A/C questions

[elrynon]

This is for a 2000 ford explorer eddie bauer with R-134a refrigerant.

I'm getting ready to replace all the O-rings on my ac system because I have a leak on the back of the compressor and one on the hi tubing. A few questions I have are am I ok just replacing the o-rings and being done with it (as long as there aren't anymore leaks anywhere) or do I NEED to replace anything else?

I've spent about 2 days reading posts about a/c repair and talking to multiple people and now I'm on information overload. Some people say to replace the accumulator and orifice tube as well and some people say just replace the o-rings and be done with it. Another note is when I pop the hoses off to replace all the o-rings what is the likelihood that I'll be losing oil for the system? There's no refrigerant in the system as it's all leaked out. I have just seen people talk about needing to put oil back in and once again some people saying just replace the o-rings and go.

I'm also curious to those who have torn into the system is it JUST o-rings or are there seals as well? I looked on autozone and depending on where you search you get a different answer. On one page it just shows o-ring kits but on some other pages there are kits with o-rings AND seals. All I had "planned" on doing was where everything connects together. Ends of hoses, etc.

And lastly once I get this all done and I take it into a shop to get it vacuumed and then recharged what's the best order to get it tested to make sure I got all the leaks and did everything right? Can they do a vacuum test of some sort first? Or will they have to vacuum it, fill it, test it, if there's a leak empty it again and start over from scratch.

I appreciate any help in my a/c endeavor. If anymore info is needed then by all means ask and I'll give whatever info I can.

 

[Snowboi]

Most people would just replace the o-rings, its not that easy to replace them all, but its do-able. I mean, unless you find that a line is cracked while your changing the o-rings, I see no reason to replace anythng else.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

You might think all the coolant has leaked out, but leaky o-rings usually arent complete failures. Instead they seep under pressure until its low enough to reseal. There might be a suprise burst of coolant and oil when you pull apart the lines. I would generally only replace the items you know to be faulty since you dont want to inadvertently cause a new leak somewhere else and end up chasing those down later.

If there was no oil lost from your leaks (it leaves a stain or trail like any other oil) and it doesnt blow out when you disconnect lines, then there is no reason to add unless you hear the compressor bogging when charging. The techs who are servicing your system should figure it out.

An a/c vacuum and charge takes close to an hour. The usual method is pull 22-30 bars for twenty minutes, turn pump off and let system sit for at least half an hour. Then connect refrigerant to the low side and pull in correct weight of coolant. If the meter wont hold steady after stopping the vacuum pump then there is a leak somewhere (although its darn near impossible to locate at this point) and the shop be honest and tell you they cannot proceed.

 

[russelgene]

1999 Explorer

I am having trouble with the ac on my explorer. this is what is happening.
it blows very cold at idle, but soon as you give it any gas it looses its chill.
I do have A/C gauges and my low pressure shows about 42psi, and my high shows about 245psi, but I still do not know what is wrong. Does anyone know what the problem might be.

 

[bobflood]

I am having trouble with the ac on my explorer. this is what is happening.
it blows very cold at idle, but soon as you give it any gas it looses its chill.
I do have A/C gauges and my low pressure shows about 42psi, and my high shows about 245psi, but I still do not know what is wrong. Does anyone know what the problem might be.

The is a "wide open throttle (WOT)" relay that cuts off the compressor at wide open throttle. This could be defective and cutting off compressor with any throttle applied.

 

[russelgene]

1999 Explorer

Maybe so, but I can hold the throttle at 2000 rpms while I am watching the compressor and it is staying on.Could it be a filter that is clogged?

 

[budwich]

blend door is "wandering" cause its broken.... wandering between hot and cold. lots of posts on fixing it in various ways from full replacement (tough) to modification (easier).

 

[deweyville65]

At 2000 RPM you are noways near WOT unless you are pulling a load up a steep grade.