Air Conditioner Problem

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PDA CPA

PDA CPA

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
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Location
Tampa, FL
2002 Sporttrac 135k miles.



My wife is waiting on my son in the Sporttrac. Motor running and Air Conditioner running. She hears a loud whishing sound and sees what she thinks is water vapors coming out from under the hood.



She shuts it down and calls me thinking that the truck overheated. Some guy tells her the radiator leaked.



I get there and the radiator is cooled and open it up and its full of fresh green fluids (just had a flush done about a month ago). No water anywhere.



I check the gauges, all seems fine. Turn the motor and fires right up and all is working fine. Sit for a few and realize the Air Conditioner is blowing fine, but not cold air.



Any ideas on what would have let go and what to look for? In Florida in the heat of the summer air conditioner repairs go through the roof.



Thanks guys.



 
Although you'll probably have to do a compression check, you should look through all your AC fittings, evaporator, and condensor for oil. When the freon leaks out it usually brings oil along with it.
 
Chances are the compressor is no longer spinning due to low pressure. You can force it to turn by jumping the low pressure switch. Based on the fact she saw what she thought was steam, you will see the vapor leak from whatever went bad once the compressor spins and compresses the remaining A/C refrigerant.



Do this soon as you will not have ANY refrigerant left in the very near future. If you get to this point, you will have to purchase a do it your self refill kit and attempt to charge the system. You will then find the leak as it is NOT a small one based on your wife seeing the fumes..
 
Chances are that you blew a hose so more than likely all the refrigerant is gone. Good news is hat this should be very easy to spot...look for the oily spot
 
the AC seemed to be operating normal right after and we have had zero issues with it since buying the Trac new in 2002. My guess was a hose. Will look for the oily spot.



In the event it is not that, what should I look at to know if the compressor has failed?
 
Now I'm confused...did the ac blow cold air out of the vents after the incident or no? The way I understand it now is that there is no cold air coming out of the vents.
 
Sitting still, Hot day, the High side builds its highest pressure its ever going to. I am betting on a hose also that was just barely hanging on. Look for a split in the high pressure hose, and for the tell tale oily mess around it.
 
High pressure refrigerant released from the relief valve on the compressor. Used to happen frequently on an old Escort I used to have. Ford dealer said that condenser cooling was undersized for such high load at high temperature and idling. Moving down the road forces more air through the condensor coil, so the pressure doesn't build up as high. You will need to vacuum it down and weigh in the proper charge of refrigerant.
 
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I checked it today and found no oily mess. I looked at all the hoses and did not see any that were visibly ruptured or anything. That being said, I agree with L1tech and Dave with the hose. Especially based on how it happened.



Thanks for the information as I am taking it in tomorrow for the repair, but wanted to have some knowledge and "guide" them as opposed to saying it just broke and the repair bill goes through the roof.
 
If you have a big lots store around. They sell the same 134A for $8 a 12oz can. Parts stores $15 and more. 2 cans you should be able to find the leak.



Or if you have access to compressed nitrogen. about a 200 psi charge should expose the leak.



Mix up some dish soap and water in a squirt bottle. That will show the leak in case you cant see or hear it.
 
If it was the high pressure relief valve on the compressor that vented then the cooling fan clutch needs to be checked. If it doesn't lock properly at idle it can casue the high side pressure to climb to the point that the relief valve does it's job.
 
Just spoke to the mechanic. According to him the Manifold Hose needs to be replaced in addition to the accumulator, an orifice tube, and then a recharge of the system. At the price of $995.



This sounds outrageous to me. I am searching prices of the parts to get a feel, but would appreciate any thoughts from you guys.



Thanks!
 
If you can wrench. Find the best price and replace them yourself. You may have to buy the disconect tools for the some of the fittings. Be sure to replace all o-rings.

IMO you will save half or more in cost. Shops always charge list price for parts. Sometimes thats double of your price. List on AC parts are outragous. Thats how shops make their most $$.

Find a shop that will give you the best price to evacuate and charge it up.

If you lived by me. I could do that for you. I have the vacuum pump and gauges.

And the non-certified knowledge..LOL..been trained by those that do..
 

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