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Transmission cooler in front of condenser

Gectwo on Fri August 14, 2015 3:54 PM User is offline

Year: 1998
Make: Ford
Model: E150
Engine Size: 5.4
Refrigerant Type: R134
Ambient Temp: 90
Country of Origin: United States

Here's my situation. 2 years ago I placed a high capacity transmission cooler in front of the condenser. I wasn't thinking about the impact on the ac performance and quite honestly it seemed to perform adequately. Last summer and especially this summer I was only getting moderately cool air.

I just spent $1000 on a new one compressor, condenser, orifice tube, drier. Today it's 90* and blowing 65* air.

The shop says everything is good with the system and they claimed 40* air.

Is it likely that I need to relocate the cooler in order to see cooler Temps out of my vents?

HECAT on Fri August 14, 2015 6:12 PM User is offline

Was the shop seeing those vent temps with a big fan in front of it? Do you see lower vent temps when the van is moving? Why did the compressor get changed? If you mist some water on the condenser, do the vent temps drop?

Have you seen the air/over trans oil coolers and power steering coolers located in front of the condenser on more modern Ford trucks? Going from adequate, to poor , to worse over the last three years makes me think something is/was changing; and the oil cooler is probably not it. Slow Refrigerant leak, Clutch fan wear, debris buildup in the heat exchanger stack, etc.

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FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

Gectwo on Fri August 14, 2015 7:32 PM User is offline

The compressor was changed because they said it was weak. I will call them tomorrow to ask about the fans. And I will try misting water over the condenser. As far as better Temps when moving, yes. But marginally better. We drove to Florida last weekend. 75 MPh for hours. AC on max, fan speed 3 front and rear. I would say it got cool. It was probably 90* outside with 7 people in the van. Nobody ever said it's too cold.

I'll report back with my findings this weekend.

Thanks for your help

Gectwo on Fri August 14, 2015 7:45 PM User is offline

When you ask about debris in the heat exchanger stack... Are you talking about the transmission cooler?

HECAT on Fri August 14, 2015 10:14 PM User is offline

Debris (dirt, grime, weeds, paper, etc.) in the air path thru the cooler, condenser, radiator; or build ups between them.

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

Gectwo on Sun August 16, 2015 11:59 AM User is offline

so today i put a fan in front of the van (not industrial but maybe better than nothing) and took some more readings . Any help interpreting these is greatly appreciated:

The OAT was 80*

My readings at idle with MAX and HI Fan settings Low-47/High-180/vent 55*
MAX FAN 2 LOW 44/ HIGH 180/ VENT 51*

Then i brought RPM up to about 1800 RPM MAX HI Low 45/ high 270/ 53* vent
MAX FAN 2: LOW 39/ HIGH 245/ VENT 50*

Then more readings at idle MAX - HI LOW 50/ HIGH 200/ VENT 58*
MAX-2 LOW 46/ HIGH 195/ VENT 55*


Sorry about the terrible formatting. I tried to attach a word graph document but couldnt figure it out.

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