my AC just stopped getting cold one day, the compressor looks like its working, can freon just go out on a 3 yr old vehicle with 57000 miles?

 

No, it cannot since it never had Freon in it in the first place. Freon has not been used since 1993 in Ford vehicles.

 

sweet. you win the smart *** award today....I guarantee you wouldnt be as tough in person...anybody with a non stupid *** response, chime in, thanks

 

If the compressor is indeed turning then you have gas in the system. Might be the blend door stuck. If you turn to vent does it get hot? I agree that smart azz responses are not necessary but that seems to be getting more common around here. Try FordF150.net.

 

Check air flow thru front of radiator and condensor. Poor air flow will cause the compressor to cycle faster because of heat. Culprits could be a weak fan clutch or dust build up in the condensor coil.

 

Oh, wow.

 

R134a is not considered Freon? I'm pretty sure it is. Now its not a CFC (R12) but HFC (R134a), however its still Freon like R12.

and @ orginal poster -

The A/C system has a designed leak. Basically freon is meant to leak out over a period of time. The reason for this is that the refregerant inside the compressor actually carrys the oil that is used to lube the internals of the compressor. There are also seals on the compressor that can get dry and allow freon to escape (ie. Front seal). Once the freon carrying oil escapes the oil actually lubricates the seal and causes it to swell, stopping the leak. Its not uncommon for a system to looks a few ounces to even a pound in a year, although ounces is more common. If you never have had the trucks freon system charged then I would say its probably low enough that the clutch isnt engaging causing warm air to come out the vents.

Its not so much that the truck has 57k miles, its more that its 3 years old its normal it needs recharged. Thats not a bad thing as R134a is about 12-15 bucks a pound and the labor to have it done by a professional is probably about $50-100...

 

Uh, no. Guess again.

Nonsense. A sealed refrigerant system with proper barrier hoses and fittings should hold its charge indefinitely, usually until something fails or wears out. As an example,my almost 14-year old F150 with 189K miles has never been recharged since it left the factory. My 13-year old Conturd has never been recharged since I bought it in 99. It now has 190K on it. Both will freeze your butt out on a hot day.

Of course, it's rare for a Ford's spring lock fittings and O-rings to last that long...

 

Ok so then what is freon and what is R134a? Also LMAO @ holding the charge indefinitely. You sir are miss informed or dont live in an area that is hot and dry. I find this funny as anywhere you buy R12, R134a the company calls them both Freon maybe everyone just calls them freon because everyone was use to it with R12?

 

As a generic term to we people that are not pros, Freon is an acceptable term to any kind of refridgerant except amonia. there is no problem by simply callinf it freon, as we all know what the OP's intended question is.

I would go to the parts store and buy to 12 oz cans of the 134A that have the connecter built on the can, and put them in. If you have acsess to gauges, I would just about bet you need more like 36 oz, but I would be affraid to put that much in blind.

 

thanks everyone with non smart *** replies...ill start cheap and add FREON...and go from there

 

ok - freon is a generic term

regaurdless of which REFRIGERANT is used (check the labels) it should NOT be leaking, EPA rules do not require reporting of such small systems with leaks but if you have to put in more then one can(12 oz) then have your system UV checked for leaks and fix them - you will be constantly adding more if you don't and as soon as air gets into the system it will need to be reclaimed and evacuated then recharged properly - this will cost you

this is how i make money

 

Can you say? fluorochlorohydrocarbons

That is Freon for anyone that may not know.