I bought a 2004 f150 4.6 with 100k miles about 3 months ago. When I purchased it the system had no charge. I added a can to it and the compressor came on and worked for about a month then the clutch went bad. I purchased a new compressor, drier and exp valve and had the system refilled. It blew incredibly cold for a few weeks and about 3 days ago gradually began getting hotter to the point where it blows warm under any condition now. The condenser seems OK, the only thing out of the ordinary is the drier is not getting cold. Would these symptoms indicate a clog somewhere? Also the blend door seems to be functioning properly. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

leak in the evaporator under the dash, big repair and cost. Thats my guess.

 

Would a leak under the dash cause a puddle somewhere or at least a mildew smell? Thanks for your reply digital

 

Mildew smell can be coming from moisture in the evap box causing mold and bacteria growth. If you have a water leak/condensation moisture on the passenger floor, you more than likely have a blocked drain line or your evap is freezing because it is low.

The freon leak will not smell like mildew. The cow manure smell is also seen in some recent new truck models, my 13 has it.

If you have someone pull a vacuum on the system, they should be able to see a leak as air seeps back into the system, the gauges will rise.

To clarify, when I said leak under the dash, I was not referring to a moisture type leak but was alluding to a freon leak and the location of the evaporator.

 

I understand. Thanks for the info. I've already put about $1000 in to the truck so I may as well fix it. Do you think filling it up with the stop leak will be a temporary fix? It's insanely hot down here in South Florida and I don't think I'll have the time to pull the dash until next weekend. I'm dying over here lol

 

No do not use stop leak!

 

134a is cheap,pull a vacuum and recharge to correct amount to get you by.

You may want to reopen the system and change the fixed orifice valve, if there is one on that truck. Its cheap and simple.

Also,when you recharge it use a can of leak detect,so that you can find a slow leak with a black light.

 

On another note, if you plan on keeping the truck for a while, while you have the dash pulled you may want to also check the heater core!

 

AC is a closed system you have a leak get some leak detector in there.I am guessing a leak in the compressor or a leak at an o ring.

 

Yep he needs to get someone with a freon sniffer and black light and shoot a can of leak detector in. It may not be the evaporator.