Non Trifive A/C question

[737Pilot]

My 99 f-150's A/C isn't blowing really cold anymore. If I buy one of those recharge kits from Autozone, do you think that'll help? I know this is a general A/C question without much info, but it does get cold after a good 15 or more minutes. Any ideas without taking it to an A/C guy?


(I know it's a ford, but I am actually thinking of buying one of those new camaros.....! Need to go test drive one.)

[Rick_L]

"I am actually thinking of buying one of those new camaros.....!"

Let's see, you're thinking of spending the money to buy a new car, but you don't want to spend any money on your present a/c system? And you live in Texas and you have a job? Having a/c is one reason I work.

The first thing I'd do is just get it diagnosed and repaired.

I know lots of folks who would do just what you're proposing. The difference is most of them would just do it and not ask. A small charge may fix it. Chances of something negative happening are relatively rare, but BP said that too.

A better thing to do if you want to do it yourself is to buy or even borrow a set of a/c gauges and learn how to diagnose the system using them. Then you can make a more intelligent call on what needs to be done.

As a general statement, a system low on charge will cool when first operated, then the performance drops off. Or it never cools enough (which may be your problem).

One other aspect of doing a recharge without gauges is you may have a high pressure problem, and you may make it worse - which can also be a safety problem if you can't monitor pressure.

[Randy 57]

Hey once you get yours fixed come do my 98 Expedition, it hasn't worked in years! Needs a new compressor.

I get your point about not wanting to spend to much on it if you are getting rid of it for a new Camaro. Kind of feel the same the estimate is half of what mine is worth.....

[auggie56]

Low freon level means low oil circulation, means lack of lubrication to the compressor. You have a leak somewhere in the system. It's likely a recharge might help in the shot term, or even make the leak more apparent.

[100%Chevy]

Last summer,a guy came by with a Ford Crown Victoria.
Wanted me to check his a/c,so I put the guages on it and the high side pressure was over 500!
The car had an electric cooling fan and it wasn't working,so the pressure went up too.
Lots of reasons for one to not cool.
If you put freon in it,wear some safety glasses and gloves!
Or put it on Craig's List with the usual disclaimer:

"A/C works good-just needs some freon!"

Mike.:)