wolfman13

Looking for a link on how to troubleshoot this to the best of my abilities, before I have to take it in. 2000 with 80,000 miles blew cold air this morning but now doesn't. Any ideas?

rtg143

Does the A/C clutch kick in?

JimFX4

At 80,000 miles you may just need a freon top off. the R-134A naturally leaks out over time- there is no way to stop it. This may very well be the case if you have never had to add it before.

jlederman

Wolfman,
I have a 2001 F150 with a 4.6 engine. I am going to add R-134 to my system because it doesn't blow cold anymore. Do you know where to hook up the can to the system in order to add the freon? My shop manual does not specify. And do you know how much to add?
Thanks.

pickupsrule

You folks really need to check the system pressure before adding any R134 because if it is overcharged it will not cool at all and if you add too much it could rupture and high side 3-400PSI is nothing to play with and you could be killed. Also if the orifice is clogged nothing will help except replacing the orifice. CHECK THE PRESSURE FIRST. You can get a cheap AC low pressure side gauge at the auto parts place and in an R134 system you can only hook low pressure to low pressure since the high pressure valve is fatter and only a high pressure line will fit so it is generally safe for novices. If the low pressure side reads 0 or almost zero with the gauge hooked up, the engine running, the AC on max and the fan on max, the system is low on R134 so add away until it is in specs (about 40 PSI on the low side while running ).
WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES - R134 hitting your eyes can freeze your eyes and permanently blind you. Gloves are a good idea too because R134 can give you frostbite.
It's not that dangerous if you are careful and use proper safety equipment.

wolfman13

Wisconsin doesn't sell R-134. A/C is blowing a small amount of cool,not cold air. Probably have to take it in to get refilled?

pickupsrule

Whaaatttt?
I would drive across the nearest state border, buy the 134A with the gauge built in the hose, and add R134 in that state in a parking lot or something. More than enough will run you about $18.00 with the gauge hose and instructions. KMart and WalMart sell them. Artic Freeze is a good brand. Where I am the AC guys burn you a new rear end on anything they do. INSANE. That's why I bought all the equipment to do it myself and took courses. So far I have saved $ 6,000 on 3 cars replacing the entire systems myself (Compressor, orifice, Accumulator. I no longer live in fear of the AC failing in my cars or truck.
R134A is Federal EPA approved, why the no sell? Ridiculous.
Does the R134A get in the best cheese in the world somehow?
Anyway, your situation sounds like low R134 but YOU NEED TO CHECK WITH THE GAUGE before adding. ALL AC systems will leak a little over time. While I don't really like the stuff, the leak sealer in the R134 you will buy should fix a small leak or two. Read the instructions and follow them.
And I thought California was bad because they said they MIGHT ban consumers from buying R134.
This will explain it.