AC at it again
s_vares
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 780
Likes: 438
I love AC!
You should throw a guage (or have a shop do it) on the low side at least to check out the charge.
We can tell by how the High/Low numbers read what the issue is. A common problem is a slow leak. If the refigerant goes below a certain PSI it will not turn the compressor clutch on, if its slightly low it will cause it to cycle on and off.
You should throw a guage (or have a shop do it) on the low side at least to check out the charge.
We can tell by how the High/Low numbers read what the issue is. A common problem is a slow leak. If the refigerant goes below a certain PSI it will not turn the compressor clutch on, if its slightly low it will cause it to cycle on and off.
Thread Starter
Eat. Sleep. Lift.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,493
Likes: 29
From: Clearwater, FL
Originally Posted by s_vares
I love AC!
You should throw a guage (or have a shop do it) on the low side at least to check out the charge.
We can tell by how the High/Low numbers read what the issue is. A common problem is a slow leak. If the refigerant goes below a certain PSI it will not turn the compressor clutch on, if its slightly low it will cause it to cycle on and off.
You should throw a guage (or have a shop do it) on the low side at least to check out the charge.
We can tell by how the High/Low numbers read what the issue is. A common problem is a slow leak. If the refigerant goes below a certain PSI it will not turn the compressor clutch on, if its slightly low it will cause it to cycle on and off.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
Most often the problem with the a/c is airflow through the radiator/evaporator.
Think about it, the evaporator cools the refrigerant by air flowing through the radiator/evaporator. When the vehicle slows or stops, the only airflow through the radiator/evaporator is what the engine mounted cooling fan will draw through the radiator/evaporator.
1st make sure to "blow" the evaporator/radiator clean with a garden hose or LOW pressure household pressure washer. If you just can't tolerate the extremes in temperature consider changing from you engine mounted cooling fan to efans that will be turning at a steady speed and drawing a greater amount of air through the radiator/evaporator at low speeds provided you wire it properly the fans will run at a certain speed/rpm when the a/c is turned on.
Poor design from Ford? Well maybe they were just behind the times until 2010 when all f150's came with factory efans.
A refrigerant leak is a concern, especially with older vehicles. But then, your car/truck would be warm most of the time. A free a/c check wouldn't hurt. Either way you go make sure the radiator/evaporator is clean. Easy to do when you wash your vehicle.
Reason for edit...........misuse of the term evaporator. Condenser should have been the choice, doh
Think about it, the evaporator cools the refrigerant by air flowing through the radiator/evaporator. When the vehicle slows or stops, the only airflow through the radiator/evaporator is what the engine mounted cooling fan will draw through the radiator/evaporator.
1st make sure to "blow" the evaporator/radiator clean with a garden hose or LOW pressure household pressure washer. If you just can't tolerate the extremes in temperature consider changing from you engine mounted cooling fan to efans that will be turning at a steady speed and drawing a greater amount of air through the radiator/evaporator at low speeds provided you wire it properly the fans will run at a certain speed/rpm when the a/c is turned on.
Poor design from Ford? Well maybe they were just behind the times until 2010 when all f150's came with factory efans.
A refrigerant leak is a concern, especially with older vehicles. But then, your car/truck would be warm most of the time. A free a/c check wouldn't hurt. Either way you go make sure the radiator/evaporator is clean. Easy to do when you wash your vehicle.
Reason for edit...........misuse of the term evaporator. Condenser should have been the choice, doh
Last edited by '08f150stx; Apr 4, 2012 at 12:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Eat. Sleep. Lift.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,493
Likes: 29
From: Clearwater, FL
Originally Posted by '08f150stx
Most often the problem with the a/c is airflow through the radiator/evaporator.
Think about it, the evaporator cools the refrigerant by air flowing through the radiator/evaporator. When the vehicle slows or stops, the only airflow through the radiator/evaporator is what the engine mounted cooling fan will draw through the radiator/evaporator.
1st make sure to "blow" the evaporator/radiator clean with a garden hose or LOW pressure household pressure washer. If you just can't tolerate the extremes in temperature consider changing from you engine mounted cooling fan to efans that will be turning at a steady speed and drawing a greater amount of air through the radiator/evaporator at low speeds provided you wire it properly the fans will run at a certain speed/rpm when the a/c is turned on.
Poor design from Ford? Well maybe they were just behind the times until 2010 when all f150's came with factory efans.
A refrigerant leak is a concern, especially with older vehicles. But then, your car/truck would be warm most of the time. A free a/c check wouldn't hurt. Either way you go make sure the radiator/evaporator is clean. Easy to do when you wash your vehicle.
Think about it, the evaporator cools the refrigerant by air flowing through the radiator/evaporator. When the vehicle slows or stops, the only airflow through the radiator/evaporator is what the engine mounted cooling fan will draw through the radiator/evaporator.
