember if I mentioned that part but yes it was replaced with a new one. I,m beginning to think the problem has been in the cleaning, vaciuming and recharging rather than the parts and pieces used.
What about converting to r-134, can I get the great cooling I want using parts to a r-12 system?

 

Just a casual guess, but I think it was probably like this;
When they had it fixed they spent the minimum, as the sale was made.
They would have replaced the compressor, not the receiver dryer which may or may not have been water contaminated. They probably left it a little low, as Freon was already expensive. Works, but not well. Maybe some moister to causes freeze-ups, that will make the system fail on really hot days. The moister content finally ruined the dryer, causing water droplets to hit the compressor, which breaks them.
Or it was undercharged and the compressor had to cycle too many times, thus overloading it.
The young man who 'fixed it' probably did not have a vacuum pump at home. So he may have replaced the compressor, and possibly the receiver dryer, but couldn't pump it dry. So the system would be weak. Or if he pumped it dry, one of his connections leaked, or it wasn't full in the first place. Freon by then being very expensive.
Consider having it changed to 134, not as efficient but much cheaper, and since you have to fix it anyway, no sense leaving the too expensive stuff in it.
There is a R12 replacment that works better than 134 but I can't think of the designation off the top of my head. Someone else will, I'm sure.

On the personal troubleshooting, You might look at the connections at the condenser, and the pump and see if you see traces of oil residue. If it was leaking, it will have left marks, usually seen as an extra dirty place around a hose fitting or a Schroeder valve. If you do see that, you have a fair chance it's just needs tightening and purging, then a recharge.
All factory a/c systems will pull it down to low 40’s max setting, 76 degree ambient temperatures, at the vent closest to the evaporator on maximum.
Most will do much better, 34-6 degrees unless defective.
So adding a larger condenser shouldn’t be needed, or helpful.
Well, good luck
Chris

 

Good info, Thanks