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98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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big dog
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Sep 16, 2005, 9:40 AM
Post #1 of 7
(5782 views)
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98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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Hi, I have a 98 ford escort wagon 2.0, Recently my husband added some freon in my car, because it wasn't cold enough especially on the hot days here in AZ.
It was working good enough after he added more freon. He said the pressure was good enough.
But now, it just not blowing cold air at all, just blows hot air. Please help!
My husband is not a mechanic but can change or check any part so long he is told what part needs to be checked or changed.
Can anyone tell me what he can check or what can the problem be and locations of any part besides the compressor and the alternator.
I read in one of the forums that a 98 ford escort takes 28ozs of freon.
and something about adding oil, relays, control switches, tapping on something.... Someone told me to put my hand over compressor to see if it feels cold and if it's not it needs to be changed, is that true?
Anyway, what should the pressure read?
What is the cheapest thing to do before spending big and needlessly.
By the way he replaced the compressor in 03. Remanufactured.
Hope I didn't confuse anybody.
Please help with some good advice.
I'd appreciate very much!
The B
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2005, 11:04 AM
Post #2 of 7
(5767 views)
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Re: 98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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If it cooled down a little while with boost
you may have a leak. They can be tough to find may require some equipment.
Some things that need to be known.....
1. Is the compressor turning (outer part) otherwise it's just a pulley? A relay or fuse could be at fault, somethimes they are labeled underhood or locations might be in car's owner's manual
2. Is the fan staying on to condenser? That's the part in front of engine's radiator?
3. You check pressures at 1,500 rpm - A/C on full blast doors open. Both the high and low #s are important!
4. Know the ambient temp. The pressure will vary depending on temp.
5. Look for oily spots or excessive oil on condenser, the shaft at the compressor, and all connections. They sell dye that's sometimes helpful. Soapy water can find some leaks. If you find a leak - the car should be vacuumed out and refrigerant recovered. Plug off exposed hoses as best you can if you have the system open. Replacing the
accumulator/drier can make things work better and last longer.
6. System should be fairly quiet while operating. Knock, grinding etc., is a bad sign and the sooner it gets fixed the better the job will come out.
7. You can spray silicone on the belt and if it shuts up it's likely just a shinny belt.
8. Too much refrigerant will reduce or stop cooling and NOT good for the system. If you are using the low side only can tap the gauges are only marinally accurate. Real gauges are NOT that expensive.
9. Avoid using anything but pure refrigerant. Use of sealers will void warranties and should be reserved for a last try, when you don't plan on fixing the problem if it didn't work.
10. Moisture is a real enemy of A/C. Bleed lines (even the little cans line) till you just hear a hiss to keep air out of the system, before adding. Even AZ's air has moisture in it.
PS: Hope that helped. Hit back with any more questions. If by chance you are near Phoenix - I know of an awesome shop. Let me know and get you owner's name and info. You may need some honest help with this.
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big dog
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Sep 16, 2005, 1:41 PM
Post #3 of 7
(5761 views)
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Re: 98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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Hi! and thanks for your response. Husband still at work.
But I still can check a few things myself anyway.
When he added the freon it lasted about 2 weeks or so.
Then it stopped blowing cold air.
I checked the fuse in the car that is labeled a/c, it fine.
I turned on the car and ac, the fan turns on back of the radiator,
but what is the part you said is the fan staying on condensor mean?
Can you tell me for now where the condensor usually is so I can look for it?
I guess I don't know what the compressor looks like either but I see belts turning one on top and one on bottom. What is a pulley? Is that part of the belt?
well I guess I'll leave the rest for my husband?
Thanks, just wanted to get a jump start on it getting it fixed.
Hope you can help me in the meantime.
:)
B 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2005, 5:45 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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The condenser is a radiator which will have a larger and smaller tube both metal and hard rubber that is the first thing behind the grille up front. It is the forward most part of the A/C system. Looks like the radiator for the engine coolant but they share nothing with each other except they need to be fan cooled. When asking for A/C the electric fans should stay on. Off season they come on as needed to cool the engine.
A pulley in the belt system holds the belt so all the other items, power steering, water pump, alternator and work while it just a pulley. The compressor is part of it and will look still with compressor off and spinning with belt power when engaged. It will have a larger and smaller hose set going to it again both metal and rubber parts are used.
The fuse is a start but you probably have a relay too. Again that should be listed in owner's manual. Should be about a one inch square box but may be a different set up in your car. If there's pressure in the system and the compressor won't come on it needs to be checked out.
By the way, "Freon" was a brand name by Dupont for refrigerant R-12. Your car unless altered uses refrigerant R-134a. We know what you mean either way. There are a lot of terms used in A/C and you may want to surf the web or buy a cheap A/C book with glossary and the principles of operation. Cheap books will NOT be helpful to a specific car.
We're here - ask away
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big dog
User
Sep 26, 2005, 2:46 PM
Post #5 of 7
(5703 views)
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Re: 98 Ford Escort wagon A/C not blowing cold air
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Hi Again,
What do you think about A/C Super Sealants.
Will they hold up for awhile? about how long?
It's already cooling down here, we'll be selling our car this month anyway just got a new car! But I would like to sell it with A/C working though.
Anyway, I guess what I posted before never was posted, anyway.
The A/C blows hot when it's hot outside but now in the mornings and evening it has cooled off a lot so when I turn it on in the morn or night it cool but not cold.
I could here something like cycling back and forth, on and off like, click on click off...Took it somewhere and the guy and told him that and he said it may be a leak somewhere, and just try the Sealant if I'm going to sell anyway.
By the way, We live southeast about 40 or so mins. from Phoenix. Chandler, Az. It's a drive.
Thanks again
the B
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 26, 2005, 4:13 PM
Post #6 of 7
(5692 views)
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I've some some luck with a two step sealer for both metal and rubber. Truth is I've had to boost it back a couple times. It was originally a two day leak!! Been working for two years now!! Next step for that car is a wrecking yard so I experimented with it.
Did a review of success from these things and found they were about 50/50. I WOULD NEVER USE THESE UNLESS A LAST TRY AND YOU ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP! Please mark the car that it has sealer in it! It may cause problems with recovery equipment and let them decide how to deal with that without wrecking big buck equipment.
Stay cool - should tell a buyer that it has sealer in it but I can't force you. T
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big dog
User
Sep 26, 2005, 4:31 PM
Post #7 of 7
(5688 views)
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Well, was thinking to tell them before we do it. And make it there choice.
They would have like 7 months to save to get the A/C fixed anyway or do the sealant.
Everything else is fine. Has dark tinted windows all the way around.
Of course excluding the windshield it just has a strip at top.
Thanks much for the information.
The B
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