Hello all,

I recently took my 94 ranger in due to lack of AC and as usual they wanted way too much to replace it.

They recharged the AC and it worked temporarily and then they said I had a hole in my ac condensor? I have only ever heard of a compressor.

Anyone know how to fix this? or can provide some step by step details or a link?


Thank you

 

AC in a vehicle has 5 major parts.

Compressor is on the engine, fan belt turns it to compress the low pressure liquid Freon(yes I know not Freon any more, lol), and that turns it from a liquid into a gas at high pressure

From the compressor the now high pressure Freon gas goes to the condenser, it is on the front side of the radiator.
Compressing anything heats it up, the condenser cools it off.

From the condenser the partially cooled Freon is back to a liquid, but still at high pressure, and goes to the Drier, this absorbs any moisture from the heating and cooling of the Freon

From the Drier it goes to the Expansion valve.
When you allow a compressed(high pressure) liquid(or gas) to drop to a lower pressure it cools down rapidly, the point of AC, and refrigeration in general.
If you have an air compressor or a can of compressed air, when you release the air it is very cold when it comes out, thats how AC works, compress and decompress

from expansion valve it goes to Evaporator in the cab, it gets this now very cold low pressure Freon running thru it, and a fan blows air thru evaporator tubes and fins and out the vents.

From evaporator the Freon liquid goes to compressor, and process starts all over again


If you have a leak in the system, anywhere really, then Freon need to be drained and that part replaced, then the system needs to be recharged again.

There are also 2 pressure switches, one on high side the other on lower side.
If there is a leak one of the pressure switches will open so compressor can't start.
Compressor is oiled internally by the Freon, if pressure is low then running the compressor will cause to to fail, burn up inside.


Compressor>----------condenser>------drier>-----expansion valve>-------(evaporator)>------------compressor>.................

Evaporator is the only part in the cab, the rest are in the engine bay, or in front of rad

 

It's not difficult at all, I had a "hole" in my AC system, just get yourself a good leak sealer for AC systems(you might have to spend a little money to get one that works), follow the instructions on the can and your half way there, once you do that you might want to get some AC pro to add to it, just pay attention to the dial and don't over fill it, then you're in trouble. Let me know how it works out. Good luck.

 

I have used AC sealer for leaks on low pressure side, and it does work.

I would have my doubts about how long it would last on high pressure side, i.e. condenser leak.
But I have never tried on high side leak

You can find a condenser at wrecking yard, quite a few models should match.
get Freon drained then take apart grill and swap out condenser.

Take it in to get refilled.

You can't leave the system open more than a day or two, or leave it with no pressure very long, i.e. a month or two.
It will ruin the Drier and it will have to be replaced.

 

I'm just speaking from experience and trying to save him some money and a trip to the junkyard, I don't know where mine leaked at but I did it in January and it's held up all the way to this Monday when I totaled my truck at an intersection, so as far as I know it still works.

 

Complete A/C Repair Job - AutoZone.com

This is what most vehicle A/C systems are made up of. Also, because of the year it's originally R12 freon. So if you haven't already, convert it to R134a. DON'T MIX THE TWO. They are not compatible and will ruin your A/C system. Also replace all O-Rings in the A/C system or you'll constantly have leaks, due to the fact that R12 is a larger molecule than R134a. So, R134a can slip through the old seals.

Hope this helps, best of luck.