1st make sure to "blow" the evaporator/radiator clean with a garden hose or LOW pressure household pressure washer. If you just can't tolerate the extremes in temperature consider changing from you engine mounted cooling fan to efans that will be turning at a steady speed and drawing a greater amount of air through the radiator/evaporator at low speeds provided you wire it properly the fans will run at a certain speed/rpm when the a/c is turned on.
Poor design from Ford? Well maybe they were just behind the times until 2010 when all f150's came with factory efans.
A refrigerant leak is a concern, especially with older vehicles. But then, your car/truck would be warm most of the time. A free a/c check wouldn't hurt. Either way you go make sure the radiator/evaporator is clean. Easy to do when you wash your vehicle.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
Well you can search efans, make up your own kit, troyer makes a kit.
You will not only need fans but if you don't want to just use an on off switch you will need one or two controllers and temperature probes).
I don't know if flex a lite makes a kit or not anymore.
Watch the link below (the chick on the access commercial is a bonus)
www. Motorztv.com
^^Not an optimal way to mount a temperature probe. How long must that last pinched between radiator fins, and not the most accurate reading.
I would suggest NOT buying parts for the system just because they are cheap. You may be sacrificing quality/longetivity using inexpensive or non stock parts. Blown had a thread all about the efan setup he did (READ IT!). I have the controller he used and will be purchasing the Motorcraft fans next month (monthly charge bill you know).
There is also a sticky for efan setups.
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/motorcr...cs-vid-114646/
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Heating-A...&t_pn=PWP30140
You will not only need fans but if you don't want to just use an on off switch you will need one or two controllers and temperature probes).
I don't know if flex a lite makes a kit or not anymore.
Watch the link below (the chick on the access commercial is a bonus)
www. Motorztv.com
^^Not an optimal way to mount a temperature probe. How long must that last pinched between radiator fins, and not the most accurate reading.
I would suggest NOT buying parts for the system just because they are cheap. You may be sacrificing quality/longetivity using inexpensive or non stock parts. Blown had a thread all about the efan setup he did (READ IT!). I have the controller he used and will be purchasing the Motorcraft fans next month (monthly charge bill you know).
There is also a sticky for efan setups.
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/motorcr...cs-vid-114646/
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Heating-A...&t_pn=PWP30140
Last edited by '08f150stx; Apr 4, 2012 at 12:10 PM.
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
Likes: 486
From: Lake Mary Florida
The warm air at idle has been discussed before; many have complained that the AC becomes an issue when idling in traffic. This is due in part to not enough air being drawn through the AC condensor in front of the radiator. When you are driving, this is not an issue, as more air is flowing through the condensor.
Some have had improvement (yself) by installing an electric fan. Ford has changed their '09 and up models with e-fans from the factory now.
If done right, it's a good amount of money to convert. There are many posts on this subject if folks are interested in converting.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
It can be a fan issue, assuming the rest of the AC system is in good working order. As already mentioned, the blend door is a culprit.
The warm air at idle has been discussed before; many have complained that the AC becomes an issue when idling in traffic. This is due in part to not enough air being drawn through the AC condensor in front of the radiator. When you are driving, this is not an issue, as more air is flowing through the condensor.
Some have had improvement (yself) by installing an electric fan. Ford has changed their '09 and up models with e-fans from the factory now.
If done right, it's a good amount of money to convert. There are many posts on this subject if folks are interested in converting.
The warm air at idle has been discussed before; many have complained that the AC becomes an issue when idling in traffic. This is due in part to not enough air being drawn through the AC condensor in front of the radiator. When you are driving, this is not an issue, as more air is flowing through the condensor.
Some have had improvement (yself) by installing an electric fan. Ford has changed their '09 and up models with e-fans from the factory now.
If done right, it's a good amount of money to convert. There are many posts on this subject if folks are interested in converting.
Last edited by '08f150stx; Apr 4, 2012 at 12:19 PM.
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
Likes: 486
From: Lake Mary Florida
I checked this sticky out at the top of this forum...we have not added any links yet about e-fan installations:
Stop! Before you post Read this! Common useful links! (
1 2 3)
There have been several posts on the subject, many with pics on the installation. There's also several opinions on what is best, but the general consensis is that you use a good DC controller.
Do a search on "electric fan install" and select the 2004 to 2008 forum (advanced search). Here's one example of what you'll find, and there are many more:
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/install...s-today-99507/
Stop! Before you post Read this! Common useful links! (
1 2 3) There have been several posts on the subject, many with pics on the installation. There's also several opinions on what is best, but the general consensis is that you use a good DC controller.
Do a search on "electric fan install" and select the 2004 to 2008 forum (advanced search). Here's one example of what you'll find, and there are many more:
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/install...s-today-99507/
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); Apr 4, 2012 at 12:09 PM.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
https://www.f150forum.com/f72/my-efa...p-w-pics-7032/
May not be pertain to your particular situation, but it gives a basic idea.
Like Bucko's better.
May not be pertain to your particular situation, but it gives a basic idea.
Like Bucko's better.