AC problem, Perplexed.

[stockd15b]

2000 Expy. Manual controls.

Rear AC works like a champ. Front blows not as cold. Could be defined as cool-warm.

Freon amount it correct. AC shop said it needed a pound in which they added. Problem still persist.Blend door functions accordingly,Fresh Air door opperates as should,Blower blows air.

Not sure what else to check.

 

[stamp11127]

Any time I have a vehicle in to be worked on and they don't fix it, that tells me it is time to find a competent shop because they are not up and up. Since they added a pound it is safe to say it has a leak - unless they fixed it and you didn't mention it.

The a/c system in these have two evaps. The front has an orifice tube and the rear has an expansion valve. Since the rear is working fine the problem can only be from a clogged orifice tube, the blend door isn't working correctly - they have a tendency to break at the bottom pivot point, the low side line has a kink in it or the evap is filthy dirty.

You can test the blend door by clamping off the heater hoses so that the heater core doesn't get hot. Run the a/c and see if you are getting colder air out of the vents. If it is colder, then it is a problem with the door. If you have an ir temp gun you can also take readings of the accumulator. I would also check to see if the accumulator is freezing up.

Let me know if you would like some info on a/c operation. I can send you a link that explains it all in very simple terms.

What part of Florida are you in? I spent some time in J'ville and Miami / Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[anthony57]

bump

 

[stockd15b]

It was one of those $10 ac checks at a local shop, so I couldnt complain to much. Just wanted them to diagnose and I fix lol. Blend door does work, cut a little access panel behind the glove box.

I plan on doing the accumulator and orifice tube sometime this week. I'll keep the thread updated.

Im in central FL, smack dab between Daytona and Orlando.

Any time I have a vehicle in to be worked on and they don't fix it, that tells me it is time to find a competent shop because they are not up and up. Since they added a pound it is safe to say it has a leak - unless they fixed it and you didn't mention it.

The a/c system in these have two evaps. The front has an orifice tube and the rear has an expansion valve. Since the rear is working fine the problem can only be from a clogged orifice tube, the blend door isn't working correctly - they have a tendency to break at the bottom pivot point, the low side line has a kink in it or the evap is filthy dirty.

You can test the blend door by clamping off the heater hoses so that the heater core doesn't get hot. Run the a/c and see if you are getting colder air out of the vents. If it is colder, then it is a problem with the door. If you have an ir temp gun you can also take readings of the accumulator. I would also check to see if the accumulator is freezing up.

Let me know if you would like some info on a/c operation. I can send you a link that explains it all in very simple terms.

What part of Florida are you in? I spent some time in J'ville and Miami / Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[stamp11127]

A quick "hands on redneck test" if the front accumulator is getting real cold then the orifice tube may be fine. If not it may be plugged (orifice tube or accumulator) or the line has a restriction.
What are your pressures?

 

[stockd15b]

A quick "hands on redneck test" if the front accumulator is getting real cold then the orifice tube may be fine. If not it may be plugged (orifice tube or accumulator) or the line has a restriction.
What are your pressures?

never did put manifold gauges on it. Just a little DIY guage. which clearly wolnt tell me much. Would a clogged orfice/accumulator show up on the guages with a high side pressure to high seeing as how its a "dual" system?

I'll give it the faithful redneck test tomorrow. I dont drive all that much. Prefer two wheels.

Are you on LR.com by chance? Username looks really familiar.

 

[stamp11127]

Nope, not on LR.com

Never had a dual system with a blocked orifice tube to check the gauge readings to verify, but if it does show then the pressures should be higher than normal. Just don't know how high.
Same idea of 2 garden hoses being fed from the same source. Clamp one off and the pressure will increase in the other as long as there is a restriction.

 

[stockd15b]

Any other Ford forums? I swear that name looks familiar!!

Well accumulator defiantly not getting cold. Low side going to the crimped black hose is cold/sweating. After that crimp nothing. Guessing thats the office tube?

Nope, not on LR.com

Never had a dual system with a blocked orifice tube to check the gauge readings to verify, but if it does show then the pressures should be higher than normal. Just don't know how high.
Same idea of 2 garden hoses being fed from the same source. Clamp one off and the pressure will increase in the other as long as there is a restriction.

 

[stamp11127]

The orifice tube is usually near the condenser and on this gen it is on the driver side - I think.
Since the accumulator is not cold it could be the orifice tube and/or a clogged accumulator. I would recover the system, inspect the orifice tube for what clogged it and go from there. If the compressor is coming apart you will see shavings, if the seals are coming apart it will be the black death. Both are bad unless you have the tools to fix it yourself.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

orifice tube in my 97 expy is in one of the pipes running below the hose going into the drier. there is a connection that has two diff size bolts, with the ac system discharged you can loosen the bolts, disconnect the line and the orifice tube will be in the firewall side hose/pipe lightly grab that with some small pliers to inspect it. be wary of any spilled oil, you may want to have something clean ready to catch that to measure what is lost for replacement on recharge.

they make a tool to extract the tube but I managed to get mine out easily with a small set of pliers, you will pull it out by the red end like in the photo of mine. when you re insert it the white part goes in first unless it magically comes out with the other hose

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

if need be, I will get a picture of the exact connection you need to release after having the system discharged.

 

[stamp11127]

I did some research on the location of the orifice tube. Some say it is by the accumulator while others say it is by the compressor. Either location has one thing in common, it is located on the line from the condenser to the accumulator.

If you find trash has clogged the orifice tube I strongly recommend cleaning the line & condenser with an a/c flush.

Logic is the trash didn't come from the tube, it came from upstream in the system.

 

[stockd15b]

I did some research on the location of the orifice tube. Some say it is by the accumulator while others say it is by the compressor. Either location has one thing in common, it is located on the line from the condenser to the accumulator.

If you find trash has clogged the orifice tube I strongly recommend cleaning the line & condenser with an a/c flush.

Logic is the trash didn't come from the tube, it came from upstream in the system.

still havent had time to mess with it just yet. But all the help is appreciated.

Like i stated in another AC related thread a little bit ago. Now the compressor is making a noise. Hoping its just the clutch bearing.

Out of curiosutiy, would a weak clutch/aramture cause my issues? Unlikely?