a/c not cooling on idle

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Sodapop, Sep 5, 2011.

  1. Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    When I first got in my truck, the AC wouldn't cool below 70. I straightened out some fins, then got down to 60. It would warm up at idle, so I'd have to kick the rpms up to 1000 and leave the fan on.

    The company would save $$$ by replacing the condenser. Especially since they just replaced the oriface tube, bunk evaporate valve and the drier :biggrin_25510:
     
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  3. Vegas Reaper

    Vegas Reaper Light Load Member

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    Las Vegas, NV
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  4. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    I your case, to confirm the condenser, once the a/c has stopped working and low side pressures are too high try pouring water all over the condenser with a garden hose. If it starts to cool again you have found your problem. Sometimes the cooling fins become detached from the tubes on the condenser and the heat exchange isn't as good unless the truck is at highway speeds.
     
    MemeKing, RubyEagle and Haygrazer Thank this.
  5. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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  6. oneshot

    oneshot Medium Load Member

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    Sodapop, ur not going through the change are u and having HOT flashes?:biggrin_25523:
     
  7. Sodapop

    Sodapop Light Load Member

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    Mar 19, 2010
    Blytheville,Ar
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    HAHA..sometimes I wonder!! I'm gonna take cond, cooler off and blow out and wash my Radiator. see if that helps any..been running Hott going out to the west coast..
     
  8. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    If you have 75 lbs at Idle on the low side, them you definitely have a problem, the expansion valves are either corroded out or you are way over filled. If the shop does not check the oil level go to a different shop. If the shop does not evacuate the system for at least 20 minutes go to a different shop if they do not wait to see if the system holds a vacuum go to a different shop.
    You can check the cab air filter, and the heater flow control valve if they are not right get them fixed.
    It really helps if you tell us what truck you have whether you have a sleeper, every bit of information helps.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2011
    RubyEagle Thanks this.
  9. Sodapop

    Sodapop Light Load Member

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    sorry, 2004 379 pete with flat top sleeper. 525 cat bridge engine.
     
  10. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    To wash out the radiator, AC condenser, transmission cooler cores, can all be washed with a pressure washer, with heavy soap, and direct the flow directly at the core from about two feet. Do not do it at an angle or it will bend the fins. It will not hurt the cores or you would not drive in the rain. First do a systematic pattern, 2 inch rows, from top to bottom, then run the unit fan on at 1200RPM, and do it again. You can see the air flow from the spray, and tell were the rad is dirty and flow is blocked.
    If you have one of those real pretty plastic bug screens put it on and watch the spray pattern with and without it then throw it away, and spend the money on a metal screen. If the AC condenser is damaged severely get a new one, they are cheaper than paying for continual repairs and will pay for them-self in saved fuel, not having to run the system longer than needed.
    Just a thought!
     
  11. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    I ran to a similar problem and it was a leaky heater valve. So now I shut off the heater valves from the engine block, problem solve.
     
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