A/C Woes Again
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Danksville, near Budsburg USA
While I know nothing about automotive A/C, in a past career I was an HVAC estimator for building construction.
Heating and A/C units in my world were designed with a certain temperature parameter in mind. Speaking of A/C, after calculating the heat load (glass, building construction, the number of people in a room, etc.), the A/C would be designed with a certain temperature differential in mind. That meaning the actual difference in temperature from the outside ambient to the actual indoor temp.
Let's say the system is designed for a 25deg temp difference. That would mean to maintain 70deg inside the building, the outside temp can't go over 95deg. This would be acceptable for an area in the mid-south.
So apply this to our trucks A/C. I don't know what temperature differential is designed into our systems, but it is designed for a certain temperature drop for outside temp to inside temp. Let's say it is 80deg outside, they want the cabin temp to be able to maintain 65deg inside. So, the hotter it is outside, the less cooling will be availbale inside. The vehicle manufacturers have to find an average somewhere - they can't design 10 different A/C systems for 10 different parts of the country.
So while the A/C in my truck works great here in northern Pennsylvania, you guys in Texas are going to suffer somewhat.
What has been said here a few times of using the Max setting is prudent. The A/C system can only provide a certain amount of temperature drop. If it is 100deg outside, vs 85deg in the cabin, using the Max setting which is pulling air from inside the cabin vs the hotter outside air is going to help a lot.
Heating and A/C units in my world were designed with a certain temperature parameter in mind. Speaking of A/C, after calculating the heat load (glass, building construction, the number of people in a room, etc.), the A/C would be designed with a certain temperature differential in mind. That meaning the actual difference in temperature from the outside ambient to the actual indoor temp.
Let's say the system is designed for a 25deg temp difference. That would mean to maintain 70deg inside the building, the outside temp can't go over 95deg. This would be acceptable for an area in the mid-south.
So apply this to our trucks A/C. I don't know what temperature differential is designed into our systems, but it is designed for a certain temperature drop for outside temp to inside temp. Let's say it is 80deg outside, they want the cabin temp to be able to maintain 65deg inside. So, the hotter it is outside, the less cooling will be availbale inside. The vehicle manufacturers have to find an average somewhere - they can't design 10 different A/C systems for 10 different parts of the country.
So while the A/C in my truck works great here in northern Pennsylvania, you guys in Texas are going to suffer somewhat.
What has been said here a few times of using the Max setting is prudent. The A/C system can only provide a certain amount of temperature drop. If it is 100deg outside, vs 85deg in the cabin, using the Max setting which is pulling air from inside the cabin vs the hotter outside air is going to help a lot.
I can take heat, MOF I like it. What I don't like is the humidity that usually accompanies it in Michigan.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
Well im beginning to agree with the OP.. The temp has climbed to 107 degrees the last 2 days and its barely blowing 50 degree air on max ac.. The only way i can get it cooler is when im running 70 put the transmission in 5th gear running around 2500 rpm and it will cool down to 46..
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Now that I've done some more hot weather driving, I have to change my answer.
I'm noticing that when I am in city traffic I get warmer air when I am at stoplights. I'm guessing the AC compressor is kicking off when the truck is idling. Probably meant to keep the MPGs as high as possible.
I'm noticing that when I am in city traffic I get warmer air when I am at stoplights. I'm guessing the AC compressor is kicking off when the truck is idling. Probably meant to keep the MPGs as high as possible.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
I think it has something to do with getting the hot air out of the engine bay? With city driving and running down the highway at 65 or 70 at low rpms..It was strange as soon as i kicked up the rpms (down shifting to 5th) it got quite a bit cooler. same way if your idling in a parking lot it will start getting warmer, rev the engine up to higher rpm and the ac will get colder.
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Holt, MO
The thing is that most pickups I have driven have had no issues at all blowing cold air at the hottest temps in MO and KS. That is what is so frustrating. And the fact that they didn't change these from my 2010 shows that they don't care about it at all.
I am going to take it in for an oil change, and have them check the a/c for refrigerant. Also, I am going to have them look for the tsb that I had done on my 2010 to make the a/c work better. Hopefully, they can do something to help this thing out. Even my wife complains about it and she is cold nature'd.
I have a 2006 GMC HD 3500 and blows way colder than this truck does.
I am going to take it in for an oil change, and have them check the a/c for refrigerant. Also, I am going to have them look for the tsb that I had done on my 2010 to make the a/c work better. Hopefully, they can do something to help this thing out. Even my wife complains about it and she is cold nature'd.
I have a 2006 GMC HD 3500 and blows way colder than this truck does.
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
My A/C is terrible as well. I was in a 2001 Suburban yesterday that the A/C blew my 2011 F-150 away. FYI: Temp was 97 degrees and it was cold in about 2 minutes where as my truck will take about 15 minutes just to get cool but never as cold as the Suburban. Sad because I love everything else about my truck besides this and the door rattles.
In my opinion the cooling fans on these trucks just don't move enough air through the cores for the AC to cool well. When I'm on the freeway it's blowing snowballs, but get stuck in traffic or stopped at a redlight it just doesn't cut it. Conversely my Crown Vic with it's single large fan cools remarkably well at idle speed with the sun and 105 degree heat beating down on it. However, it's cooling fan is roaring and sucking in small birds. Ford needs to lower the threshold for High speed on the cooling fans.
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: dorchester canada
I installed the ball valve on my coolant line going to the heater core and WOW!! Ice cold air all the time. 100% better and easy to do. I bought a 1/2" ball valve with the proper fittings from home depot. Took 5 minutes to install.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
My '12 cools just fine... Was out riding MX yesterday... By the time I loaded up to go home it was 102f ... Three of us in the vehicle... Perfectly comfortable temp wise, in fact had to turn the vents away from me...
Mine is a 5.0... Are the trucks that are having a/c woes Ecoboosts?
Mine is a 5.0... Are the trucks that are having a/c woes Ecoboosts?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Fox Lake, WI
Not engine specific. The A/C issues go back years now. I know of many complaints starting with the 04 redesign. Unsure of before that.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
also depends on how much stop and go driving you do... If mostly highway then there shouldnt be that many issues.. Mines nice and cold running down the highway its just when the truck is idling or running low rpms.