A/C, air conditioner, air conditioning

[Wolfy]

I have used the 3 phrasings in the subject-line in an attempt to make this thread "search"-friendly.



I have placed it here in the engine/trans sub-forum based (perhaps tenuously) on the fact that the new engines may have differing relationships between engine manifolds, A/C ducting, etc. , than older models, which may cause cooling "issues".



Brief discussion of A/C performance has appeared in several loosely-related threads, and are difficult to locate with a search.



This thread is provided as a focal-point for such discussion, for easier reference.



Some have complained that the new rigs have less than satisfactory A/C performance.



Further comment on this topic is sought/encouraged.



Thanks for any responses/discussion.

 

[DPKetchum]

Ac performance is poor in lots of these trucks and hs been since 03. Ought to be a lot in archives to read.

 

[Black Ram Alpha]

I've had problems with my 03 evaperater leaking . The dealer is worthless on this one and denies it. I have a A/c gas detector and it does leak. It leaks about one can of 134 a year, so I just top it off once a year. This system will default to the drivers side when it get low and blow warmer on the passengers side by about 10 degrees. (I use a digital thermostat).
Rear drive vehicles have a harder time pulling air through the condenser because of the raidator fan speed varies with the engine speed. Installing an electric fan in front of it all will help with constant air movement. The newer 134a systems are not as cold as the old R-12 systems. They changed over in 1993 in most cars. (A/c was one of the topics I taught when I used to teach auto shop in HS) Hope this helps some. -Dan

 

[RVTRKN]

I've had problems with my 03 evaperater leaking . The dealer is worthless on this one and denies it. I have a A/c gas detector and it does leak. It leaks about one can of 134 a year, so I just top it off once a year. This system will default to the drivers side when it get low and blow warmer on the passengers side by about 10 degrees. (I use a digital thermostat).

Rear drive vehicles have a harder time pulling air through the condenser because of the raidator fan speed varies with the engine speed. Installing an electric fan in front of it all will help with constant air movement. The newer 134a systems are not as cold as the old R-12 systems. They changed over in 1993 in most cars. (A/c was one of the topics I taught when I used to teach auto shop in HS) Hope this helps some. -Dan

Any AC will seems like it sucks in Bakersfield, but these trucks do have sucky AC, but you should go to another dealer before warranty is up. Your Dealer there has a customer relation problem, and recommend you see the factory rep.

 

[JoelMartin]

Black Ram Alpha if you are talking about Haddad dodge i would recommend going to a different dealer. I bought my truck there and was not impressed with anything except the price. The dealer in Valencia might be better.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

A/c

Guys, my 03 has had no A/C maintenance. We were snowbirds for the last four years, bought the 03 in Tacoma WA. Moved to Az. full time last Sept.

I always thought the 03 had a sucky A/C also.

PUT THE control nob on RECirculation mode, it'll run you out of the cab... . unless your A/C is of course not operating correctly. Recirculation mode in my 03 will freeze your dice off.



Bill

 

[DPKetchum]

Lucky one!

 

[Wolfy]

PUT THE control nob on RECirculation mode, it'll run you out of the cab... . unless your A/C is of course not operating correctly. Recirculation mode in my 03 will freeze your dice off.

Bill

I hope that the complaints are not originating with people who are not aware of this.



It is my understanding (limited!) that the A/C unit takes air in, cools it, and puts it out at a reasonably small(4 deg. ?) temperature reduction.



It then takes this "cooled" air in, and reduces it by about the same 4 degrees, AGAIN, for a total effect of 8 degree reduction,... etc. , etc.



Obviously, if the first "cooled" air flies out the open window or vent,... then the intake air will always be the ambient temperature,... and the output will never be more than 4 degrees(or whatever) cooler than ambient temperature.



I. e. , there will be no cumulative(increasing) cooling effect without "RE-circulation".



Correction or elaboration welcome.

