97 explorer air conditioning - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

jackieexplorer · 07-10-2005, 11:03

hello. my ac is not acting "cool" enough, and i want to try and add r134 stuff to the system if that is the problem. where is the low pressure tap? is it the one on the black steel bottle that has three lines going in to it? thanks

rollis2 · 10-15-2005, 16:49

If you are not experienced in air conditioning, I would not recommend adding the 134. Expecially if it is already cooling. Too much is as bad if not worse than not enough. Your really need a set of gauges to see what both pressures are. You may have a friend that has the gauges and the experience to check and or fill the a/c.

Freshmeat · 10-15-2005, 16:57

All my local A/C shops do free inspections. Look into that before you tear into anything- if you slip up, you can actually make it worse... especially if you overpressurize the system.

I do nearly all my work myself... but I don't touch a charged A/C.

Toppa Tom · 10-15-2005, 20:23

If the quart sized steel "bottle" is very cold you probably have enough freon.
In park, rev the engine slightly (1200 rpm) with the AC on medium - if the clutch on the AC compressor is not cycling off faster than about once every 8 seconds you probably have enough freon.
If you can touch the line going into the cab and the line coming out (to the "bottle") and they seem to be the same temperature you DO have enough freon.
The AC system cycles the clutch off when the low side gets down near 35 psia because that pressure will make it cool; if you have enough freon.
If you are low on freon the system cycles the cluch fast or keeps it off because the pressure is low to start with.
I have never put too much freon in because I never put ANY in unless I'm sure it is low. Too much can do some big buck damage.
The system cools best when it just barely enough freon.
If you do add freon - add only 1/4 can and then see if the "bottle" is cooler - if it is not cooler, STOP.

Freshmeat · 10-16-2005, 06:37

That's good advice, Toppa Tom. I'm gonna have to remember that next time I have trouble (after I get all the O-rings replaced and the system recharged...)