5thJune2008, 09:53 PM
My A/C is original as far as I can tell. It is still on R12 and has always worked well.
Just before the Trace Ride, I decided that it could probably work better with a little TLC.
One problem is that it was blowing cool all the time, and cold intermittently.
Another problem was that it was not blowing very hard from the upper vents.
Uppon investigation, I found that I had three problems:
a partially clogged evaporator
a malfunctioning vent control
low refrigerant charge
I started by removing the blower from below the glove box. By removing two screws, a nut and the squirrel cage, I was able to dissassemble the blower motor. I used compressed air to blow out the carbon dust from the worn brushes. I oiled the bushings and the felt reservoirs surrounding the bushings. I reassembled the motor and laid it aside.
I removed the glovebox and the bottom half of the evaporator housing from inside the truck.
![[Image: Trace3002.jpg]](http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd110/Reserector_/Trace3002.jpg)
I used a plastic basin to catch water as I hosed it out with the garden hose. I sprayed it with Castrol Super Clean, then rinsed it again.
![[Image: Trace3004.jpg]](http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd110/Reserector_/Trace3004.jpg)
I cleaned out the bottom housing and reinstalled everything.
![[Image: Trace3001.jpg]](http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd110/Reserector_/Trace3001.jpg)
With the vents set on the upper vents, a strong blast of air was still blowing out of the lower vents. I simply plugged the lower vents with a clean pair of socks and the upper vents are blowing properly again. It's a redneck move, but I cannot justify removing the entire dash just to fix a faulty flap in the ducting.
I hooked up the gauges to the system and found that the charge was on the low end of the reccommeded charge. My system has a sight glass built into the accumulator. With the system running and stable, It was showing a lot of bubbles. It actually looked like it was foaming. That is a sure sign of an undercharged system.
Since I have had the truck for three years and it has always worked, I figure it has the right to be a little low on refrigerant. I suspect that it leaked out past the compressor seal over the years.
I topped it off with R12 until the bubbles went away and called it good.
What a difference! This system never worked this good in all the time I have had it. I should have checked it two years ago.
Just before the Trace Ride, I decided that it could probably work better with a little TLC.
One problem is that it was blowing cool all the time, and cold intermittently.
Another problem was that it was not blowing very hard from the upper vents.
Uppon investigation, I found that I had three problems:
a partially clogged evaporator
a malfunctioning vent control
low refrigerant charge
I started by removing the blower from below the glove box. By removing two screws, a nut and the squirrel cage, I was able to dissassemble the blower motor. I used compressed air to blow out the carbon dust from the worn brushes. I oiled the bushings and the felt reservoirs surrounding the bushings. I reassembled the motor and laid it aside.
I removed the glovebox and the bottom half of the evaporator housing from inside the truck.
I used a plastic basin to catch water as I hosed it out with the garden hose. I sprayed it with Castrol Super Clean, then rinsed it again.
I cleaned out the bottom housing and reinstalled everything.
With the vents set on the upper vents, a strong blast of air was still blowing out of the lower vents. I simply plugged the lower vents with a clean pair of socks and the upper vents are blowing properly again. It's a redneck move, but I cannot justify removing the entire dash just to fix a faulty flap in the ducting.
I hooked up the gauges to the system and found that the charge was on the low end of the reccommeded charge. My system has a sight glass built into the accumulator. With the system running and stable, It was showing a lot of bubbles. It actually looked like it was foaming. That is a sure sign of an undercharged system.
Since I have had the truck for three years and it has always worked, I figure it has the right to be a little low on refrigerant. I suspect that it leaked out past the compressor seal over the years.
I topped it off with R12 until the bubbles went away and called it good.
What a difference! This system never worked this good in all the time I have had it. I should have checked it two years ago.
