2012 f 150 ac problem
06-12-2018, 11:10 AM
#11
Thanks for the post. Ive read through most of it. I dont entirely understand the install of that ohm devise... i understand what it does.
ive since gone to home depot and purchased pipe insulatuon. For 1/2 od pipe and fit it arround the cold line (fat line) going from the firewall to the compressor. There was about 8 inches total of insulation from the factory. It was only on a few sections and didnt wrap completely arround the pipe. I insulated everything i could of the fat line.
two things have improved. Today was a 105 degree day. Driving to homedepot ac would get to 45. As long as i was up to speed. Accelerating after turns or stops would see sometimes as high as 55 if i was at a stop. After wrapping the fat line (cold to the touch while ac is on) i never saw the surging while accelerating ac at vents didnt go above 42. Got as low as 39 once i was up to speed. I was only doing a test drive up a long straightaway. Max speed 45mph. So ill report what happens at freeway speed. But as i saw in the research this insulating the cold line made a difference. My next step will either be the heater core bypass valve or ceramic based window tint.
ive since gone to home depot and purchased pipe insulatuon. For 1/2 od pipe and fit it arround the cold line (fat line) going from the firewall to the compressor. There was about 8 inches total of insulation from the factory. It was only on a few sections and didnt wrap completely arround the pipe. I insulated everything i could of the fat line.
two things have improved. Today was a 105 degree day. Driving to homedepot ac would get to 45. As long as i was up to speed. Accelerating after turns or stops would see sometimes as high as 55 if i was at a stop. After wrapping the fat line (cold to the touch while ac is on) i never saw the surging while accelerating ac at vents didnt go above 42. Got as low as 39 once i was up to speed. I was only doing a test drive up a long straightaway. Max speed 45mph. So ill report what happens at freeway speed. But as i saw in the research this insulating the cold line made a difference. My next step will either be the heater core bypass valve or ceramic based window tint.
So dang hot and muggy here in the south lately I'll take anything even if it only buys me one degree cooler at the vents!
Thanks again.
06-12-2018, 11:14 AM
#12
Yes 1/2 was plenty. You want the armalite brand not the cheaper one. More of a neoprene texture. And one 6ft piece was enough. I found the adhesive to not be sticky enough and used zip ties to make sure it didnt open up. There was a section close to the compressor that balooned in size and seemed to already be insulated. I didnt mess with that part i just covered the bare aluminum that was exposed. Ill post a picture.
For the plenum box to get to the evaporator i just used a regular utility blade. Cheap stanley from walmart. But not the thin breakaway style. It penetrated the plastic fine. Cutting was slow. A rocking motion as i applied pressure in the direction i wanted to go made the most progress without the blade slipping.
For the plenum box to get to the evaporator i just used a regular utility blade. Cheap stanley from walmart. But not the thin breakaway style. It penetrated the plastic fine. Cutting was slow. A rocking motion as i applied pressure in the direction i wanted to go made the most progress without the blade slipping.
Last edited by tsmooth; 06-12-2018 at 01:24 PM.
06-12-2018, 11:59 AM
#13
Follow the white zip ties. Some guys say they use the insulated tape on top of this... i couldnt see how to get that wrapped around i barely got the foam on without ripping it. But it makes sense why this works. Keeps the cold line insulated from the hot line next to it and the heat of the day and engine bay. Let me know if it works for you.
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Joe F (06-12-2018)
06-12-2018, 01:15 PM
#14
another thing i noticed today that i thought was worth mentioning. Previously with all car ac's that i have used. when you are sitting parked you will get cooler temps at the vents without the recirculator on. i assume this is because there is no airflow/ a lot less airflow in the engine bay while sitting still, causing the heat to transfer to the cold line... this is just personal theory. anyways I've always watched the vent temp thermometer climb while using recirculator sitting still. well today i had to wait for someone for a good 15-20 minutes parked at a gas station. 97 degree outside temp, with recirculator on and power three setting for the fan, my ac stayed a cold 42... never wavered. i'm going to wrap the cold line on my wife's Honda pilot and make sure this isn't just placebo, i'm confident its not cause I've watched that ac vent thermometer climb so many times while using recirculator while stopped. i will also report throughout the summer to see if i continue to see the same results on the 113 degree days.
driving at freeway speeds the vent temp stays pegged at 40 degrees. i didn't get anything below that but i'm supper happy with my results so far.
driving at freeway speeds the vent temp stays pegged at 40 degrees. i didn't get anything below that but i'm supper happy with my results so far.
06-12-2018, 04:57 PM
#15
This has been a great thread for a noob first post! 
I am definitely going to go with the pipe insulation, but instead of cutting that big hole in the evap housing, I think I may consider a DWD2 kit. It's just a tiny hole and the kit (43.85 on Amazon) includes the drill bit, the injection screw and then a plug for when you are done. Looks like a no muss no fuss way to do it and might be just the ticket. https://dwd2.com/ Gonna do a bit more research on this first.
I am definitely going to go with the pipe insulation, but instead of cutting that big hole in the evap housing, I think I may consider a DWD2 kit. It's just a tiny hole and the kit (43.85 on Amazon) includes the drill bit, the injection screw and then a plug for when you are done. Looks like a no muss no fuss way to do it and might be just the ticket. https://dwd2.com/ Gonna do a bit more research on this first.
Last edited by Joe F; 06-12-2018 at 05:21 PM.
