Upgrade for poor AC performance?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
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From: Medford, OR
Upgrade for poor AC performance?
I have always been less than impressed with the performance of the AC in my 2006 F150. I have a Nissan Altima that is substantially colder. In my truck any time it gets 90+ the AC is barely tolerable and only after pretty substantial cool down time. Are there any upgrades out there for this truck? I would be willing to go with a bigger compressor or something if it meant getting it to where I don't have to run max air on max blow just to be tolerable.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
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From: Medford, OR
I have never had it serviced, but will next time it's at the dealership. It blows exactly the way it did the day I brought it home brand new, so I always assumed that is just as good as they get.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
From what I understand, a lot, if not all the trucks don't come from the factory fully charged with freon.
Your truck should still be under warranty, so I'd go to the dealer and make the fully charge the system.
Another thing I've heard helps....
The a/c line to or from the compressor runs right next to the hose that goes to the heater core. The hose going to the heater core pumps hot coolant, so it warms up the a/c line, not making as cold as it should be.
Some people cut the hose before it gets to the a/c line and put a ball **** valve and turn off the flow during the summer, and back on during the winter for heater use.
From what I was told, that alone will make a 10 degree difference in the air coming out of the vents.
Your truck should still be under warranty, so I'd go to the dealer and make the fully charge the system.
Another thing I've heard helps....
The a/c line to or from the compressor runs right next to the hose that goes to the heater core. The hose going to the heater core pumps hot coolant, so it warms up the a/c line, not making as cold as it should be.
Some people cut the hose before it gets to the a/c line and put a ball **** valve and turn off the flow during the summer, and back on during the winter for heater use.
From what I was told, that alone will make a 10 degree difference in the air coming out of the vents.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
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From: SpringHill,Fl
the a/c gets cold by freon rapidly expanding once it flows into the evaporator.
I dont think the heater hose will affect the the a/c line, but not having heat inside the heater core should help by not having an unnecessary heat source next to the cold air.
Mark
I dont think the heater hose will affect the the a/c line, but not having heat inside the heater core should help by not having an unnecessary heat source next to the cold air.
Mark
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
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From: Medford, OR
The truck only has 15K miles on it and is definitely still under warranty, so when it goes in for the brake booster hose recall I will have them check that out as well. Might as well get all the little annoyances out of the way before the warranty is gone.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
Had mine in for the same reason and was told it was within spec and to the read the manual on how to "properly" operate the A/C. Whatever. Lots of folks on here complaining of this problem. I few have had some luck with the hose bypass mentioned above by MBBford. I'm getting ready to install some electric fans in the next few weeks. I've heard they may help as well.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
It's amazing how Ford will just 'act' dumb and ignore the probelm.
A lot of trucks NEEDED to have freon added to the system, b/c they weren't fully charged from the Factory, but the dealor is to lazy to do it and help the customer.
Maybe not all of them needed it, but I'm sure most could use it.
A lot of trucks NEEDED to have freon added to the system, b/c they weren't fully charged from the Factory, but the dealor is to lazy to do it and help the customer.
Maybe not all of them needed it, but I'm sure most could use it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
Likes: 0
From: SpringHill,Fl
nowadays the a/c machines are automatic...
they pull out the freon, pull a vacuum and hold it, check for leaks, and refill the system.
it wouldnt hurt to do it once a year just to get out any contaminents
Mark
they pull out the freon, pull a vacuum and hold it, check for leaks, and refill the system.
it wouldnt hurt to do it once a year just to get out any contaminents
Mark
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
low freon could be a cause...but
the mixing/blend door on these trucks doesn't like to fully shut. when you isolate the heater core like MBB mentioned, the blend door only has a cold air input to send 100% instead of the hot and cold inputs.
my A/C will blow ice cold and freeze me out 1 day, and the next time I drive it (maybe 10 minutes later) it will barely be adequate with the fan on high and set at 65F.
Alot of guys have had luck. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, but eventually I'll need to do this myself. Especially as it's 85+F year around where I live
Fixed My Poor A/C Performance Thread
my A/C will blow ice cold and freeze me out 1 day, and the next time I drive it (maybe 10 minutes later) it will barely be adequate with the fan on high and set at 65F.
Alot of guys have had luck. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, but eventually I'll need to do this myself. Especially as it's 85+F year around where I live
Fixed My Poor A/C Performance Thread
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
low freon could be a cause...but
the mixing/blend door on these trucks doesn't like to fully shut. when you isolate the heater core like MBB mentioned, the blend door only has a cold air input to send 100% instead of the hot and cold inputs.
my A/C will blow ice cold and freeze me out 1 day, and the next time I drive it (maybe 10 minutes later) it will barely be adequate with the fan on high and set at 65F.
see this thread on F150online. Alot of guys have had luck. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, but eventually I'll need to do this myself. Especially as it's 85+F year around where I live
Fixed My Poor A/C Performance Thread
the mixing/blend door on these trucks doesn't like to fully shut. when you isolate the heater core like MBB mentioned, the blend door only has a cold air input to send 100% instead of the hot and cold inputs.
my A/C will blow ice cold and freeze me out 1 day, and the next time I drive it (maybe 10 minutes later) it will barely be adequate with the fan on high and set at 65F.
see this thread on F150online. Alot of guys have had luck. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, but eventually I'll need to do this myself. Especially as it's 85+F year around where I live
Fixed My Poor A/C Performance Thread
I haven't seen below 97* in the afternoons in a while, and that's with about 90% humidity.
And summer isn't nearly over.....
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
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From: Las Vegas, NV
My AC does get cold, but it takes a loonnngg time. A trip of two miles is going to be hot here in Las Vegas. Trouble is this, I get used to the extreme heat by mid June, so then it ain't a thing for me. But every May and early June I think Ford is/are a bunch of morons.
I guess I should take it to the stealership and get it looked at. Geez I hate that trip! It's like beating a bleeding foot!
I guess I should take it to the stealership and get it looked at. Geez I hate that trip! It's like beating a bleeding foot!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
Likes: 0
From: SpringHill,Fl
we had upper 90's with 60% humidity and I nearly died!!
105 degrees with 8% humidity is perfect!
Mark