1997 - 2003 F-150

A/C Doesnt always cool... But somtimes does.

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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 09:53 AM
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From: Bama
A/C Doesnt always cool... But somtimes does.

Been having issues lately... When it's HOT outside, even when the trucks been in the shade, the a/c will only blow 60* air out of the vent... Which, when it's 100* doesnt really cool the truck off.

But then as soon as it cools down a little outside, like this morning it was 80* & Cloudy when I left the house, it will blow out of the vent close to 30*.

Rekon I just need to have it re-charged, or could my compressor be feeling the affects of the heat and getting ready to poop out on me?



^ That's as cool as she'll get in the afternoons. Set on 60* (as low as it will go) and blowing wide open.



This morning ^ on the way to work, same setting, it actually got a little cooler than that & got down near 32* at one point.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 12:21 PM
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The AC in my Expedition was doing something similar. Ended up need teh orifice replaced. Works like a champ now.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 01:13 PM
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What is that & What did it cost? Something easy & cheap to fix?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 01:51 PM
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I've had that when it just needed a charge.Get the $20 kit at autozone and a can of r134 and top it/check its pressure reading..
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 02:50 PM
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Yeah I need to see about having it charged. I was hoping that would solve the problem but... just worried it might be something worse.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 09:53 PM
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be carfull topping it off i live in az and i get calls every week from people who topped off ther system and broke the internals of the compressor due to over ''topping it off'' i agree with the orphis tube idea there about 2 bucks and should be changed every few years. keep in mind if you plan to do it yourself you will need a vac pump to pull down the system after you install the new tube
 
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 09:55 PM
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one other thing to check........how does your fan clutch look any oil? it may be working enough to cool the motor but when its hot out doesnt have enought to cool your condensor too just an idea might be worth checking
 
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 06:52 AM
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The orifice tube has replaced teh expension valve in some systems. It has to do with changing from high pressure to low pressure. System has to be evacuated and refilled. Had teh dealer do mine, and it ran less than 150.00
 
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 09:39 AM
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@Lukas_Mobile - I didnt think to look, I'll check that out.

Thanks for the tips guys. I think I'll just take her in and let someone charge it for me. That way at least I'll know it's done right. Guess I can have them check the orifice while they are at it.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:31 AM
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I recharge all my vehicles. its easy you just follow the instructions there is a gauge dont over fill it. I've saved myself hundreds if not thousands fixing my own A/c stuff.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 12:05 PM
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Ok well maybe I'll give it a shot then. Any other tips besides dont over fill it?
 
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