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tsmooth (06-12-2018)
06-12-2018, 08:28 PM
#16
thanks for the compliment.
i am curious how it ends up working out for you with that dwd2 kit. i understand you not wanting to cut a hole in your plenum box to get to your evap. it seems kind of invasive. i personally did it in case there was anything blocking the fins, i felt i would have the best chance of dislodging it by spraying water from the back through the front, i bounced it around for a month before i finally decided to bite the bullet. Either way i hope you share your results. it would be cool to have a corroboration of information and experiences with these two projects. cleaning the ac evap and wraping the pipes... however other forums already confirm the wrapping pipes trick so... were not accomplishing much by confirming that. but how to clean the evap... i think that one could save a lot of people money and summer suffering.
on a side note i wrapped my wifes pilot cold lines today at lunch. there was a whole whopping 12 inches exposed. and it was hard to get to. i got it done but the only results i could see were that it got to temp a little faster... no decrease in vent temp.
i am curious how it ends up working out for you with that dwd2 kit. i understand you not wanting to cut a hole in your plenum box to get to your evap. it seems kind of invasive. i personally did it in case there was anything blocking the fins, i felt i would have the best chance of dislodging it by spraying water from the back through the front, i bounced it around for a month before i finally decided to bite the bullet. Either way i hope you share your results. it would be cool to have a corroboration of information and experiences with these two projects. cleaning the ac evap and wraping the pipes... however other forums already confirm the wrapping pipes trick so... were not accomplishing much by confirming that. but how to clean the evap... i think that one could save a lot of people money and summer suffering.
on a side note i wrapped my wifes pilot cold lines today at lunch. there was a whole whopping 12 inches exposed. and it was hard to get to. i got it done but the only results i could see were that it got to temp a little faster... no decrease in vent temp.
06-12-2018, 08:58 PM
#17
Senior Member
thanks for the compliment.
i am curious how it ends up working out for you with that dwd2 kit. i understand you not wanting to cut a hole in your plenum box to get to your evap. it seems kind of invasive. i personally did it in case there was anything blocking the fins, i felt i would have the best chance of dislodging it by spraying water from the back through the front, i bounced it around for a month before i finally decided to bite the bullet. Either way i hope you share your results. it would be cool to have a corroboration of information and experiences with these two projects. cleaning the ac evap and wraping the pipes... however other forums already confirm the wrapping pipes trick so... were not accomplishing much by confirming that. but how to clean the evap... i think that one could save a lot of people money and summer suffering.
on a side note i wrapped my wifes pilot cold lines today at lunch. there was a whole whopping 12 inches exposed. and it was hard to get to. i got it done but the only results i could see were that it got to temp a little faster... no decrease in vent temp.
i am curious how it ends up working out for you with that dwd2 kit. i understand you not wanting to cut a hole in your plenum box to get to your evap. it seems kind of invasive. i personally did it in case there was anything blocking the fins, i felt i would have the best chance of dislodging it by spraying water from the back through the front, i bounced it around for a month before i finally decided to bite the bullet. Either way i hope you share your results. it would be cool to have a corroboration of information and experiences with these two projects. cleaning the ac evap and wraping the pipes... however other forums already confirm the wrapping pipes trick so... were not accomplishing much by confirming that. but how to clean the evap... i think that one could save a lot of people money and summer suffering.
on a side note i wrapped my wifes pilot cold lines today at lunch. there was a whole whopping 12 inches exposed. and it was hard to get to. i got it done but the only results i could see were that it got to temp a little faster... no decrease in vent temp.
theres an an old big post on this wrapping, seems some say it works, some say no change others say not needed. FYI
06-13-2018, 11:53 AM
#18
Junior Member
Hi, I am new to the forum and want to try this as well. Has anyone looked at the Kool it version of the evaporator cleaning kit? Their kit suggests going in through the drain hose and emptying the can with the AC/fan off. Anyone have thoughts on that approach?
Joe F, have you found anything else in your research?
Thanks.
Mike
Joe F, have you found anything else in your research?
Thanks.
Mike
06-13-2018, 12:04 PM
#19
Hi, I am new to the forum and want to try this as well. Has anyone looked at the Kool it version of the evaporator cleaning kit? Their kit suggests going in through the drain hose and emptying the can with the AC/fan off. Anyone have thoughts on that approach?
Joe F, have you found anything else in your research?
Thanks.
Mike
Joe F, have you found anything else in your research?
Thanks.
Mike
In addition to the DWD2 method, I have also been looking at the Lube Gard Kool It versions (Pretty inexpensive at 11.99) as well as the Klima-Cleaner version (about 15 bucks). While the DWD2 seems to be the most comprehensive and the most pricey, it is interesting to me that their products do not have a single review on Amazon. Still considering which method I want to try and for all I know I may just go back to the OP method of opening a hole and spraying a hose in there. I have not tried to locate my drain outlet yet, but from what I've read on this forum, it seems a real bear to get to. I am not having any problems with air flow or air temperature. Here in the extremely humid southeast, my main issue has been that slight moldy smell when it first starts. I'm sure that after 5 years and no cabin filter, I'd be appalled at what the intake side of the evaporator looks like by now too. Not catastrophic by any means and the touch of odor goes away with the end of A/C season, but if there is an easy way to be rid of it over the summer why not?
Last edited by Joe F; 06-13-2018 at 12:06 PM.
06-13-2018, 02:21 PM
#20
after your post ive looked into this further... and i can see why some people say it probably wont help. your insulating a cold line that has flow going from the evaporator into the condenser. which doesn't make much sense to insulate...it would make more sense to insulate this if the flow went the other direction, but thats not how ac works, however, based on the things i have read as to why insulating the cold/low pressure line increases efficiency, in some cases, is that you are insulating the cold line to the compressor which means you are now delivering cold gas to the compressor that has only been heated up with the heat the evaporator is pulling out of the cab and not from the engine bay as well, making your compressor not have to work as hard. I dunno it seems like it could help and it seems like it could be a wash. For me i feel like the testing i have done has been proof that it helps atleast in my truck that had lots of exposed line going back to the compressor. but im sure someone could poke holes in my data.