AC problems
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
At least unless something else happens, but the problem won't be air gap for a good-while.
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Texas Gulf Coast
I checked mine and it has an odd behavior. At idle, A/C on, the clutch engages and disengages every 3 seconds. The gap is about right, but I went ahead and removed the only shim. It did the same thing, but the clutch plate was too close and rubbing slightly even when disengaged, so I put the shim back on. The gap is about .030".
Any ideas what would make the clutch engage/disengage constantly like that?
Any ideas what would make the clutch engage/disengage constantly like that?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Find someone with guages and get the pressures checked first.
If the pressures are in the ballpark, verify the high and low switches are operating at about the right pressures.
Remember that you can get short-cycling with both too little AND too much refrigerant.
A tip:
There are a LOT of people with old R-12 gauges. Sometimes you'll see them at garage sales. Since pressures are pressures, the gauges are still serviceable. The problem is with the hose fittings, which only fit the old Schrader valve size.
There are adapters available! However, if you get some adapters and decide to use an old manifold and gauges, be sure to flush out any old refrigeration oil residue, as the old oil is NOT compatible with R-134a refrigerant, and causes corrosive reactions in the system.
Pop
If the pressures are in the ballpark, verify the high and low switches are operating at about the right pressures.
Remember that you can get short-cycling with both too little AND too much refrigerant.
A tip:
There are a LOT of people with old R-12 gauges. Sometimes you'll see them at garage sales. Since pressures are pressures, the gauges are still serviceable. The problem is with the hose fittings, which only fit the old Schrader valve size.
There are adapters available! However, if you get some adapters and decide to use an old manifold and gauges, be sure to flush out any old refrigeration oil residue, as the old oil is NOT compatible with R-134a refrigerant, and causes corrosive reactions in the system.
Pop
New User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have a 3 month old 2011 F350. My a/c cycles on/off every 15-20 seconds. This occurs even if I have the settings on max cold, 60 degrees. The dealership has claimed to have checked everything, and further claims that this behavior is normal. Besides the annoying hiss that occurs when the freon is being repressurized through the expansion valve, I don't think that the ac cools as well as it should.
Is the compressoe supposed to cycle like this?
Is the compressoe supposed to cycle like this?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,081
From: St Louis
Is the compressoe supposed to cycle like this?
New User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
A/C works again!! Too bad it's October.
So glad I found this...just wish I had looked sooner. I went without A/C all summer and fixed this in about ten minutes las week. Of course now I really won't need it. Can't wait until Spring 2012!
Thank you Springer Pop!
Thank you Springer Pop!
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
My A/C only seems to get cool when I'm driving at higher speeds or if I've had the truck running for a decent amount of time. I had the system recharged a few months ago because the A/C didn't work at all (I bought the truck used). Anyhow, is this shim scenario a possible culprit?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
Figure easier to find it here...than on page 3.
SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap
biz
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Just an update on cost information for a replacement clutch. You can now purchase just the clutch itself directly from Tousley Ford for only about $34, and this is for a brand new Ford Motorcraft part. They also will sell the bearing for the pulley if you're having a bearing issue.
Given the 220K miles I have on my system, I just went ahead and purchased a new clutch and complete pulley from Tousley for $106 plus S&H. I'll take my used parts, repack the bearing on the pulley, and set them aside as an emergency replacement for either my truck, my son's F250, or my Excursion.
Given the 220K miles I have on my system, I just went ahead and purchased a new clutch and complete pulley from Tousley for $106 plus S&H. I'll take my used parts, repack the bearing on the pulley, and set them aside as an emergency replacement for either my truck, my son's F250, or my Excursion.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton
I came across this thread because it was referenced a couple of times while I was searching for a cause of a very similar problem. Thank for a solution! I can't say for certain it has fixed my problem of the AC cutting out at idle and back on again once I give it throttle because I haven't driven it long enough to find out. But mine was at around .062" well off the recommended specs. There happened to be only one shim/washer in my assembly and by coincidence it was just as thick as I needed to adjust it to. It now sits at about .022".
Now if I can just figure out why my AC and vent stopped blowing on the first 2 settings I'll be alright. Which was the second reason I came here today.
Thank you for this solution! And thanks for the post from F250_ about a replacement. Had no idea they were that inexpensive.
Now if I can just figure out why my AC and vent stopped blowing on the first 2 settings I'll be alright. Which was the second reason I came here today.
Thank you for this solution! And thanks for the post from F250_ about a replacement. Had no idea they were that inexpensive.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
There's a fan speed resistor under the hood, mounted on the heater-A/C box that likely has gone open. It's pretty common, and the replacement part is pretty cheap, too!
Sorry I don't have pictures, but SOMEBODY here has some!
Pop
Sorry I don't have pictures, but SOMEBODY here has some!
Pop
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton
Thanks for the reply SpringerPop!