A/C advice, not blowing cold again after 2 yrs

[wayfarers43]

Hi, need advice on my '94 Mark VIII. Had system "tested and recharged" at a Jiffy Lube two summers ago, now the a/c does not blow cold again , just
outside temp (thank God not hot, after reading some of these posts on the forum).

This isn't addressed on the forum. Should I get a can of $9.99 R134 and recharge again myself--and how do I do--or go through the expense of testing and recharging again ? I feel like I am at the mercy of service stations and dealerships. BTW, I live in Minnesota, need air J, J and August and the rest of the year it's turned off. Also, I do turn it on and off in the winter, like I was trained about 20 years ago. Is this ok ?

 

[my95mark8]

.oops...double post

 

[my95mark8]

Have someone add leak detector to see if you have a leak. Also, just because it doesn't work, doesn't mean there is no refrigerant in there. Could be other things causing this.

 

[JMiles_T]

Have it leak tested. I also suggest letting a shop do a full evacuation before putting more refrigerant in the system. Let them do the recharge.

As a side note, you said you leave the a/c off most of the year. I remember the manual saying the system should be run at least 10 minutes per month. I'm sorry but I don't remember why.

 

[Brozly]

I bought mine from my son, who drove it about 4yrs., he never had cold air, I just added a recharge and it's been fine,... also, if you set it on auto, it seems to Mix hot with cold air even in the winter...

 

[Staffamerica74]

The A/C system isnt made to blow cold air. Its supposed to take heat out of the car .

 

[94mark8]

my mark viii a/c is fine, but i was just wondering if i should have it serviced just as a preventative thing?

 

[turborich]

It is normal for an A/C system to lose up to 8 oz of refrigerant a year. I'm not saying that all cars will, however it is ok. If you do not have a set of gauges then go and buy 1 can of r134-a and slowly charge it on the LOW SIDE ONLY. The adapter you buy should only fit on the correct charging port. Anyways I would put about half a can in and see if this cools it down. If it helps then continue charging until its nice and cold. Use a thermometer in the vent and monitor the temp, You want to get it as cold as you can, as soon as the temp starts to rise stop charging it! That is the sweet spot that will really make your A/C cold. Ford A/C systems seem to blow colder if they are just a tad bit under charged. There is no need to have the system evacuated if it hasn't been open. One more thing, Just before you hook up the charging hose turn the can tap on for just a second to remove any air in the line. If you can see a visable leak (oil leaking) from a hose or such then you might want to add an ounce or two of the correct oil. They sell a r134-a/oil charge also. GOOD LUCK!!!