A/C problems

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Aug 21, 2006 | 12:10 AM

RubberDuck

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From: Marble Falls, Texas

A/C problems

Yesterday I notice out of nowhere my A/C started blowing hot. I got home and put my gauges on it and the pressures seemed to be where they needed to be. But the A/C clutch acted like it was slipping, or having a hard time engaging. About a month ago, I had to replace the highside ball check valve where you attach the gauge. I sucked the system down and held vac on it like normal. Refilled the oil and R134a. It's worked fine till now. What gives? Too much coolant maybe? Oil? Usually when the ford compressors go south they start clicking or making some kind of racket. It' sounds fine when the clutch is engaged. Maybe too much clutch air gap? Let me know what yall think.

Aug 21, 2006 | 05:58 AM

Cuda_jim

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From: MICHIGAN

How much oil did you replace during the recharge?

What are the pressures? Normal may not be normal if the ambient temperature and humidity is high.

Aug 21, 2006 | 08:51 AM

RubberDuck

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From: Marble Falls, Texas

About an ounce and a half of oil, only because I'm sure there was some left in the system. If I remember correct, 50 on the low side, 240 on the high side at full blow.

Aug 21, 2006 | 12:22 PM

Cuda_jim

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From: MICHIGAN

The pressures are too high. Retard the low side to about 30-35. The high side should come down with it. If not there may be a restriction.

You usually don't loose much oil during the repair you mentioned, but 1 1/2 oz oil could be a bit much. Most of the oil is in the evaporator and filter/drier.

Lets hope that something didn't get into the sytem when you repaired the check ball, I really doubt it though.

Last edited by Cuda_jim; Aug 21, 2006 at 12:27 PM.

Aug 21, 2006 | 10:34 PM

RubberDuck

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From: Marble Falls, Texas

I don't think anything got in there. I'm pretty clean about working on stuff. I can't think if things are messy. I talked with my brother in law who is an ASE master mech. He said it could be a relay, or ground, clutch magnet. Because if a compressor is eating itself it's generally pretty noisy. That's not the case here. And since we have project night every Wed. night we will troubleshoot it then. I'll just have to sweat it out in the mean time. Good thing I'm a nightshifter, cuz it's HOT in TX right now. As far as the #'s being too high. I agree on the low side. I thought it was supposed to be in the 30's. But my BIL said the high side could be as much as 450. I don't know about that, but he knows more about it than me. Plus he deals with it everyday. But thanks for your input Cuda, I really appreciate it. And I will definatly post how it comes out.