1998 Ford Explorer help!

OTTER8418

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
149,000 MILES

I just bought a 98 explorer and the air conditioning worked fine for a while. Just today as I was driving to work, it started blowing warm air. It still blows semi-cool air on max cool but not on regular a/c. The compressor is coming on as I checked it. I am praying that it is just a low charge. The previous owner told me that he had never recharged the freon since he bought it new so I am praying that that is all it needs. Any other ideas? Also how do I check the freon levels?

Friday, May 7th, 2010 AT 9:53 AM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,053 POSTS

If it was never charged, chances are that is all it needs. To check freon levels, you need the gauges to check system pressure and head pressure.

Have it recharged and let me know if that takes care of it.

Joe

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, May 7th, 2010 AT 1:21 PM

OTTER8418

MEMBER
1 POST

I checked the freon levels and it is sitting at 55, right at the normal range but when I rev it drops to 35 and the semi cold air on max cool goes to hot. Driving me nuts. More ideas?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, May 7th, 2010 AT 3:55 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,053 POSTS

Based on your description, I would recommend evacuating the system and recharging it. Something is telling me that even though it is reading normal head pressure at idle, it is low.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

-1

Saturday, May 8th, 2010 AT 8:32 PM