A/C issue
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 258
Likes: 2
The DIY kits at the parts store are hydrocarbon refrigerants that are designed as a drop in replacement for the R-134a in all vehicles. The drop ind actually work *slightly* better than 134 but are much more flammable.
As for your cooling issue there are many more possibilities than low charge that could be the cause.
Your evaporator coil could be plugged and not allowing enough air through. Look for a 20 degree temp drop from outside to the air out of your vents, or from inside air to vent air if you're using max a/c
A bad or weak radiator fan will cause poor sub-cooling in the system and thus poor cooling. This is most evident at idle even on a properly working system.
Your blend door could also be mixing hot air from the heater into the air stream.
If you are low on charge, you'll notice your compressor under the hood running for very short periods of time (5-20) seconds as opposed to non-stop til the temp gets closer to where you want it
As for your cooling issue there are many more possibilities than low charge that could be the cause.
Your evaporator coil could be plugged and not allowing enough air through. Look for a 20 degree temp drop from outside to the air out of your vents, or from inside air to vent air if you're using max a/c
A bad or weak radiator fan will cause poor sub-cooling in the system and thus poor cooling. This is most evident at idle even on a properly working system.
Your blend door could also be mixing hot air from the heater into the air stream.
If you are low on charge, you'll notice your compressor under the hood running for very short periods of time (5-20) seconds as opposed to non-stop til the temp gets closer to where you want it
My blend door motor was going out and it would allow hot air to come thru when I was on cool or a/c.... It's about a$35 part and takes small hands and 45 mins to replace. You could hear it....kinda sound like you have a mouse up behind the radio..... You may check that.....it's a common issue.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Turns out it was low on charge. After a recharge, it is back to near new performance. Now something is hitting on blower fan when I have it on max speed, but not at any other speed. I have yet to get to checking it out to see what is causing this.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
The hitting sound turned out to be a cracked blower fan. Guess it was separating and widening the shaft hole at high speed and hitting on the shaft as it turned in the hole. $22 dollars later, now the fan will blow your eyes out on max speed and no more thumping sound!!
Glad to see your truck back to normal again. You took the suggestions right outta my mouth. I fight with A/C troubles all the time on E Series Fords. Only thing that sucks about them is they are a dual unit ( front and rear ) for ambulances. On top of that everything is so cramped together under the hood that you have to disassemble everything just to replace minor parts.