Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

spit on Sun July 08, 2012 12:04 AM

Year: 2002
Make: Ford
Model: Explorer
Engine Size: 4.0
Refrigerant Type: R-134
Ambient Temp: 95
Pressure Low: 20
Pressure High: 250
Country of Origin: United States

Replaced the compressor and orifice tube today. It seemed like the o;d compressor was leaking oil and gas and was not building pressure like it should. The orifice tube was packed with metal shavings. I checked the line from the tube to the condenser and it was free of any debris. I pumped the system down and recharged it. While recharging the compressor kept cycling on and off. Once I had a full charge in, it still cycled on and off and never got cool. When I jumped the low pressure cut out switch and let it run, the low side down dropped to almost zero and a high side went up to a pressure of 350. Seems to me like the condenser may be plugged up with metal shavings. When I shut the truck off the high side stayed at over 250 and did not seem to equalize with the low side. What does this sound like to you? I am leaning towards a bad/plugged condenser I have not flushed the system yet. Any and all ideas welcome.

Spit

TRB on Sun July 08, 2012 12:32 AM

Did you replace the orifice tube? Sure it got put in the proper direction? Could also be plugged as you suspecting.

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chris142 on Sun July 08, 2012 8:24 PM

Since the tube had metal then the condenser must be totally packed.Replace it, the dryer and flush everything else.

spit on Mon July 09, 2012 6:20 PM

TRB you know your stuff!!

I took it back apart on Sunday and found that I did insert the OT in wrong direction. I had already removed the condenser when I thought to pull the OT. So I did flush the condenser and a number of the lines. ( I got a Robinaire flush bottle a few years back to use on my Grand Caravan) Being that I installed the new OT backwards the force it pushed it another 3/4's of an inch further down the line and I didn't have a good pair of small needle nose pliers that would fit into the line. I ened up beating the crap out of the new OT to get it out. So I went and got a 2nd new OT thank goodness that they onl cost $2. Pumped it down recharged it and it seems to be working great I had 38 degree air out of the center vents on a 95 degree day. When I found the tube in backwards I thought to myself...what a moron I am...but I guess it's a lesson well learned.
Probably better that I flushed everything...

Spit