Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

turbobee on Wed July 10, 2013 8:23 PM

Year: 2005
Make: Ford
Model: Ranger
Engine Size: 2.4L
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Ambient Temp: 110
Pressure Low: na
Pressure High: na
Country of Origin: United States

Hi everyone, I'm new here in the forums I just have a few questions regarding AC. I had a friend of mine who is an automotive professional check the refrigerant in my vehicle to ensure I was at proper spec for my vehicle. Summer heat in Arizona has been taking it's toll up to 110 degree Fahrenheit and I wanted to ensure that everything was in order. I noticed my vehicle temperature wasn't as cold at idle since the temperature rise which is what brought this about. In all likeliness there was probably never a problem in the first place, I just wanted to make sure.

Fast forward, after he evacuated the system, he said he had done it twice to ensure he got all the moisture out of the system. I didn't think to ask him about the oil while he was evacuating the system until after but it seems he didn't measure how much oil was removed and didn't replace any. He told me that the evacuation generally doesn't remove much oil and wasn't of concern. Also when he was recharging my system I took note that my truck takes 2lb 1oz. His input on his system was only in pounds, the proper conversation of 2lb 1oz to pounds is 2.0625 pounds. He put 2.1 pounds into the machine and started it before I could come back with the conversation from google and said it was so close that it wouldn't make a difference. In this case how true is this? My calculations say that I now have 6/10 oz more than I'm supposed to with no idea how much oil was removed from the system.

My AC still works good, on the freeway I reach around 40-43 degrees Fahrenheit and at idle 50 degrees Fahrenheit with ambient temperatures around 100-108 degrees Fahrenheit. Prior to the work and the summer heat the truck could idle at 40 maybe even 38. I can still get to around 40 at night. Sorry I may be over thinking this but I'd like to avoid any premature wear on my components from this check I had performed.

Edited: Wed July 10, 2013 at 8:25 PM by turbobee

fix_it on Wed July 10, 2013 10:19 PM

My guess would be that very little oil was removed. I probably wouldn't worry about that.

As far as the 2.1 lbs versus 2 lbs, 1 oz, I think you are OK there too. A small amount of the refrigerant that leaves the machine never actually makes it to the car. It remains in the hoses. You see, when you evacuate the system, you also evacuate the hose and pipes inside the machine. Then some of the refrigerant that is weighed out from the tank refills the hoses. This is a small amount, maybe an ounce or so.

Now, on to your lack of cooling at idle. Does you truck have a mechanical engine driven fan? If so, it probably is driven by a clutch. That clutch may very well be worn and not pulling enough air through the condenser at low RPM. Poop AC performance is usually the first sign of a worn fan clutch.

turbobee on Thu July 11, 2013 12:56 AM

Hmm, yes he actually said the same thing. I guess I was just over thinking too much once again. Thank you for your time

94RX-7 on Thu July 11, 2013 4:40 PM

The difference in charge won't make any difference. You always see nice round numbers on under-hood stickers. Like 850 grams or 700 grams or 28 ounces. I've never seen a system call for 843 grams or 29.3 ounces.