RC Martin
Joined:
Mar 2006
Colorado
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06-30-2015, 04:30 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2015, 04:34 AM by RC Martin.)
My AC was converted to R134a about 8 years ago (no way to verify?) and has blown cold ever since. Then last week we got some 100 degree weather and it's been in the 90s since, and it seems like my AC is dead. With AC on it's lukewarm air instead of hot blowing through the vents with the AC off. Couldn't find any leaks and no blown off caps on the valves on the AC lines. The cold line coming off the accumulator was sweating despite the lukewarm air, so I think the system is working but fighting a losing battle. The AC clutch seems to cycle normally.
I'm wondering if it's just the extreme heat and/or heat soak? If I put a heat wrap on the AC lines will that help, if so what wrap is best?
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti. 1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
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TurboBoost88
Joined:
Nov 2011
Owensboro KY
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I think the only true way of seeing how the system is doing would be hooking up a set of manifold gauges, and see where the pressures are at. It could just need a ounce or two of freon added. You can get a/c insulation tape on ebay if you want to wrap the lines.
88 TurboCoupe,Midnight Metallic Blue on Blue cloth, 140 m.p.h. speedo, 96,000 miles, 5spd. Gills valve, many new parts waiting to be installed..88 TC, Silver, 5spd, My first car, wish I still had that one! Built for customers: 67 Ford Fairlane,69 Mach I,70 Mach I Clone,95 Ranger 2.3/5.0 EFI Conversion,99 Cobra Procharger SC-1 Install/Tune,Factory Five Racing Mark III Cobra #4114,1955 Black on Black Thunderbird for local Ford Dealer owner's wife.
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Jeff K
Joined:
Apr 2001
Milwaukee, WI
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Do you have EATC or manual HVAC?
Jeff Korn
88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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RC Martin
Joined:
Mar 2006
Colorado
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07-01-2015, 03:49 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-01-2015, 03:50 AM by RC Martin.)
Manual!
I have never touched the AC system. It used to work but poorly, then I had it converted to R134a, then it worked great for many years until the other day when it got extremely hot. Would it be safe to try one of the R134 refresh kits form wally world?
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti. 1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
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Jeff K
Joined:
Apr 2001
Milwaukee, WI
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First of all, NEVER attempt to recharge an AC system without manifold gauges to read both the low and high side pressures and knowing what the pressures mean. Very likely you will do more harm than good by just randomly adding refrigerant. Dont believe the crap you see on TV where some numb nuts buys a can of 134a with a cheap inaccurate gauge (low side only) and magically has ice cold air.
If the system is in fact low on refrigerant, that means you have a leak that needs to be fixed.
Reason I asked about manual or EATC.... Are you sure the blend door is going to the full cold position when you slide the lever to cold?
Are you sure the radiator cooling fan is working and is up to the task? A R12 system converted to 134a used with the original condenser requires heavy duty airflow over the condenser in hot weather to work properly.
Jeff Korn
88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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RC Martin
Joined:
Mar 2006
Colorado
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The OE rad fan seems to drop the pressure quick on the rad, I tested years ago with an IR temp gun.
Is there a way to check the blend door? I suspected that too but don't know how to check. Years ago, I had an issue where the AC was being routed through the defrost vents because a vac line came loose...
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti. 1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
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Jeff K
Joined:
Apr 2001
Milwaukee, WI
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Blend door is cable operated. You would need to pull the radio, HVAC controls and have a look at the cable to be sure it is connected properly at each end and runs the blend door thru its full range of motion.
Jeff Korn
88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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RC Martin
Joined:
Mar 2006
Colorado
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Got it. Do you have any suggestions for AC trouble shooting and/or learning? All I have is my Haynes manual.
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti. 1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
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Jeff K
Joined:
Apr 2001
Milwaukee, WI
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To do any troubleshooting of the actual AC system you need a set of manifold gauges. HF has a 134a set for around $50. If the system needs to be opened for any reason, it must be evacuated with a good vacuum pump. No clue on sourcing a reasonable cost vac pump.....l built my own 30 years ago from stuff they were throwing out at work. As far as learning about troubleshooting, I would guess you will get a million hits on Google.
Jeff Korn
88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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KL Frye
Joined:
Sep 2014
Western PA
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I just had mine open yesterday to replace the old o rings with the new green r134a pieces.
You can get a good vac pump and manifold gauges at harbor freight. Vac pump was under 20 and gauges were about 50. Only thing is you will
Either need a big tank of 134 or hook up with the small
Cans and charge hose and check with the manifold gauges afterward.
The plastic spring loaded disconnect tools worked for me.
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