 

[jcarey]

PUT THE control nob on RECirculation mode, it'll run you out of the cab



Agree! We always use recirc. You don't want to keep pulling in warm/hot air. My wife will turn off her vents it gets so cool.

 

[thartz52]

Does anyone know which port to use for charging the AC in my 03. Just after a quick look I see one up near the radiator support and another near the firewall. I am assuming its the one near the firewall but just want to be sure. Just FYI im having the warmer passenger side temp issue that I read about above. Thanks

 

[drury]

It's the one near the firewall. But actually you don't have to worry about it. The fittings are two different sizes so you can't screw up.

 

[thartz52]

Thanks for the help drury. I dropped a can in and its workin great.

 

[Giachino]

I live in AZ... . AC Needed this week as it's 106*..... use the recirc mode, it's much more effective...

 

[RVTRKN]

Compared to the GMC I had to drive because company likes GMC, it would cool down 4 times faster than the Ram. These AC's suck on our Rams and is the only thing I don't like about them. If you are happy with the AC's on the Rams then its a bonus for you, because these trucks out work any other brand. They may not be faster (D/A) and have less dash goodies (PS) but, they haul like no other and for 250,000 miles easy. I think I can wait a little longer than the other trucks to cool down when I know it will get the job done with ease and last forever even at CGVW ratings.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Always ran the AC in recirc on my '03, blew nice cold air out of the vents, but circulation around the cab seemed to be poorly designed. Basically had hot and cold spots, it felt as though you were in an old house with poor insulation. I came to the conclusion half the problem was the truck had less sound & thermal insulation than the '01 I traded for it, since it cooled noticeably better. Two things making it more difficult for the 3rd Gen as well is larger cabin size and more glass area letting sun in, so IMO it's a combination of factors.

 

[jcarey]

We always run the AC in recirc on our '04. 5. Plenty of cold air, even in 90+ temps.



Now I don't know about in the back seat, but up front there's plenty of cold air. While I'm in a t-shirt, my wife's in a sweater... :-laf

 

[JSmole]

When I run the A/C here I have it recycling the inside cab air. My system seems to cool as well as my other truck. Even on the 100 plus days it cools well, but is slow to get there.

Looking at some of the A/C components under the hood, some are pretty close to the turbo. Has anyone tried a heat shield or reflector for these tubes and the tank? After my hour long drive home from work at the current day time temperatures (100's) those items are pretty warm, other vehicles I have seen these A/C lines/tank frosted over.

I have some sheet Aluim. that is . 020 thick, thought about bending up some sheet metal to help block some of the heat to see if this helps in producing cooler air inside the cab.

Just wondering if anyone has tried something like this yet, don't know if it will cause to much ice formation.

 

[MChildress]

I just noticed the other day the vents on the passenger side blow warmer air than the vents on the drivers side with the ac on. I'm just wondering if there is a flap that is not opening all the way.

 

[LesStallings]

Yes, you have the typical problem, much discussed in the "no engine -transmission" forum.



The repair is around $1,000.

 

[Wferenz]

Air conditioner fix. Purchased my 2006 QC 4X4 in December of 2006. The air conditioner was 50% of what my old 98. 5 put out. It would take at least two miles of driving to get any real cold air. I just thought it was a re-engineered 'new' design with less performance and put up with it. About 3 months ago there was a pulsating vibration in the cab when the fan was on the highest two speeds (like the air compression vibration when running at high speed with the windows partially down). Mentioned this when I took it in for scheduled maintenance and was told "there was debris in the unit".



A few hours later received a call from the dealer saying there was a new 'door housing' available (don't think they mentioned TSB) and they needed a few more hours to do the installation... I said go for it.



After I settled my portion of the bill (new housing was a 'no charge') they called to have the truck brought around front (about 150 yards). When I got in you could have hung meat in the cab... it was freezing! The repaired unit has worked flawlessly this summer and is far better than the 98. 5. The darn thing was broken when I purchased the truck and dumb dumb (could not figure how to put the blame on the wife or dog) didn't do anything about it!!!!



Wayne