2001 Ford E350 Air Conditioning and Starcool

[Smileycatcat]

Hi there, took the van in to get the air conditioning fixed. Said they cant fix it because it is tied into the auxilary (Starcool) system. The air in the cab is blowing warm air..seems like the starcool is blowing cooler air.
Anyone know where I can go get this fixed near Boulder, CO??
Thanks so much!

[REF]

I haven’t had any work done there, but check with Boulder RV

[Orv]

Having the same problem with mine, places locally just want the "quick fix" where they can dump a can of refrigerant and some stop-leak into a stock system. They don't want to mess with anything modified. It's funny, I figured good A/C shops would be easy to find in SoCal.

[arctictraveller]

This thread may give you some insight into the situation.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...nfo-26005.html

Any competent A/C shop should be able to leak test the system at a minimum. If there are no leaks, the condenser fans are running and the under body compressor runs on A/C, the system should work both on shore power and on the road. If they do recharge it, there should be a sticker under the hood that shows the correct amount of refrigerant to install, which is more than just what the stock van system uses. If they do find a leak, it needs to be fixed properly, what ever you do, don't let them install any "stop leak"

[Orv]

I know mine has a leak because it works if I add refrigerant. Just can't find a shop that will touch it.

[Twoxentrix]

This 'map' may help - Identifies a couple places relatively close, at least making contact with several may be useful:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...8106744375&z=5

[SheepShagger]

Originally Posted by Smileycatcat

Hi there, took the van in to get the airconditioning fixed. Said they cant fix it because it is tied into the auxilary (Starcool) system. The air in the cab is blowing warm air..seems like the starcool is blowing cooler air.
Anyone know where I can go get this fixed near Boulder, CO??
Thanks so much!

There is a common issue on the E series, where the AC/Heat flapper valves are controlled by a vacuum, the box that holds a vacuum boost can crack, and when it does, it means the flaps are held in the heat position, so even though your AC is working you get heat and not AC from the dashboard vents. It may be worth checking that vacuum before ripping the AC apart.

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by SheepShagger

There is a common issue on the E series, where the AC/Heat flapper valves are controlled by a vacuum, the box that holds a vacuum boost can crack, and when it does, it means the flaps are held in the heat position, so even though your AC is working you get heat and not AC from the dashboard vents. It may be worth checking that vacuum before ripping the AC apart.

Good thought SheepShagger... if this is the case Vantage Optics has a kit to fix the vacuum issue that is a straight forward install and worked great for me.

https://www.vantageoptics.com/shop/V...Kit-p219070618

[arctictraveller]

Another thought, when you approach a shop, having a copy of the Starcool manual with you might help them better understand the system. The plumbing and wiring diagrams may reduce their anxiety level when they can see that its really not that much different than a standard A/C system.

[doublevan2]

Be sure to tell any AC shop that the freon level for an E350 and StarCool -- is 48 ounces - not what is on the E350 AC specs -- as the StarCool "shares" the chassis AC/Freon hence the need for a higher charge of freon - at 48 ounces !