2.3L ('83-'97) Overheating with ac on

[G-ranger96]

I’ve been having trouble with overheating when I use my ac and I’m at idle, I have a 160 thermo in it and a new fan clutch but still happening, I recharged my ac and noticed my compressor was a little weak, should I leave my compressor alone and put a new rad in and clean my condenser or change my compressor. Or possibly replace all 3?

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome.

I'd start with a good flush of the engine cooling system, with just clean water first, and see what you get.

And when you do this, yes, externally clean the condenser, and the radiator fins.

It really doesn't make sense to replace parts, unless they are proven bad. New parts these days can't hold a candle, to the original parts that came on the truck.

How long has it been since the cooling system was flushed and new antifreeze put in?

 

[G-ranger96]

Welcome.

I'd start with a good flush of the engine cooling system, with just clean water first, and see what you get.

And when you do this, yes, externally clean the condenser, and the radiator fins.

It really doesn't make sense to replace parts, unless they are proven bad. New parts these days can't hold a candle, to the original parts that came on the truck.

How long has it been since the cooling system was flushed and new antifreeze put in?

Welcome.

I'd start with a good flush of the engine cooling system, with just clean water first, and see what you get.

And when you do this, yes, externally clean the condenser, and the radiator fins.

It really doesn't make sense to replace parts, unless they are proven bad. New parts these days can't hold a candle, to the original parts that came on the truck.

How long has it been since the cooling system was flushed and new antifreeze put in?

I’ve put new anti freeze in it, ran a water hose through it and flushed it several times, the truck sat for 10 years or so before I got ahold of it so it’s been flushed

 

[pentode]

FWIW when you flushed the rad, I don't suppose you took it out and flushed it backwards (reverse of normal flow direction)? I've seen cases where a surprising amount of junk came out that way- stuff that was wedged in from the normal flow but blasting it from the opposite direction knocked it loose. I'd be thinking stuff like rust flakes after sitting 10 years. If you can dump water from a garden hose at full pressure and it doesn't back up you're probably ok though.

 

[G-ranger96]

FWIW when you flushed the rad, I don't suppose you took it out and flushed it backwards (reverse of normal flow direction)? I've seen cases where a surprising amount of junk came out that way- stuff that was wedged in from the normal flow but blasting it from the opposite direction knocked it loose. I'd be thinking stuff like rust flakes after sitting 10 years. If you can dump water from a garden hose at full pressure and it doesn't back up you're probably ok though.

Yea I flushed it as best as I could when I did, made sure that coming out both ends motor and rad was clean water. I’ve done work on the truck and drained both once or twice since then and it keeps getting cleaner each time. So I don’t think flow is a problem,I can pop the cap and see it’s pumping good with the motor running.