AC blows warm different problem then the rest

Discussion in 'International Forum' started by Dieselpowerr, Mar 26, 2014.

  1. Dieselpowerr

    Dieselpowerr Bobtail Member

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    Mar 26, 2014
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    I run a 2008 workstar with a cat engine. Not sure exactly which cat is under the hood as the company owns it and can't see the engine plate to tell which one it is. I have had them try all sorts of things to get the AC to work. All test come back good. Problem is AC works at high idle but not when working truck. At one point they changed the settings in the comp to get the fan clutch to kick on at 175F instead of the 220F that it normally does. This did help in keeping my AC blowing cool. Problem was fan was almost always on. Truck normally runs at 200F when working moderately. So I brought my concern about fan almost always being on so they switched it back to 220F kick on. Been reading a lot of forums and was talking with some other drivers. The one thing they though was condenser icing up. Just not sure in my mind cause as soon as I stop driving and put into high idle within 2-3 AC blowing cold. Engine fan is on a lot during high idle to cool coolant temp down to 170F. Does this really sound like icing up? Seen about the orifice being block but I have a puddle under truck where all the other trucks do. Just seen a post on a different forum about a control module maybe not telling the comp to turn engine fan on to help cool AC. Basically I guess my question is can the condenser deice within 2-3 mins at high idle? Just seem strange to me cause that cat throws so much heat through the cab that I can't see it icing up. Oh and I'm the only one running a cat the rest have those junk intl engines lol sorry for the long post just trying to put everything in here I can think of. Thanks in advanced.
     
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  3. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    can't speak for your truck. but a properaly charged system WILL ICE the receiver dryer. which in turn melts in the summer heat. thus, the puddle of water you are seeing.

    the condensor SHOULDN'T be icing up. as that is part of the high pressure system. around 150 pounds with the fan on. oi always leave the fan on. unless i'm in dust. makes a big difference in cooling.

    since i always leave my fan on. i have no idea at what point the high pressure must reach before it kicks the fan on itself. on cars. it can be anywhere from 400 - 450 pounds., i think the newer ones are lower now though.

    what you need to do. is look at the low and high pressure with truck idling, and compare to high idle, 1500 rpms. i'm guessing you got some blockage somewhere. usually that little screen inside the system at the receiver dryer. it's either a orifice valve, expansiion valve, or some other name. but it's basically just a screen. (filter)

    your a/c works at high becuase the compressor is spinning faster and can overcome the blockage. but eventually, as the blockage gets worse, even high idle won't work.

    also might be a good idea to high pressure wash the condensor. get all the dirt out of the fins.
     
  4. Dieselpowerr

    Dieselpowerr Bobtail Member

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    Mar 26, 2014
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    Hmm you make a good point. I should see what it does at low idle. Just wondering how high rpms while driving wouldn't be the same. Yeah the more I read different post the more it doesn't make sense. I have had 5 different mechanics look at it and they all say the say thing. It's charged. They have runs vac test for a few hours nothing wrong. They all put it in high idle leave it outside come back about an hour later and say it blows cold air. Wasn't until they switched engine fan to lower temp that something just didn't seem to make sense to me. Also should have said going to get them to check air gap on compressor. The more I know the worse it is for our mechanics lol
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    No a/c when moving, but cold when still is usually hot engine air being blown, or sucked into the HVAC ducting due to a cracked or separated duct. Also, make sure your heater core taps are closed. The a/c is computer controlled. If they have Diamond Logic software they can see the a/c inputs and values the body controller is sensing. If there is anything wrong the system will log a code. They can go on a road test with you and see what is happening. There is way more to an a/c system than simply charging it or checking for vacuum leaks.
     
    EverLuc Thanks this.
  6. pop's

    pop's Light Load Member

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    Feb 3, 2013
    Yulee FL.
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    It's hard to tell With out the high an low readings . I'd change the orifice tube an accumulator .
     
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