Cold A/C???? How cold on X w/ 7.3

[waterluver]

I have a 2001 X 4x4 Limited Chestnut metalic. I have had it to the local Ford dealer now about 4 times in the past month for poor a/c cooling. They have replaced the cycling switch, Compressor, & orfice. The latter two the last time it was in. It just keeps getting worse the more they work on it, and this was the last stop before it rolled over 36,000. They now are telling me that they cannot do any more to it until they can compare it to another 2001 X w/ 7.3L and see if it is cooling normal. I know that it is hotter than it used to be last summer. When the outside air is below 80, it will blow in the 40's after it has run about 30 min. However, when the outside air breaks over 80 and up it wont drop below 58-60, and last Saturday when the mercury hit the mid 90's the best I saw was 78 out of the vents with it on max A/C. Can some of you get me some temps off of your X's in similar conditions so I have some ammo to take to the Ford dealer?? Thank you!!

Mark [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

By the way I just ordered one of the coolant shut off valves but I think mine already has on, but two cant hurt.

[2002ExcursionPSD]

Mark

I haven't had any issues with my '02 7.3, it does seem to take a while to cool off when I first get in on a hot day but I believe that is attributable to the large cubic volume of air that must be cooled.

Is there a difference with and without the rear air turned on?

[Clydeglide]

My A/C will freeze you out even on 90 deg F plus days with 100% humidity. The large volume of air needed to cool the vehicle is a problem. Stick a thermometer in the center vent with the switch set at max cool. Set fan to position 2 or 3. Do not turn on rear air. The reading should be <45 deg F. This may take several minutes. 40 deg F is excellent. 50 deg F is marginal.

When the weather here goes from warm and dry to hot and damp people often complain about the A/C not seeming to work as well. It just takes longer to reduce the higher interior temp to a comfortable level.

Hope this helps!

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[drchris1024]

I agree. Mine take a few minutes to start getting cold, but mine('01 X Lim.) sits in the sun all day. Temp's close to 100 and humidity right up there as well. After a few minutes though it will freeze me out. I just got back from a 400 mile trip to Fla. and actually turned the AC off a few times in the middle of the day.

Hope this helps.

[DR.billZ]

Sounds like your outside air control door is stuck open(using outside air all the time). This is the same as running it on "Normal" setting. That is about the only way to explain the air getting hotter as the ambiet temps rise. MAybe you have a vacuum leak to the controller(if it is controlled by vacuum that is). I just had this happen to my '92 7.3L F-350. I sealed the vacuum leak and it cools much better.

Tips to cool your vehicle down better(from a Southerner).
1) open all windows and clear out the super-heated air.....while moving.
2)close all windows except for the rear vent windows.
3)run A/C on NORMAL. This uses cooler outside air(cooler than the air in the vehicle) and also forces the hot air out the rear vents. Don't think it does this? Just go back and feel the air coming out of the rear windows [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
4)Once you know the inside air is cooler than the outside air, close the rear vents and switch to MAX A/C. If you don't close the rear vent windows with the A/C on MAX it will draw hot air in the vehicle thru the rear vent windows.
Works like a charm!

[CHPMustang]

The problem with the AC design on the Excursions is one compressor,one condensor and two evaporators which is one too many evaps too on a pickup truck AC layout.

There's barely any insulating material on the 20' length of cold charge line running to the rear,therefor a large percentage of the cold produced is lost to the hot radiant heat from the ground surface and ambient air temps don't help either.

I've spent more than enough time over the last year perfecting the AC's operation in our Excursion some have suggested I go to the extreme for just a few degrees but it works!

The stock system best runs on MAX AC setting #2-3 on the front and setting #1 for the rear.

-BILL

[DR.billZ]

Did you wrap the rear A/C line?

[CHPMustang]

[ QUOTE ]
Did you wrap the rear A/C line?

[/ QUOTE ]
I dropped down the entire engine coolant/AC line batch to re-insulate the cold line only without leaving any line exposed.

I reused/reinstalled the factory wire loom cover after it was all done.

[Clydeglide]

[ QUOTE ]
The stock system best runs on MAX AC setting #2-3 on the front and setting #1 for the rear.

-BILL

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow! Great ideas and suggestions from everyone here. I do agree with Bill on the system settings.

If you do the temp thing from the center vent and find the readings >50 deg F you may not be getting the benefit of the max setting.

Almost forgot the most important thing......Measure the temp at 1200 to 1500 rpm! Or just drive it around while taking its temp.

Again..all great suggestions.

You guys are good!

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[CHPMustang]

One of the first item anyone should buy for their truck is a digital temperature probe which measures to 1/10 of a degree.

They're available at Walmart and Target stores for like $10 or so.

The old style needle just doesn't cut the mustard with me unless you're frying a turkey [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]