2001 Ford F-150 NONWORKING A C

TBARR95

MEMBER
2001 FORD F-150
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

HI Love the show can never get in to ask my question !
My Ford ( LOVE it, not the gas mileage though !)
It is fast and fun !
I had the ac lines repaired by a friend of a friend. They moved all of them !
( I know, the friends, auto repair shop)
The mech replaced bad hoses from a c lines.
When I got it back the A C worked ok just not great.
I didn't use ac for a long time (near Seattle WA O K )
Had the compressor replaced by another guy. That was all that he did no filling or repair on Ac unit.
So I got no ac blows warm or outside cool air ( Seattle ya know?)
Well, Do I recharge system with coolant my self is there a GOOD type of all in one kit to refill ac with or should I just take Auto the dealer and pay $ $ $ $?
I think I'm capable of the refilling. I just don't want to waste any $.
Should I get the newer ac repair kits with the special glasses to see leaking?
(not kidding I saw that kit in a repair shop. Honest. Do they work?)
Thanks
Again Love the show. Can't wait for the cartoon
See you guys bopping each other with car hoods and wrenches could be fun !
Tim

3 Replies

AIRSOFTSOLDRECN9

MEMBER
348 POSTS

A UV detector would be absolutely essential in diagnosing your A/C system. Find out why all of the refrigerant leaked out of the system, hopefully there was UV die placed into the system when it was serviced. Compressor oil and refrigerant residue should still show up under the UV light but it may be harder to see. If there is no refrigerant in the sytem then disconnect the lines and pull out the orifice tube. Check that the filters are not clogged with debris. You might find it beneficial to flush the evaporator and condensor with mineral spirits and air. Check the o rings at all fittings. Once you have fixed any leaks and the system is sealed pull a full vacuum (28 in. Or greater) on the system with a vacuum pump and let it run for an hour to remove all moisture and air completely. Then replace the refrigerant with 3oz oil per 12 oz of refrigerant.