It was hot today and I had some trime on my hands, so I tried some different stuff with my E-350 air conditioning.

The temp on the overhead console said 90°. I started the van and let it idle in the driveway with the front a/c on recirc, high fan and the rear air on high fan. About 1/2 hr later I shot the a/c grills with my non-contact thermometer -- both the front and rear outcoming air was 77°.

I put a large fan under the motor and opened the hood. Then continued to moniter the temp of the outcoming air with the front on recirc, high fan and the rear on high fan. It dropped to about 73°.

I turned OFF the rear fan and left the front on recirc, high. The temp of the exiting air came down to 68°.

I left the fan on high and put the a/c on normal. The temp increased several degrees.

Returned the front to recirc and put the fan on low. After a while the outcoming air was at 57°. The overhead console still showed 90 outside.

With the front still on recirc (no rear), I ran the fan up two notches. The outcoming air dropped to 55, then climbed back up to about 60.

Finally I put the front on recirc high fan and turned the rear back on high. She climbed back up to the high 70's in both places.

How did I do my temperature readings?
I pointed the infra-red thermometer into the grill and moved it up and down, back and forth until I got a consistent low reading.

 

I've been thinking about putting an electric fan in front of my radiator to push some air, would increase cooling the evaporator, but definately adding vents to fenders and hood.

 

I got fed up with the "stealership" arrogance mindset in the 1990's and checked into my states LEMON LAW requirements. You may or may not be able to file a LL complaint so check your specific state guidelines. If they refuse to fix your vehicle while it is under warranty and try to outwait you on the factory warranty they are in default according to my asst. DA nephew with the local county prosecutors office. Get a consumer rights attorney and nail them to the wall. I've been through the joke called arbitration numerous times and found the only thing that gets these big business crooks attention is a supoena, believe me!

 

The only thing that gets big business attention is getting in their wallet, when it costs them money, they get involved. Their poor running of the company is running it in the ground, keeping it family rather than putting someone with business sence at the wheel.