Anyone have a Starcool III system without a secondary condenser?

[simplesez]

I need to replace the main compressor in my 1996 which means the condenser and dryer elements have to be replaced as well. I have the auxiliary fan in front of the stock condenser but I'm not finding a secondary condenser anywhere? Starcool manual shows it behind the driver door but I don't see it anywhere. Is it tiny?

[arctictraveller]

I've never heard of a system without a second condenser. They are normally located under the van, mounted to the frame rail just aft of the drivers door. There should be a second fan that looks like the one in front. Compressors rarely go bad since they are sealed and run in an oil bath. If it won't start, first check to see that there is 110vac getting to the contactor located in the junction box on the side of the compressor, and if there is, check to see that 12vdc is getting to the contactor coil inside the junction box. That 12vdc energizes the contactor coil and closes a set of points that sends 110vac to the compressor motor. If that's all good, the compressor really is bad. Also, you shouldn't have to replace the condenser unless your compressor burned up and pumped debris through out the system. Normally, you can flush the system, replace the drier, pump it down and recharge with refrigerant and oil. There should be a sticker under the hood listing the proper amounts (somewhat more than the stock Ford system).

[simplesez]

My compressor is broken because when the belt came off (bad tensioner) the electrical connection at the compressor broke. So really just bad luck but regardless the compressor has to be replaced and with it the a/c components.

Looked again today and traced all the connections, there is no secondary condensor. I wonder why Sportsmobile didn't include it on my van?

Can anyone tell me where to find the secondary orifice tube? I want to replace the filter screen. I found dessicant pieces in the standard filter screen. I really don't want to replace the Starcool compressor if I don't have to. I rarely ever use the Starcool.

I'm replacing the stock condenser because I was told it can't be flushed once we saw that dessicant in the system. Plus it is smashed from years of bugs hitting it.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by simplesez

My compressor is broken because the belt came off .

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the 110V compressor. Best of luck.

[Scalf77]

Starcool III went into production in 09/96, so I would have to ask the question do you have Starcool III installed on your van. I don't have any info on what preceded Starcool III.

greg

[simplesez]

Compressor is out along with 2 driers and condenser. I probably have an early Starcool III

[simplesez]

I also have this whacky set up. Appears to be additional filters.

[simplesez]

Found another custom piece that I need to replace as the connection is permanently bonded. **** this system, I'm disconnecting it. Never use it any and it barely worked to make the back of the van cold. Compressor didn't have enough oil it from what I can tell.

[Prifly]

My van only has one condenser this isn't filters there one way check valves supposed to prevent back flowe the compressor not being used

[daveb]

Originally Posted by simplesez

Never use it any and it barely worked to make the back of the van cold. Compressor didn't have enough oil it from what I can tell.

I can't imagine not having rear air while on the road in hot weather. My rear evaporator/blower kicks out a lot of cold air when driving. Are you saying the rear never produced cold air but the front worked OK? If the refrigerant is low, both the front and rear ducts will put out warmer air than normal. Perhaps the rear evaporator system was blocked off by the previous owner?



The compressor on the engine is a stock Ford unit. When mine blew, my buddy just replaced it and recharged the system to what the Starcool requires (72 oz or 4.5 lbs of the correct refrigerant).

This is not what Ford states in their manual and why you need to tell the mechanics how much the combined system holds.