A/C blows lukewarm air

[NyackRob79]

Well, my first year with our 2018 Expy Platinum hasn't been too impressive with regards to initial quality. Truck's been to the shop about a dozen times by now. Grinding noise coming from driver side wheel in 2H mode, which required three separate visits to diagnose, was finally repaired as a leaking check valve. Rear hatch close button was replaced twice now. Just over a year since taking delivery, the A/C today is blowing lukewarm air. All four kids in the back complaining. Taking her back tomorrow. Shop told me flat out they don't have loaners. Maybe I'll go with the Navi once the lease is up. One of the selling points was that they drive to your house with the loaner, and drive back to the dealership with your vehicle to have it serviced. Didn't realize how much I'd need this. Will keep you posted once I hear back. Hopefully it's just a small refrigerant leak. Stil, an $83k truck should have a rock-solid A/C system.

 

[stamp11127]

Guess the Ford mechanics don't have to worry about having slow periods anytime in the near future.

 

[hellohithere]

Well, my first year with our 2018 Expy Platinum hasn't been too impressive with regards to initial quality. Truck's been to the shop about a dozen times by now. Grinding noise coming from driver side wheel in 2H mode, which required three separate visits to diagnose, was finally repaired as a leaking check valve. Rear hatch close button was replaced twice now. Just over a year since taking delivery, the A/C today is blowing lukewarm air. All four kids in the back complaining. Taking her back tomorrow. Shop told me flat out they don't have loaners. Maybe I'll go with the Navi once the lease is up. One of the selling points was that they drive to your house with the loaner, and drive back to the dealership with your vehicle to have it serviced. Didn't realize how much I'd need this. Will keep you posted once I hear back. Hopefully it's just a small refrigerant leak. Stil, an $83k truck should have a rock-solid A/C system.

I had the same issue with my 2018 before I even drove it off the lot. Front AC worked fine but rear AC was warm even after 30 minutes of running on maximum. There is a TSB (#18-2293) for this issue. Tech had to clear the refrigerant, replace a hose and rear climate control assembly, then put refrigerant back in. I'm at 3,000 miles now and haven't had any issues.

 

[lbv150]

The best you may get out of the center front vent on these new trucks is 50 degrees. Not like the old systems that were 35-40.

 

[cmiles97]

The best you may get out of the center front vent on these new trucks is 50 degrees. Not like the old systems that were 35-40.

Own a 17 and recently rented a 19. Both are black with black interior. On auto I was suprised at the 19's lack of cold air coming out of the vents even at 78F outside running a 65F setpoint. I had to put in max AC several times to get it to cool down the truck.

The 17 is manual ac with very cold air temp coming out of the vents. Since the dogs leave quite a bit of hair in the back. I bring in outside air even in 90+ humid Alabama summers (was living there when I bought it) so the hair doesn't clog up the ac coils like it would on recirculation or max ac. The 17's AC system handled it just fine. The 19's would not judging from the 2 weeks I had it.

Although the 19's cooled leather seats did help a bit.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Well, my first year with our 2018 Expy Platinum hasn't been too impressive with regards to initial quality. Truck's been to the shop about a dozen times by now. Grinding noise coming from driver side wheel in 2H mode, which required three separate visits to diagnose, was finally repaired as a leaking check valve. Rear hatch close button was replaced twice now. Just over a year since taking delivery, the A/C today is blowing lukewarm air. All four kids in the back complaining. Taking her back tomorrow. Shop told me flat out they don't have loaners. Maybe I'll go with the Navi once the lease is up. One of the selling points was that they drive to your house with the loaner, and drive back to the dealership with your vehicle to have it serviced. Didn't realize how much I'd need this. Will keep you posted once I hear back. Hopefully it's just a small refrigerant leak. Stil, an $83k truck should have a rock-solid A/C system.

I have a 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4, purchased new.

I had the front grinding noise in 2WD, while driving uphill (just before the transmission would downshift, as if the engine was beginning to bog). I made an appointment at my selling dealer and they took five days to tell me nothing was wrong (but didn’t put any miles on the vehicle).

I quickly did an Internet search and found a Ford TSB detailing the problem, with Ford’s instructions to replace the IWE solenoid vacuum check valve.

I bought the $10 valve and installed it myself. Took 5 minutes to do. Even through the vehicle was still covered under the power train warranty and a Ford extended premium warranty, I dd not return to the selling dealer - and quit going there for service and new vehicles.

The wheel grinding must be common, and Ford issued a TSB. It amazes me that the “factory trained technicians” don’t even bother to look for any TSB’s for a specific problem. The service advisors are only worried about trying to sell you something - they don’t care about getting the vehicle fixed right. Pretty sad when the customer can find the official Ford fix for a problem online in two minutes.

Good luck with your issues. I am beyond frustrated with the poor quality of my vehicle and the repeated poor dealer service.

PS - My extended Ford warranty covers a loaner vehicle if the repairs take more than 24 hours. But the dealer said the time starts running when they begin to look at it - not at the time when THEY scheduled an appointment, but were so far behind they could not work on it for five days. I use two child car seats in the second row, and removed them and borrowed a vehicle to use from a family member.

 

[scottdm]

My '18 Limited cools off very quickly with the A/C on max. I'd say within 5 minutes I turn it down since it's starting to get too cold. This is with the vehicle sitting in the sun all day at the office on an 85 degree day with high humidity, so I have no complaints with the A/C.

