how many lbs of r-134 ?

[warrior24]

Can someone tell me how many lbs of r-134 I need to add to my 92 ranger. Also what should the high side read an low side read.

 

[4x4junkie]

I assume this is a conversion, as '92 used R-12.

A lot of sources will say it's something like 85% of what the original R-12 charge would be, others say to use the same amount of R-134a as you would R-12.

When I had my BII charged, the guy put in the same amount as what it called for with R-12 (32 OZ R-134a with 10 OZ PAG oil... 2.9L w/ FS-6 compressor). F'in' thing blows way cold (38-40°F).

Pressure (high side mostly) will vary with ambient temperature. The low side should always remain between 22-45 PSI, the high side will probably be around 230-250 on a 90° day (at least that's the reading I had after fixing the A/C on my Ranger).

 

[warrior24]

4x4 where do I look to see what it calls for Chilton's book Because I checked the owners manual nothing about refrigerant specs and the engine compartment has no sticker. Yeah it is a conversion, it was previously converted. The liquid line and the suction line are dry rotted and leaking. Any one have any problems with getting the hoses rebuilt and crimped on instead of buying new ones, to save some cash.

 

[4x4junkie]

The refrigerant specs are supposed to be on top of the box for the evaporator coil.

What engine and model compressor does your truck have?

Edit: Ok I see you have 4.0L, is it the FS-10 comp?

 

[warrior24]

I am 95% sure its the fs10 since it looks nothing like the sd709. I got the vacuum on it right now lets keep our fingers crossed and hope it holds vacuum. So I got the rubber hoses rebuilt and crimped and the guy at the store said it would be cheaper to remove the muffler so I had him do that.

 

[warrior24]

OK update I added the r-134 about 32 oz. The outside temp is 95 degrees and while moving at approximately 45 mph the air drops down to 42 degrees. While at a stop light it goes up to 50 degrees f and while just plain idling 62 degrees f. Do these numbers sound about right?

 

[KurtC]

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[4x4junkie]

The 62° at idle sounds a little high to me, you might want to try sealing around your radiator with some foam strips or weatherstripping so that no air can come in through the gaps between the radiator and condenser. Also you might try replacing your fan clutch if it's more than 60,000 miles old, even though it may seem OK, it may not be "gripping" enough to pull sufficient air through the condenser at idle.

Did you find out what your truck called for with R-12? I do believe it's less with the 4.0L & FS-10 than with a 2.9L and FS-6 (my '94 4.0 that came factory with R-134a calls for 22oz 134a + 7oz PAG46 oil). Regardless, it sounds like you've already got it working pretty good

BTW, you can ID the FS-10 by the suction & discharge connections on the rear. The hose manifold is held on with a single bolt (the FS-6 uses two seperate manifolds on top with two bolts each).

 

[warrior24]

Really a new clutch I will do that. I also have to replace my new fan blade which lasted all of 4 months before it has as many cracks as the old one. That could also explain why my temp hit 130 the other day before I had the ac working. I chalked it up to old antifreeze "antiheat". Should I replace the clutch with one of the heavy duty cooling ones or just oem? I never did find out how much r12 it called for I gotta look in a Chilton or haydens. I asked the guy that rebuilt my hoses and he said 32 oz but he never asked about the engine size. Thanks 4x4 for all your useful information you have helped me more that I will ever be able to repay.

How about this fan it wont crack and cheap too.
http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=FLE&MfrPartNumber=1080

 

[4x4junkie]

I'd use the "heavy-duty" clutch (Hayden is a good brand) and an OEM fan blade from the Ford dealer (about $80 when I bought one for mine a couple years ago). I figured since my stock one lasted nearly 14 years (still worked, just had cracks in the hub), spending a bit more at the dealer is worth it.

I've heard horror stories about flex-fans, but I don't know a whole lot about them myself.

 

[warrior24]

UH OH I think I did it now but not sure what I did. I turn air on and I am getting both high and low pressure readings off the chart "the dial gauge". I replaced the clutch with an oem one and a metal fan blade holy cow the fan roars.

 

[AllanD]

I use 2 two 12oz cans.

24 ounces of R-134

AD

 

[4x4junkie]

BOTH gauges are running off the scale??? You got me there...

Did you hook the connections up correctly? (well, that still wouldn't make the red gauge peg out).

 

[warrior24]

Ok with the ac off the low side reads 100 and the hight side is 60. With the ac on low reads 60 and high is 125.

 

[4x4junkie]

Sounds like your gauges got messed up (they should both read the same thing with it off, around 80-100 or so IIRC).

Does it still blow cold air?