06 - A/C not very cold
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: NH of course
I'm not an A/C tech but I am certified and I supervised A/C guys in Vegas for a few years.
If both systems were the same you'd get the same amount of cooling. So if your truck does not blow cold enough you need to complain. If they are good your shop will do a thorough inspection and take temps in about 8 or more places.
A/C guys check refrigerant temp at the compressor, condenser entry & exit, expansion device, air inlet, dash outlets, and at the evaporator entry & exit. If they suspect problems (blockage?) they may check other places for unexpected temp changes. They also will check for any stored info in the trucks memory (don't laugh some store info) and they will check high and low side pressure of the refrigerant. All this info gets combined to make an informed choice of what to do. Also ask if anyone on the forum knows what Ford uses for a rule of thumb on A/C. For example if they say your truck shoud lower the outside air 22 degrees and you're getting 23, there could be an argument.
If they can't give you an definite answer they will probably offer to inject a dye charge and have you drive a few days. They are looking to see if the system leaks. If they just offer to evacuate and recharge, it should cool well when you first pick it up. If it then gets worse you have a refrigerant leak, and hopefully they dyed the refrigerant charge.
So the bad thing is, sometimes it takes 2 visits. But the good thing is it's warranty if you are under on mileage. If they do a service and ask you to come back they might have you sign off that you will do so within a set amount of miles or time, that is to avoid doing the job twice. If you wait too long it can cost more for the repair, which they could bill to you.
If the dealer completely stiffs you, call the zone office and ask if you can take it to a different dealer or an independent. I don't think they'd authorize an independent unless you live 100 miles from where the telephone poles end.
Pete
If both systems were the same you'd get the same amount of cooling. So if your truck does not blow cold enough you need to complain. If they are good your shop will do a thorough inspection and take temps in about 8 or more places.
A/C guys check refrigerant temp at the compressor, condenser entry & exit, expansion device, air inlet, dash outlets, and at the evaporator entry & exit. If they suspect problems (blockage?) they may check other places for unexpected temp changes. They also will check for any stored info in the trucks memory (don't laugh some store info) and they will check high and low side pressure of the refrigerant. All this info gets combined to make an informed choice of what to do. Also ask if anyone on the forum knows what Ford uses for a rule of thumb on A/C. For example if they say your truck shoud lower the outside air 22 degrees and you're getting 23, there could be an argument.
If they can't give you an definite answer they will probably offer to inject a dye charge and have you drive a few days. They are looking to see if the system leaks. If they just offer to evacuate and recharge, it should cool well when you first pick it up. If it then gets worse you have a refrigerant leak, and hopefully they dyed the refrigerant charge.
So the bad thing is, sometimes it takes 2 visits. But the good thing is it's warranty if you are under on mileage. If they do a service and ask you to come back they might have you sign off that you will do so within a set amount of miles or time, that is to avoid doing the job twice. If you wait too long it can cost more for the repair, which they could bill to you.
If the dealer completely stiffs you, call the zone office and ask if you can take it to a different dealer or an independent. I don't think they'd authorize an independent unless you live 100 miles from where the telephone poles end.
Pete
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Az.
Just gotta mention something...
I live in Phoenix Az and we get the lovely honor of 110+ degree weather for a good 3 months (Jun to Aug). Having an a/c system that works is a necessity.
I took a road trip to the sf bay area (saw bonds hit #756). From Phoenix to Tracy, Ca., I had my a/c on with no concerns. Turned it off and didn't us it the whole week. On the return trip I attempted to turn on my a/c when I was greeted with nothing but hot air. Pulled over on the 5 and checked it out (with out any tools) and realized the compressor clutch was not engaging. I didn't know if it was the pressure switch, the ground to the clutch magnet, whatever and had to brave the trip and the heat with no a/c (sucked).
Got home and checked it out. No refrigerant in the system what so ever. Must of had a cold leak and the temp in Phx must have never dropped low enough to allow it. Found the leak in the manifold line(s) to and from the compressor. Went to Ford to get a replacement line to find that the part that they gave me was considerable different than the one I pulled off. My old part had an original part# sticker and I was told this new, shorter line superceeded the original. Cool, I'll buy that. Two very noticable differences are that the filter/drier was moved from before the compressor to after the comp and the lines themselves where considerable shorter and un-insulated...
... before, mind you, I have never had any a/c or cooling issues with my system. i felt is was extremely cold and proficient when i bought the truck and it would always blow ice cold, even in this az temp. My wife loves driving my truck versus her impreza during this heat because its colder and does so so much quicker.
My point...
