2003 Ford E350 A\C help.....

[buddy]

OK need some input here.... Being the only mechanic right now I'm kinda pushed to the limits working on Street - water - PD -FD - Comm.labor - sewer - meter reading vech...if you know what I mean:headache:

Anyway 03 Ford E350 5.4L mtr A\C system..Front & rear air

R\R A\C comp. Rec.dryer orfice tube expanison valve basic A\C kit...

Flush system

Pulled vacuum 1hr

oil charge & Freon system full

R\R radiator Clutch fan weak not pulling enough air

Gauge reading

low side reading - needle steady 50 - 60

high side reading 350- 450 even higher - needle jumping

system running high on both sides? not cooling at all when having these high reading?

getting plenty of air flow across the rad. system

heat gun reading

radiator 175-180F

Condensioner 155-160F

engine 196F

when I run water across the rad. & con the system comes back down to these readings

low 40-50

high 200-250

A\C system starts working fine

for a short while and then climbs back up?

So what am I over looking or missing here..

Input please........

[flb_78]

How are the fins on the condenser? You may need to pull it and the radiator and have them cleaned. Running water through them sometimes isn't enough. You may try blowing through the fins with a blow gun off your air line, just be sure to hit them straight on so you don't fold the fins over.

 

Also check between the condenser and radiator. That's a favorite hiding spot for leaves and other trash.

[Mikey]

Buddy,I've been repairing auto A/C at my shop here in Tampa for 35 years. It's been my experience that when you have high readings on both sides it's almost always a restricted condenser. And for some reason most of the plugged condeners I've replaced over the years have been on Fords. A restricted condenser is like a restricted radiator,you can flush and back flush it all you want but you're wasting your time. Good luck. Mike

[MasterGuns]

Buddy,I've been repairing auto A/C at my shop here in Tampa for 35 years. It's been my experience that when you have high readings on both sides it's almost always a restricted condenser. And for some reason most of the plugged condeners I've replaced over the years have been on Fords. A restricted condenser is like a restricted radiator,you can flush and back flush it all you want but you're wasting your time. Good luck. Mike

 

Not much of an auto a/c guy, but my 2001 Ford F150 was doing something very similiar. Truck has just had some front end repair at a body shop done and replacing the condensor was one of the items replaced. Of course, they had to recharge the system. Problem: Freon filled to way, way over capacity, how much overfilled, is anyone's guess. Drained/released some of the R-134 and problem solved. Hope this helps.

[frankd]

You said the fan clutch was weak and you weren't pulling enough air over the condensor and radiator. I have a 2001 E-350 with a V-10 and when it starts up the fan is loud (moving a lot of air). You may want to try replacing the fan clutch and if it moves more air, your pressure readings will drop and the a/c will cool better.

 

Frank D.

[scotty]

It kinda sounds like its not getting air through the condenser. It will drive both sides high.

The only oddity is the low side is not climbing as well. (Could the charge be low as well as plugged condensor?)

Check the pipes in and out of the condenser. Out should be just above ambient air temp, in should be hot. (if out is too hot to hang on too, it's not cooling)

50 psi/ 250psi are about right. 450psi is WAY too high.

[midnite]

Could be to much 134a. Had a frieghtliner yesterday did about same thing 50-60/400-450 had about a pound to much. Forgot it was a 3# system instead of a 4#.Bled it back down,when left shop it was cooling at 48 deg in 102 deg weather.134a does the same thing if freon to low or to high. Was thinking expansion valve but readings aren't right for that. Hope this helps.

[flb_78]

True Dat! Overcharge will cause the same problems.