102 Farenheit and no AC!

[Forrest in CT]

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of discovering that my AC was not working. After an oil change at Valvoline, the salesperson asked if I wanted my freon recharged for about $125.

Is this something I would be able to do myself for a lot less? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Connect a manifold gauge to the low side port to see if there is pressure in the line. It might be a little low on freon. You could add a few ounces yourself for a lot less money.

 

[Kevlar7R]

There are a LOT of reasons why your AC might not be working. Check the simple things first... Fuses and electrical connections. If those are all good, get a can of the no-tools freon charge. They usually run about 20 bucks. Odds are one can won't be enough to completely charge it, but would be enough to tell you if the system works.

Start the engine, Turn the AC on max, fan on high, and hook it up to the low side port (Up near the firewall, passenger side). Follow the directions on the can to fill. If the problem was low freon, it will start cycling, but not really blow cold air.

If this happens, keep slowly adding until the tubes right below the port start getting condensation on them. Don't add too much or it will not blow cold again. It could take 20 minutes and maybe as much as 2 and a half cans to add it. Don't go too fast.

If you put in the whole can, and the compressor doesn't fire up, then you have a bigger problem. There is your $20 Diagnosis.

Do that, then come back and tell us what happens.

 

[Forrest in CT]

Thanks for the response, Brooklyn. After a bit more research on the matter of recharging the freon, I've found that I need to do even more research before really messing with it.

Thanks, Kevlar. I'll try to get to the store tomorrow and check it out.

 

[EricM9104]

If you have a Bi-Mart in your area, you can get a simple r-134a charge kit. $37 here, hooked it up, told me I was low on r-134a, filled it up and works great.

 

[YBCold]

try refilling its not too hard. otherwise it might be a more costly job.

 

[Forrest in CT]

I finally got around to stopping at Autozone and I ended up picking up a Quest ReChill Kit for around $50. I'm now having trouble with the directions though, because I can't find the parts they are referring to under the hood.

I've searched for the low-pressure service port everywhere, starting off by following whichever A/C lines I could find. No luck.

Does anyone have any clear photos of where it would be on a 1998 4.0L SOHC? Thanks.

 

[Forrest in CT]

Well, I found the valve and went ahead and started the process. Then I ran into a problem. I over-tightened the gauge onto the can and broke the threaded area causing the can to leak all over the place.. I'm hoping I can return/exchange it as a defective item.

 

[BrianDye]

I went to Murrays, before I knew anything about AC and Freon and whatnot, and he got me an accesory that has the pressure gauge on there, tells me the PSI, and has 4 different color zones, for low, full, warning, and over.

I wanna say it was about 12$ and then I just connect the freon cans to it which are only about $9, ive used it on about 4 different vehicles now

 

[Forrest in CT]

So I exchanged the broken kit for an EZChill kit and was able to set it up no problem. I may have filled it up just a tad too much though because the needle just barely crossed the line from green to yellow.

Now my AC is still not blowing out cold air, but my truck began to idle oddly afterwards. I will try to upload a video with sound that I took.

 

[Forrest in CT]

Here is a video of the engine idling after adding r-134a to the a/c unit.

I point out the valve that I believe to be the low pressure valve because I seemed to have been able to fit the gauge on it.

Anyone have any idea why the engine is revving the way it is in the video?

Apologies for the poor sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSmwKrMV9Q

 

[mr2fix2it]

your ac is still low on freon the compressor is cycling way to fast and dont run long enough from the looks of the picture you sent that truck need a receiver dryer its all rusty and its a common problem on these trucks if your going to change it you need to add refrigerant oil to it

 

[Forrest in CT]

My truck seems to only idle like that when the a/c or max a/c is on. Otherwise it is fine.

I also noticed that the two fan looking type things near the firewall seems to be screwy. Looks like the one on the passenger side is working but the one on the driver side is not.

Should I perhaps check my fuses associated with the a/c system?

 

[mr2fix2it]

it a low charge doing it its working the way it should but needs more freon

 

[Forrest in CT]

Thanks for the response mr2fix2it. I'll try adding more now then.

 

[Forrest in CT]

I've added the rest of the can following your advice mrfixit. While it's not blowing out cold air yet, it is now blowing out cool air.

I am worried about putting anymore in because of what the gauge tells me. When the compressor is spinning, which is only for a little longer than what it was doing in the video, the gauge reads about 30 psi for a moment, but then climbs up to over 80 when the compressor isn't spinning. It hovers at 80-85 but looks like it would continue to climb if the compressor doesn't kick in.

 

[Forrest in CT]

A/C is working again

I added the second can and now have nice cold air coming out and the gauge reading about 35psi.

For something so simple, I sure had some issues doing this.

I still don't understand why my gauge was reading so high, especially during the second can. It went way into the red zone, almost 150psi, but once the compressor started running nonstop, the gauge started reading a lower psi level.

Thanks to all who offered input and advice!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!

 

[BrianDye]

Correct me if im wrong someone, but doesnt the PSI when the AC's off have something todo with the temperature outside?

When I had asked about charging my 92's, someone said something about the PSI when the AC's off should be about what the outside temp is?

That could have been why it was reading so high, or maybe im just retarted :