Air conditioner upgrade/troubleshoot!

[SonoranLC]

Hey all!

2000 land cruiser owner with 166k.

Have a problem with my AC..big problem in Arizona!

-Does not get cold when sitting

-Seems to work ok when on freeway--but I wouldn't say good

Does this point to probably the fan clutch? What is the preferred unit for the 100 series? There seems to be a lot of information out there on 80 series...any way to "upgrade" or "supercharge" the AC system?

Maybe most importantly, what else can I do to make sure it is in tip top shape for the 120* heat next week??!?!?

Thanks!

 

[nissanh]

Most likely you have low freon in the system: No AC at idle and with high rpm, AC is fine is a good indication on low freon.

Make sure to clean the AC condenser, trans cooler and radiator fins. MAke sure nothing is stuck on those fins. Wash it with water, but apply the stream of water 90 degrees to the fins otherwise the fins can bend.

Check the glass window on the AC system (located in front of the transmission cooler on the high side AC). It should not bubble when the compressor is engaged. Soon after disengaging the AC clutch, you should see bubbles inside that glass window and then it should clear out.

Additionally check the fan clutch and drive belt.

 

[BullElk]

Make sure to clean the AC condenser, trans cooler and radiator fins. MAke sure nothing is stuck on those fins. Wash it with water, but apply the stream of water 90 degrees to the fins otherwise the fins can bend.

Check the glass window on the AC system (located in front of the transmission cooler on the high side AC). It should not bubble when the compressor is engaged. Soon after disengaging the AC clutch, you should see bubbles inside that glass window and then it should clear out

^^^^^ That. I doubt low freon is the issue. Make sure all parts are clean. Also, any idea what your coolant temp is? It may be getting too hot, like 220* while sitting and cutting off A/C, which it is designed to do. Radiator may need cleaning as well or replacing.

 

[Spike555]

A/C only works when air is moving past the condenser, that is the radiator in front of the engine radiator.
You can buy a DIY a/c recharge kit for $20, it will have a gauge on it, that will tell you if you need refrigerant or not, you probably need 'some'.

With the engine stone cold, i.e. sat over night, how easily can you spin the clutch fan? It should be stiff but able to spin. If it spins freely it is bad.
Same with when it is hot, after driving and the engine has reached full temp, is the fan easy to spin by hand? It should be stiff. If not, it is bad. You can get a brand new OEM on Amazon for $80, aftermarket brand for $50.

If you want to "supercharge" your a/c for city traffic in Arizona heat you will need to add a electric a/c fan behind the grill, ideally that fan will cycle on/off with the a/c compressor, just like on a front wheel drive car, they don't have clutch fans.
But you can wire it and put a switch on the dash, you turn the fan on/off as needed.
Without adding a electric fan you will need to increase your engine RPM to make the a/c cool better while in traffic, transmission in neutral, left foot on brake, right foot on throttle, increase RPM to 1200-1500rpm and hold, a/c will get cold, assuming that your clutch fan is working properly and is pulling air past the a/c condenser.

 

[nissanh]

Cruiser has an electric fan for the condenser so there is no need for an additional one.
Stay with OEM or Aisin fan clutch. Aftermarket is too loud.

 

[Spike555]

Cruiser has an electric fan for the condenser so there is no need for an additional one.
Stay with OEM or Aisin fan clutch. Aftermarket is too loud.

Maybe his electric fan is bad. In that case, replacing it would solve his problem.
AISIN is OEM for the fan clutch.
It's not the fan clutch that makes it loud, its the fan. If you install a heavy duty fan clutch, then the fan will run more often, and it will be loud.

 

[SonoranLC]

Are there heavy duty fan clutches I don't know about?

What's reasonable labor time for a fan clutch install?

 

[flintknapper]

Are there heavy duty fan clutches I don't know about?

What's reasonable labor time for a fan clutch install?

1 Hour should be plenty.

 

[Spike555]

Are there heavy duty fan clutches I don't know about?

What's reasonable labor time for a fan clutch install?

I'm sure there is, but I'd stay away from one unless you're towing all the time in high temps.
HD fan clutch's lock up sooner and run the fan at a high RPM so as to pull more air, but the locking up sooner and running the fan at higher RPM reduces MPG.

 

[re_guderian]

If you want to "supercharge" your a/c for city traffic in Arizona heat you will need to add a electric a/c fan behind the grill, ideally that fan will cycle on/off with the a/c compressor, just like on a front wheel drive car, they don't have clutch fans.
But you can wire it and put a switch on the dash, you turn the fan on/off as needed.
Without adding a electric fan you will need to increase your engine RPM to make the a/c cool better while in traffic, transmission in neutral, left foot on brake, right foot on throttle, increase RPM to 1200-1500rpm and hold, a/c will get cold, assuming that your clutch fan is working properly and is pulling air past the a/c condenser.

Early 100's had an OEM electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. Dropped in '03, or maybe '02? My '00 has it, my '04 doesn't.

 

[Spike555]

Early 100's had an OEM electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. Dropped in '03, or maybe '02? My '00 has it, my '04 doesn't.

If I were him, thats where I'd start.
I was not aware that the early ones had a condenser fan otherwise I would've mentioned it right away.

 

[tacoduck]

check the freon level... thats my guess.

 

[bluesquirrel]

Early 100's had an OEM electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. Dropped in '03, or maybe '02? My '00 has it, my '04 doesn't.

Funny, my 98 does not have this. Was it optional, or added with the rear A/C?

 

[medtro]

Early 100's had an OEM electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. Dropped in '03, or maybe '02? My '00 has it, my '04 doesn't.

I have seen a 2002 LX470 with electric fan. My guess is it was dropped in 2003.

 

[bmw635]

Are there heavy duty fan clutches I don't know about?

What's reasonable labor time for a fan clutch install?

The 80 series fan clutch can be upgraded to thicker silicone fluid so it will lock up sooner since it doesn't have aux fan for the condenser by splitting the clutch in half and adding this Toyota silicone fluid.

 

[Bardiya]

Had the same problem and it is a really big one here in the UAE with 140F heat in traffic.
Recharged freon and washed the condesnsor and it's fine for now.

 

[Bardiya]

Funny, my 98 does not have this. Was it optional, or added with the rear A/C?

It only comes with the rear ac I believe

 

[Muddy Bean]

My 98 doesn't have it either. There's a tech article here somewhere about adding one.

 

[PDPerry]

Early 100's had an OEM electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. Dropped in '03, or maybe '02? My '00 has it, my '04 doesn't.

My '98 doesn't, and rear AC wasn't an option.

Hell, there weren't any options available. Fully loaded or nuth'n...

 

[SonoranLC]

Anybody have a correct part number for the electric pusher fan?

Thanks!