Upgrade AC on SHO

I have a 1993 Taurus SHO and I recently had my compressor replaced by a Ford Dealership. My Air conditioner works like it suppose too, but on a hot day it just don't do the trick. I wonder if anyone has any ideas what I can do to upgrade or improve my AC performance. I have read on the internet of a replacement refrigerant for a134 call Cooltop. It can be mix with a134 or be use by itself, but it claim to be 10 degrees colder than a134. Does any one know about this product and does it work? Also, if I had a large condenser installed would this help my ac performance. I appreciate comments on these 2 topic and any other ideas that you migh have to upgrade my AC performance.

Welcome to the forum!

I used to have a 93 SHO and it would freeze me out, even on a high humidity 100 degree August day. Granted I had R-12 in the system, but I still would say something is not right with your system. You shouldn't need to upgrade the condensor and go with Cooltop. I'm not familiar with that product, but due to the physics of the system, I'm not sure it could work as advertised. Maybe Tripletdaddy will step in and address that.

Do you know if the orifice tube was replaced and the system flushed as part of the process of installing the new compressor? If the compressor failed due to an internal problem, there is a chance that bits of piston ring are floating in the system and may be restricting the orifice tube, which would reduce system performance.

You should measure the temperature coming out of the center vent AND monitor the pressures on the low and high sides at the same time. If either of the gauges are bouncing around that may point towards a problem in the system. Additionally, monitor the pressures of the lines as the compressor is operating. Speaking of the compressor operating, is the compressor clutch cycling?

You should read the "sticky" thread at the top of the Taurus forum page to get an idea what your pressures should be reading.

Have you talked with the dealership that did the work, letting them know you're not satisfied with the performance of the system? After reading and understanding the A/C sticky, see if they'll connect the gauges to the system while you watch. Also monitor a thermometer in the vent which they should use when checking the performance.

Also, on those hot days when the system doesn't seem to work as well as it should, monitor the temp gauge and make sure the radiator cooling fan is running. Inspect the condensor for debris. If it is caked with leaves, dead bugs, etc., use a garden hose to try to push the debris out from the engine compartment side (pushing the debris out the direction it came in).

-Rod

Thank for the quick reply. This forum is awesome. I think it is great that you and other like your self to help out so many other people with their car issues. As far as my car is concern, I have own it since 1995 when it still was a R12 system. It was ice cold then, but since then I had the car retrofitted to a134 and had to replace the compressor 3 different times. I regretted retrofiting to a134 because the performance is just not as good. When the compressor was changed the orfice tube was replaced, but I do not know if the system was flushed. Also I already checked for debris and sprayed my condenser with the water hose. I not sure if the clutch is cycling I wil have to check. I guess I will follow your advice have my dealer check my system while I am watching. Also if any one that is reading this post and has a 1993 SHO that has been retrofitted to a134 can post how your ac performs on a really hot day. I am interested if this is a common problem or if it is just my car. Thanks

Even while on vacation I'm hearing my name in vain. Oh well. This is addictive stuff. :D

Ditto on the system not right and go to the dealer to have them check it out especially before you add or change anything. I don't know just how much the products out there are hype or for real. I suppose in theory you could add something to the refrigerant that will enable it to absorb and dump more heat, but with a fully charged system, I'm not sure you can really add anything more to it without overcharging it.

Bottom line, start with the dealer first as you should have gotten from them a fully functional, adequately cooling system when they were done with it.

I measured the temperature coming out of vents today and read 68 degrees. I checked it while driving down the highway to try to get the full performance from the AC. The outside temperature was 99 degrees. Tomorrow I am taken it to the dealer to get fix. My question is what temperature range should I expect to come from the vents while the AC is running. I want to make sure that the AC is cold enough before I accept it back from the dealer.
Thanks, Bill

Usually you would want to see between 42 and 47 degrees F coming directly out of the center vents when set to high blower and recirculate/Max A/C. Were you using a pen style thermometer or an Infrared no-contact thermometer? I'm not sure you'd get an accurate reading if using a no-contact thermometer.

-Rod

It was the pen type.
Bill

I just wanted to give an update on my AC problem. The Dealer found one of the refrigerant line rusting through. They wanted to charge me $650 for parts and labor to replace all the refrigerant lines. The orginal work was done in January when they replaced the compressor and the serpentine belt and charged me $1420 for that(I feel like a sucker). I argued with the dealer that the line just did start to rust up in the last 6 months and should of been found during the original worked so they should not charge me for labor but only for the part. They were willing to go down to $500 but I still was not statisfied. Do you think I am being unreasonable or should the dealer told me about the line during the original work? I decided that I am going to do the work myself. I Know that the AC system is normally not a DIY project, but I am pretty confident can do it. I know some of the project I will need help from a local garage(discharging my freon, evacuating and flushing). Thanks, Bill