I have an 04 F150 Super crew. My truck was built in march of 2004 (an early design). I have took the dealers advice and installed the "new" line(s) and have seen all 05 and later trucks have the exact same system/design. Since the install of the new parts my system simply doesn't get as cold as it did before. Before, when temps reached 110+ it took a little longer but I was getting 60-65 deg air no worries. Now, I get 65+ to 70 (sometimes as high as 72). While is seems like only a few degrees, its huge when considering such a cavernous cab as the SCrew. I don't know. I may just be a little peeved about the drive back without a/c but I feel the redesigned lost me those cooling degrees.
Just ranting. If you guys/gals ever get a chance to see an early 04 f150 ac system intact you'll see what i mean. I think it worked a little bit better. Whats the point of putting a filter/drier after the compressor anyway? I always thought the filter was to protect the compressor. While debris will clogg a condenser or an orifice tube the replacement costs/cleaning costs of those components are substantially less than the time, labor, and cost of the compressor....just 2 cents... ur, may a buck-25...
I took a road trip to the sf bay area (saw bonds hit #756). From Phoenix to Tracy, Ca., I had my a/c on with no concerns. Turned it off and didn't us it the whole week. On the return trip I attempted to turn on my a/c when I was greeted with nothing but hot air. Pulled over on the 5 and checked it out (with out any tools) and realized the compressor clutch was not engaging. I didn't know if it was the pressure switch, the ground to the clutch magnet, whatever and had to brave the trip and the heat with no a/c (sucked).
Got home and checked it out. No refrigerant in the system what so ever. Must of had a cold leak and the temp in Phx must have never dropped low enough to allow it. Found the leak in the manifold line(s) to and from the compressor. Went to Ford to get a replacement line to find that the part that they gave me was considerable different than the one I pulled off. My old part had an original part# sticker and I was told this new, shorter line superceeded the original. Cool, I'll buy that. Two very noticable differences are that the filter/drier was moved from before the compressor to after the comp and the lines themselves where considerable shorter and un-insulated...
... before, mind you, I have never had any a/c or cooling issues with my system. i felt is was extremely cold and proficient when i bought the truck and it would always blow ice cold, even in this az temp. My wife loves driving my truck versus her impreza during this heat because its colder and does so so much quicker.
My point...
I have an 04 F150 Super crew. My truck was built in march of 2004 (an early design). I have took the dealers advice and installed the "new" line(s) and have seen all 05 and later trucks have the exact same system/design. Since the install of the new parts my system simply doesn't get as cold as it did before. Before, when temps reached 110+ it took a little longer but I was getting 60-65 deg air no worries. Now, I get 65+ to 70 (sometimes as high as 72). While is seems like only a few degrees, its huge when considering such a cavernous cab as the SCrew. I don't know. I may just be a little peeved about the drive back without a/c but I feel the redesigned lost me those cooling degrees.
Just ranting. If you guys/gals ever get a chance to see an early 04 f150 ac system intact you'll see what i mean. I think it worked a little bit better. Whats the point of putting a filter/drier after the compressor anyway? I always thought the filter was to protect the compressor. While debris will clogg a condenser or an orifice tube the replacement costs/cleaning costs of those components are substantially less than the time, labor, and cost of the compressor....just 2 cents... ur, may a buck-25...
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Central Georgia
This past weekend I bought a digital meat thermometer and did some testing. Outside temp was 100+ and after 30 minutes or so, the vent temp reached 50 degreees. I never saw any cooler than this. I had recirc on and temp set at 60. Fan was set on medium.
It eventually gets the cabin to where it's bearable but it will not freeze you out. Of course my dealer told me it's normal just like every other problem I've had them check.
I will say this, I will never buy another Ford!
It eventually gets the cabin to where it's bearable but it will not freeze you out. Of course my dealer told me it's normal just like every other problem I've had them check.
I will say this, I will never buy another Ford!
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Same here, have an '06 Screw and the air gets to about 50 degrees. My '01 Supercab would blow about 42 degrees which made a big difference. I live in Southeast Texas and it gets plenty hot. Haven't brought it to a dealer for fear of the hassle. I guess I'll have to suffer.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Tenn.
Originally Posted by Jub Jub
This past weekend I bought a digital meat thermometer and did some testing. Outside temp was 100+ and after 30 minutes or so, the vent temp reached 50 degreees. I never saw any cooler than this. I had recirc on and temp set at 60. Fan was set on medium.
It eventually gets the cabin to where it's bearable but it will not freeze you out. Of course my dealer told me it's normal just like every other problem I've had them check.
I will say this, I will never buy another Ford!
It eventually gets the cabin to where it's bearable but it will not freeze you out. Of course my dealer told me it's normal just like every other problem I've had them check.
I will say this, I will never buy another Ford!
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Central Georgia
Originally Posted by memLT-1
If its so hot why do you have the fan on medium?
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Jub Jub
The slower the air flows over the evaporator coils, the more efficient the heat exchange process is. It should provide slightly cooler air than with the fan on max.
