Ford factory air.

[pjpvi]

I added heater core shut-off valve. See here:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4635

Just finished a couple week trip running around Colorado including all the passes between California and Colorado. I found the following with this mod.

- A/C is now always cold. Long hot ascents use to render the A/C useless. Not the case anymore.
- My wife now says the passenger leg area does not get near as hot as it use to. That benefit surprised me, but I guess the radiant heat from the heater core sitting in the dash above the passengers leg was significant.
- When on vent setting and slow 4-wheeling, the vent air will still get quite a bit warmer than ambient air temp.
- The air in the vents will still heat up after shutting the van off for a while, but the recovery time to reasonable temperature after starting the van is quicker.

So, in the end it is not the perfect solution, but certainly does help quite a bit. I'm glad I did it.

Phil

[daveb]

From powerstrokeNation.com:

Noticed recently that my AC wasn't blowing as cold as normal. Also noticed that vac pump was running longer on start-up, and when I turned on MAX AC some of the air was coming out defroster vent. Was gonna look under the hood a few times, but didn't get around to it right away.
Saw a post on another site about cold AC mod, guy pulled the same diverter valve as in the Dieselsite kit from a junkyard Ranger. After reading through the post, found out Ford started putting them on at the factory on 05 or 06 (mines an 06). Switch is activated by vacuum when you switch to MAX AC. Realized I had a vac switch on the heater hose right by the firewall, never paid much attention to it before. Popped the hood, sure enough the vac hose had come off, must of knocked it loose when I changed the oil a couple days before (right next to the oil filler neck). Plugged the vac hose back on, AC blowing as cold as ever.
Sure wish everything was so easy to fix!

I'm sure someone (maybe Herb?) posted info on this some time back but does an 06 have the valve as a stock installation? I might be having a vac problem like the guy that posted because mine is failing on the max setting when driving at high speeds. Ford said that at times the computer will turn off the AC if the engine is under a heavy load. Has anybody ever heard of this? The AC works good since I returned from Nevada but I still have not taken it up the hill to test it
__________________

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by daveb

I'm sure someone (maybe Herb?) posted info on this some time back but does an 06 have the valve as a stock installation? I might be having a vac problem like the guy that posted because mine is failing on the max setting when driving at high speeds. Ford said that at times the computer will turn off the AC if the engine is under a heavy load. Has anybody ever heard of this? The AC works good since I returned from Nevada but I still have not taken it up the hill to test it

It sure could be. I know from 1st hand experience that the van will shut off engine power if the temps get too high. I also know that pouring a gallon of water over the radiator will bring the temps down and restore power.

Mike

[kenkillsr]

I just wrote a lengthy report about my SMB AC and other things only to have this damned machine erase it on me.
Suffice it to say that after a couple of trips to the Ford dealer they did some proper testing of the AC and determined the compressor was failing.
GO FIGGER!!
Why do they just pump FREON into it and say it's OK??????

[daveb]

They should have done a dye and pressure test. If it's under warrantee let them do whatever but if not I would make sure it's really the compressor. It depends if you trust your local Ford dealeship...I've had some problems. I had a schrader valve fail that cause the same thing. There is also an additive that can be added to cause the seals to swell and that usually will get you by for the season maybe longer. Compressor is gonna cost ya.

[kenkillsr]

Damned machine just erased my reply AGAIN.

Schrader valve was replaced in Tallahassee.
Started blowing heat around El Paso.
Earnhardt Ford in Mesa Az. tested and found freon low but no leaks.
Dye was inserted after that test.
Toledo dealer found freon low but no leaks.
How does freon get low with no leaks?
Dye was inserted again.
After 250 miles of moderate cockpit temps and high temp complaints from rear cabin area I took it back.
ESP will cover compressor, ball joints, and alternator.

[daveb]

At least you're covered Ken. Maybe the leak is in a spot difficult to see. Usually you can see the residue where the leak occurs but it’s hard to see anything under the hood in a van. One of the Schrader valves on my van had dirty residue around it and I found out that they now make a better valve that has two seals on it instead of one. I replaced both of them. On my truck and car, both compressors are failing but I can see where the leak is pooling. Not happy about plopping down 4 grand to replace them. I used the additive on both, and the truck lost the Freon over the winter. The car is holding in so far, so I’ll just have to wait and see.
If you find out how or what caused the compressor failed, please post back Ken.

BTW I try to always highlight the post and copy under edit. In fact I just got bumped off

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by kenkillsr

Damned machine just erased my reply AGAIN.

Irritating isn't it? I always blame it on Microsoft and the automatic features embedded in IE. Never can figure out the combination of keystrokes that will delete everything I've spent 20 minutes typing, but it keeps happening.

My only work-around is to write a long response in Word and then copy/paste it into a reply.

I wish I knew how to turn off all automatic features built in by Microsoft.

Mike

[kenkillsr]

Dave & Mike;
Damned thing did it again.
I'm gonna' quit previewing.
====================
Difficult to see?
What do we pay these "mechanics" to do??
Get it in & out as fast as possible, {beat the book}???
OR, find the problem and FIX IT????
Why do we go to dealers for service and repairs?????
Where is the dealer responsability in all this??????
What about Ford Motor Company???????
Doesn't anyone give a damn anymore????????
=======================
At any rate, I WILL be on this dealership for the return of my payment for the first [1st] "A/C repair."
As I've been a semi-regular customer, I expect a good result.
It does seem that while traveling if You don't go to the same dalerships for service and repair they don't care, figuring they won't be seeing You again.

I'll try to keep You posted.

[daveb]

You’re preaching to the choir. Just make sure they park it inside at night! Good luck.