Damn its hot in here !

[jcarter]

Hey guys I have a problem and looking for some input. My air conditioning is not working anymore. I am unable to here the compressor kick in as it normally does when I push the a/c button and it blows warm air. So does anyone have any suggestions on where I should start?? Any tips on how to trouble shoot this problem ? Thanks

 

[Robb]

First would be to check (or have checked) the coolant charge.

 

[jcarter]

are you saying that if my a/c system has a low charge the compressor will NOT kick in at all regardless of how many times I push the button ?

 

[Rhett]

check the a/c pressure switch too

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by jcarter
are you saying that if my a/c system has a low charge the compressor will NOT kick in at all regardless of how many times I push the button ?

Yes, there is an inline "low pressure" limit switch that won't allow the compressor to come on if the charge is too low.

 

[jcarter]

Well the system hasn<t been touched since new and its a 93 so....it must still be R12, should I get a shop to charge it for me or attempt it myself,,,is there anyway I can check the pressure myself....I bet I need a set of gauges right ?

 

[Robb]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe sometime in '93 was when Ford made the switch to R134A. If memory serves, some 93s are R12, some are R134A. There should be a sticker under the hood that tells you which you have. Either way, you should end up putting 134 in it. If your X is already 134, just pick up a cheap recharge kit at WalMart. If it is R12, do some research here on converting it, there are quite a bit of threads on the subject. The Environmental Idiots have make R12 worth its weight in gold for no reason.

Gauges aren't really needed, BUT they are a good investment and make the job easier and more precise. I would suggest picking up a set.

 

[Fhantazm]

If it turns out that you are stuck with R12, theres an "environmentally friendly" r12 substitute called "Hotshot" which works remarkebly well. Thats whats in mine right now, and the damn thing blows snow.

 

[jcarter]

Fhantazm....thats music to my ears....because as it turns out...the four shops that I called said pay to convert to R134 or we cannot help you....WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFO ON THIS HOT SHOT ? does it come in a do it yourself can ? thanks for the info....thanks to EVERYONE for their input.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Blends can be a no-no from what I have heard, but I don't have any experiance with them.

Best thing to do is find out why it leaked out, convert to 134a, and in your conversion process fix the leak.

Read through this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77331

and talk to Glacier991. Chris really know his A/C cold. (pun intended)

Also, a great place for A/C questions is http://www.aircondition.com/wwwboard

 

[Glacier991]

Thanks Aaron for the kind words.

Blends. Let's talk about them.

There are some blends that, in my belief, in time will become accepted. A Ton of em are rotten. Hey they are refrigerants and they work so what's the big deal? Well a couple of issues. First. Fractionalization. What's that?
It's the tendency for a blend to try and revert to it's component parts. The more volatile can leak away leaving the less desirable. Next is oil miscability. Not all refrigerant carries oil well. Some of the blends have a volatile component designed to be the carrier... hmmm if THAT leaks away... go figure THAT one out - no oil, no compressor. Others simply do a poorer job of carrying oil than 134a. And WHICH oil is always a question. Varying blends do better with differing oils.

Finally... if you use a blend, most shops do not want to fool with the system. Because they didn't do the work and want to punish you? No, because by law THEY have to reclaim the refrigerant, and a blend is VERY expensive to dispose of, they cannot reuse it. Simple as that.

Watch out for exxagerated claims on blends. If it sounds too true to be good, it is. If blends were so great why did R-12 remain the choice for so long?

food for thought...

Happy exploring.

Chris

 

[sleeprae]

If you use Hot Shot (R-414b) you must remember several things. First, it's very very easy to overcharge with 414B. Second, you must use barrier hoses, as the refrigerant will destroy a plain rubber hose. We've used 414B in one of our work trucks. It blows very cold air, as 414B is actually more efficient than R-12 (but does suffer from fractionalization).

Here lately, we've been trying out RB-276 (Free Zone) with -excellent- results. Very efficient, doesn't require larger condensers like 134A does, doesn't require barrier hoses, operates at lower pressures (which requires an adjustment on your low pressure switch, but is easier on the components and is more efficient). It doesn't contain butane, isobutane, or propane. It doesn't fractionalize, so you can top off a low system without any worries. It contains 2% synthetic oil, which further aids lubrication. It works with any oil, so you don't have to try to get the old stuff out to convert. So far, it seems like a very good deal.

At this point, I'd be more willing to convert an old R-12 system to RB-276 vs. 134A or even 414B.

 

[jcarter]

Thanks everyone for all the input. greatly appreciated....It does not look I can get my hands on some of these blends we are talking about here and perhaps thats a good idea based on some of the comments here, but I did find out that Duracool is an Alberta Canada based company and their product is readily available to me...I think its a little different being a hydrocarbon based refrigerant...does anyone have any comments on this type of substitute. www.duracool.coom

 

[Glacier991]

jc... I think sleeprae's post was excellent on the issue of blends. Like I said they are not as a group all bad, but we are all still learning. His setup is a perfect lab. They have a fleet, have the tools and expertise to know what works and what doesn't , what to replace and modify and are, I am sure, still learning along the way.

In the general world with a single car, few DIY'ers will have that level of knowledge and/or tools to do it right. PLus, once you have gone to a blend, good luck ever finding a shop to touch it. For sleeprae that could matter less, for you or whoever you sell your car it might matter a lot!

I read the duracool site with some interest. Me, no way I will use a flammable refrigerant. And if you think a blend sends commercial shops through the roof, you should hear the siren on the tester when it senses a flammable component! No thanks.

Happy exploring

Chris