Strange A/C problem

[theven7]

Hello all. I tried an extensive search through the forums and I couldn't find an instance in which someone had the exact same problem I do. Let me preface by saying that I have checked the pressure on the low side of my A/C system and it's at 45, which is nominal from what I have read. The problem is that, when my Explorer is at idle (say at a red light or something), the A/C doesn't cool very well at all. However, when I accelerate (driving down the road), it's ice cold. The A/C also works very well when I increase the idle RPMs (give it a little gas) when parked or stopped. I'm just perplexed on this issue and, before I get my @$$ handed to me by a A/C shop, I just wanted to see if any of the experts here could help me out. Thanks it advance, and yes, I will become an Elite Explorer soon!

 

[gijoecam]

It's probably the cooling fan clutch not fully locking when the engine gets warm. Because the cooling fan isn't moving enough air at idle, the condenser isn't dissipating the heat well enough, causing the warm AC. Start moving, and you move more air across the condenser coil, and it gets cooler again.

Two solutions I see here: 1) Replace the fan clutch. 2) Ditch the mechanical fan and replace it with an electric fan. The e-fan will also be tied into the AC, so when it cycles, the e-fan will also come on. That'll move maximum air across the radiator/condenser when the AC is on, and keep it icy cold even at a stop light. My F-150 is equipped with a Flex-a-lite kit, and it's awesome!

(A side-benefit is that it also frees-up a few ponies since it's not driving an extra 10 lbs of rotating mass)

-Joe

 

[theven7]

Alrighty

I don't know if I'm ready to drop the kinda cheese it takes to do the electric fan thing. It sounds like a great idea, though, and I probably will at some point in the future. If I went the route of changing out the fan clutch, how involved is that? I see the part is only like $60, but I took a look this afternoon and that's a tight little space, so I don't know how hard it would be. Thanks for the expertise, by the way.