AC recharge
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,244
Likes: 40
f**d a/c sucks when they are leaking. the only real way to get it taken care of is to replace every component. did it a while back and cost ~$750 + a day of wrenching. there is no messing around with south texas heat!
if you cannot go that route, and the leak is not too bad, you can try some Red Angel or Cliplight. be advised, if the leak persists after using either of these- you will have to replace the drier and orifice tube before doing anything else on the system.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,221
Likes: 5,405
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
if it has a leak and the shop says they can't find it, it is time to find a different shop that knows AC systems.
my crown vic has a SMALL leak that needs to be recharged every other year.
it took me all of 5 minutes to find it with the sniffer after i charged it last year.
at the end of this season when it needs charging again, i will fix it properly.
my crown vic has a SMALL leak that needs to be recharged every other year.
it took me all of 5 minutes to find it with the sniffer after i charged it last year.
at the end of this season when it needs charging again, i will fix it properly.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
you can go to walmart, buy the syththetic R134a big bottle recharge with the guage. Check your low end pressure according to the specs on the can (should be 35-45psi) If its low then add, if not you've got other issues. The fact that you have SOME A/c means you've got at least some pressure which would indicate you have no major leaks. the sealant in the can will take care of the rest. Buy the Synth stuff that gets 50% colder faster, you won't be sorry. it even contains the proper oil needed for the compressor.
also check your clutch gap with a feeler guage. (should be .025-.030 i think) Mine was up to pressure but the ac clutch kept disengaging on it own intermittently until i took a little spacer out behind the clutch which allowed the electromagnetic coil to grab it better. It took 5 min.
also check your clutch gap with a feeler guage. (should be .025-.030 i think) Mine was up to pressure but the ac clutch kept disengaging on it own intermittently until i took a little spacer out behind the clutch which allowed the electromagnetic coil to grab it better. It took 5 min.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
if it has a leak and the shop says they can't find it, it is time to find a different shop that knows AC systems.
my crown vic has a SMALL leak that needs to be recharged every other year.
it took me all of 5 minutes to find it with the sniffer after i charged it last year.
at the end of this season when it needs charging again, i will fix it properly.
my crown vic has a SMALL leak that needs to be recharged every other year.
it took me all of 5 minutes to find it with the sniffer after i charged it last year.
at the end of this season when it needs charging again, i will fix it properly.
They used UV dye and couldn't find the leak, I looked it over after driving it for a week and couldn't find it either. But it's clearly leaking I lost about a third of my charge over the the last 6 months. I figured the ford dealer in florida would be a good place to go.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,221
Likes: 5,405
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
you need a black light to properly see the UV dye.
and if it is leaking under the fitting or in the evaporator or condenser, you will not see the dye either. that is where the sniffer comes in handy.
if there is any leakage at all, the sniffer will tell you.
the schrader valve in the low side port on the crown vic is leaking. spray soapy water on it and it will give one small bubble every 4-5 minutes.
like i said, it is a very small leak.
i got the sniffer out and eventually found it. then used the soap water to confirm it was in fact the valve.
and if it is leaking under the fitting or in the evaporator or condenser, you will not see the dye either. that is where the sniffer comes in handy.
if there is any leakage at all, the sniffer will tell you.
the schrader valve in the low side port on the crown vic is leaking. spray soapy water on it and it will give one small bubble every 4-5 minutes.
like i said, it is a very small leak.
i got the sniffer out and eventually found it. then used the soap water to confirm it was in fact the valve.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
Sometimes compressor shaft seals are hard to detect because the clutch is in the way. These conpressor cases are known to leak where the halves meet. Condensers leak frequently too. Don't be afraid to use soapy water spray to find leaks. Fords evaporators seem to be pretty stout. Dodges on the other hand...
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,221
Likes: 5,405
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i had 3 evaporators go on my trucks, the 88, the 89, and the 91.
the 89 and 91 were replaced before i sold the trucks, the 88 still needs it but since i am replacing the cab real soon, i am not bothering with the one currently in it.
the 89 and 91 were replaced before i sold the trucks, the 88 still needs it but since i am replacing the cab real soon, i am not bothering with the one currently in it.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 8
From: Longview, TX
Try another shop, someone who does AC work, they usually have it advertised on big banners in Florida. What part of Florida? There are several of us spread throughout the state, maybe one of us can recommend a shop close to you.
As for the clutch gap adjustment, check out the SpringerPop link in my sig, he's got a how-to there. Or the Tex link and look at one of the last few pages. There's a write up there too.
As for the clutch gap adjustment, check out the SpringerPop link in my sig, he's got a how-to there. Or the Tex link and look at one of the last few pages. There's a write up there too.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
Try another shop, someone who does AC work, they usually have it advertised on big banners in Florida. What part of Florida? There are several of us spread throughout the state, maybe one of us can recommend a shop close to you.
As for the clutch gap adjustment, check out the SpringerPop link in my sig, he's got a how-to there. Or the Tex link and look at one of the last few pages. There's a write up there too.
As for the clutch gap adjustment, check out the SpringerPop link in my sig, he's got a how-to there. Or the Tex link and look at one of the last few pages. There's a write up there too.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
In Post #8 above "bluescrew" wrote: "when im on the skinny pedal it blows cold, when i idle its not cold..".
If I were bluescrew, since it DOES blow cold, I wouldn't be messing with the refrigerant levels just yet, and would be trying this, instead:
SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap
After doing that, only then would I try more refrigerant.
Eliminate the easy, and cheap, things first!
Pop
If I were bluescrew, since it DOES blow cold, I wouldn't be messing with the refrigerant levels just yet, and would be trying this, instead:
SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap
After doing that, only then would I try more refrigerant.
Eliminate the easy, and cheap, things first!
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
I was speaking for the superduty, I was being a little vague I guess. My 89 still had r12 in it when I yanked the motor in 08.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 14
From: South Carolina
In Post #8 above "bluescrew" wrote: "when im on the skinny pedal it blows cold, when i idle its not cold..".
If I were bluescrew, since it DOES blow cold, I wouldn't be messing with the refrigerant levels just yet, and would be trying this, instead:
SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap
After doing that, only then would I try more refrigerant.
Eliminate the easy, and cheap, things first!
Pop
If I were bluescrew, since it DOES blow cold, I wouldn't be messing with the refrigerant levels just yet, and would be trying this, instead:
SpringerPop's Compressor Clutch Air Gap
After doing that, only then would I try more refrigerant.
Eliminate the easy, and cheap, things first!
Pop
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