 

[aggiegrad05]

PS - My extended Ford warranty covers a loaner vehicle if the repairs take more than 24 hours. But the dealer said the time starts running when they begin to look at it - not at the time when THEY scheduled an appointment, but were so far behind they could not work on it for five days. I use two child car seats in the second row, and removed them and borrowed a vehicle to use from a family member.

That’s hooey. Well, while it may be technically correct, your dealer should give you a loaner with the understanding that if nothing is wrong on your vehicle (i.e. if there won’t be any claim for warranty work) you agree to cover the cost of the loaner during the time prior to diagnoses. I have done that multiple times with multiple vehicles (Ford and other manufacturers) at multiple dealers.

Sounds like that dealer just sucks.

 

[MDEVIR]

Have a 2019 Exped Ltd with just over 60K. Yesterday temp was in low 80s, started truck and a/c vent temp was not cold. Looked under hood and all seemed OK, even tried restarting truck. Hour later put thermometer in vent and temp was around 70 F. Took to Autozone and learned about the new refrigerant (1234 something, kit $140 to recharge). AZ tech used gauge on AC port and with system on max AC had only like a 20% charge. Said coolant was fill was low. Based on age of vehicle assuming have a leak in system which needs to be repaired. Decided not to spend $140 on kit and called dealer for apt. On way home duct temp was getting into 60s or at least seemed colder. Any one have ideas on what going on?

 

[Mlarv]

Have a 2019 Exped Ltd with just over 60K. Yesterday temp was in low 80s, started truck and a/c vent temp was not cold. Looked under hood and all seemed OK, even tried restarting truck. Hour later put thermometer in vent and temp was around 70 F. Took to Autozone and learned about the new refrigerant (1234 something, kit $140 to recharge). AZ tech used gauge on AC port and with system on max AC had only like a 20% charge. Said coolant was fill was low. Based on age of vehicle assuming have a leak in system which needs to be repaired. Decided not to spend $140 on kit and called dealer for apt. On way home duct temp was getting into 60s or at least seemed colder. Any one have ideas on what going on?

If refrigerant was low that is your problem. When your are driving the compressor works better and it will produce colder air. While sitting the compressor works less because the RPM's are low so the air is not as cold.

 

[MDEVIR]

Understand a/c works poorly cooling when charge is low, my question is where did charge go? Dealer called and confirmed charge very low, no visual leak he could see, so going to recharge with the new expensive refrigerant and add dye. Cost est at $560. Going to run for bit and possibly use black light to look for leak. Presume this will require another trip to dealer once leaks out in future to determine where leaking. See

 

[lbv150]

$560 to recharge???...expensive refrigerant??? bahaha. Cans of R134 are $4.95 at Walmart, takes maybe 3-4 cans. Set of gauges less than $100. Too bad you don't live near me, I would charge you Tree fiddy. LOL Seriously, go to a trusted local shop if you don't want to do it yourself. That dealer is raking you. Best find a knowledgeable friend or guy that works out of his house. I just did a Tahoe for someone charged him $50 including labor. AC Stop leak works wonders too. Cost about $25 for the kit, my 2004 Expy took 2 kits/cans of sealer and has been good now for a few years. O rings and develop a leak as can swagged hose ends. The R134 leaks out over time. Stop Leak should fix it.

 

[lbv150]

This stuff really works: https://www.amazon.com/Interdynamic...ocphy=9003316&hvtargid=pla-569984891691&psc=1

 

[MDEVIR]

Just to update post, the coolant is the new 1234 stuff ($150 kit at AZ) and not the older stuff. After charge vent temp is 40 to 42 F after about 10 min in 89F outside. Not happy about the $567 dealer fee, and no leak solved, but now dye in system to find leak, hopefully.

 

[MDEVIR]

Following up on earlier A/C issue. Been about 2 weeks and A/C discharge is getting warmer - presume charge is leaking out. Dealer added dye to system, so have apt for them to inspect for the leak and determine next steps. Presume this dealer trip will be more dollars than last if they can find the leak and cost of new parts, labor and then recharge of system. Again my 2019 has the 1234yf which is different fittings than the R134a. Is this the best path forward to resolve my A/C issue? 1st A/C issue of about 4 Expys.

 

[Mlarv]

If there is a leak then you need to find it. I would take it to a local shop if there is one around you, most of the time they are cheaper.

 

[MDEVIR]

Update on my 2019 Exp issue - since dye was in system found leak in line to rear evaporator. On the welded fitting. Ordered parts awaiting call back. Estimated repair cost since the new coolant $1500!

 

[KSC 2019 XLT]

Update on my 2019 Exp issue - since dye was in system found leak in line to rear evaporator. On the welded fitting. Ordered parts awaiting call back. Estimated repair cost since the new coolant $1500!

MDevir: Was your $1500 repair covered under manuf warranty (I hope so)?? Having A/C issues with my 2019 Expy as well.

 

[lawrencejnc]

Just had the same evaporator issue with my 2019 Max. After having to fill the freon and put dye in it ($800), I just got quoted $1800 to fix the evaporator. Is Ford doing anything about these? Is there a campaign or TSB I should know about?

 

[KSC 2019 XLT]

Just had the same evaporator issue with my 2019 Max. After having to fill the freon and put dye in it ($800), I just got quoted $1800 to fix the evaporator. Is Ford doing anything about these? Is there a campaign or TSB I should know about?

For a 2019, are you over the 36 months/36,000 mile warranty period? It should be under warranty (I hope).