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need help charging A/C

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Old Jun 28, 2005 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
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red5
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need help charging A/C

R-134 Refrigerant gets connected to the low-pressure port of the A/C system.... help the rookie/amateur/etc find this! I want to learn how to do this job myself.

Any pointers greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!

-red5

2000 F-150
4.6 L V8
4 WD
166,000 miles
K&N air filter
 
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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 01:24 PM
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lancekilgore
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Hello just added r134 to my Ford F150 2000 last week end the low side is on the silver canister (passenger side rear of motor).

You need to check with a guage to ensure you don't over charge. I saw some R134 at Advance the other day that actually had it's own guage built in.

Lance
 
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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 07:09 PM
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What should the low pressure and high pressure sides read when fully charged?
 
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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 07:17 PM
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it should be between 25 and 45 psi and make sure it is running while you fill it! keep it on max a/c with blower on high.
 
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Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:50 AM
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gfreek
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Hey ford390gashog, that 25 to 45 psi is thats on the suction side right?? Is that legit for all vehicles or just the Ford?? Cause I have a car, with the same question. I know the other way is to suck out freon, pull a vacuum, and fill to spec. Why did they do away with the site glass??
 
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Old Jun 30, 2005 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
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lancekilgore
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For r134 if you get the color coded guages that come automaticly when bought new fill till you get in the proper color. Lets keep it simple. If you overfill it it will give you engine and power problems. Had it happen to me once. Only fill in the low side. That is also why the new guages will only fit the low side.

Lance
 
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Old Jul 2, 2005 | 03:09 PM
  #7  
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25-45 on the low side which is connected at the accumulator/dryer on the firewall, just under the suction line. If it is really hot in the cab, the pressure may be higher. The low side pressure varies according to how hot that the air being drawn thru the evaporator is.
On MAX A/C at about 2000rpm, you should get about 40-45 degree air out of the vents.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2005 | 06:56 PM
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ALL GOOD INFO GUYS, it helped me out!

thanks!!

-red5
 
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Old Aug 6, 2005 | 07:53 PM
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Actually, the air vents, on Max A/C, fan on high, rpm's @2,000, should only be putting-out air that is about 20 to 30 degrees lower than the air outside the vehicle. As a matter of fact, on R134a systems, I have never seen it blow air cooler than 15 to 20 degrees below the outside air temp. The air could be cooler, if you were driving at speed. After all, as the refridgerant is flowing through the system, the outside air will flow through, thus cooling the refridgerant more than when the vehicle is sitting still. I tell you, I sure do miss the old R12 days. Nothing cools quite like R12. I had a 1990 Thunderbird that the A/C blew so cold on the hiway that I couldn't even hardely keep it on. Boy do I miss that car!
 
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Old Aug 6, 2005 | 08:39 PM
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Really? My 99 F150 blows at 44-46deg F at idle and 40-42 at 2000rpm on the highway. I know because after six years, it started blowing a bit warmer. I checked it with a thermometer (calibrated because all of our stuff at work is caligbrated per NIST schedules) and it was about 60 on a 97 deg Texas day. I recharged the system and now it blows 40-42 again. By the time I got it recharged and measured, it was over 100 outside. When properly serviced they should blow 40-45. I recharged a friend's 96 chebby (also a 134a system)a few years ago (also in Texas summer) it was pushing 38!
 
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