My wife has an AC question

[Fullsizeyota]

[wife] why doesnt my ac work?[wife]

We have an 88 FJ62, is this system R12 or R134??

I have 1 can of R12 if need be.

The AC works occasionally. I say occasionally because it's very hit and miss. Temperature doesn't effect this.

When your driving, you can hit the AC button and the ac will pump and work for anywhere from 10 seconds - 20 minutes then the belt starts squeeling.. I would think a junk pump would be pretty consistant about not working. It blows pretty cold when it is working.

Sometimes i can put the truck in neutral and run the rpms up to ~2500-3k and the pump will start working again but it's only another minute at the most.

This is very frustraiting as its getting 100* already.. The 62 with all the glass feels like a damn greenhouse

If i do need a pump, what do they run?? I'd rather not open the system if its R12 but i guess if it needs a pump i'm stuck

 

[fastjim11]

Have you checked to see if the belt has the proper tension? A loose belt will do what you describe, as the compressor begins to circulate the freon, the pressures will build and it has to work harder putting more load/strain on the belt hence the squeeling. If its slipping from the start the compressor will not be working at peak performance.

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! Most cars before 1994 were all R-12 originally. The freon is also the lubricant for the pump, so if you are low, then it will not perform consistantly. If your rig has the sight glass on top of the accumulator?, then run the AC and watch for air bubbles. The one can you have may, or may not, be enough. John

 

[Texx]

This really can't be too hard. Your FJ62 came with R12 refrigerant. You need to begin by inspecting the belt, probably replacing it, and make sure you have the right tension. That may completely solve the problem. If the belt's slipping, the compressor isn't turning, and you won't get cooling. If the compressor is locked up and on the way out, you'll need to replace it, along with the drier, and have the system converted to 134. There are also replacements for the original refrigerant like freeze 12. Chances are, you just need to take it to a shop and have the work done, if you're unsure about your abilities. Cold truck, happy(er) wife.

 

[rodcarolino]

do also check the pilot bearing

 

[KLF]

I'll echo on putting a new belt on it, it's cheap, then set the tension. Also remove the pilot tensioner pulley, make sure the bearing is OK.

The truck is probably still on R12, but it may have already been converted to R143a. If there is no sticker, then the easy way to tell is to look for the conversion adapters on the connectors on top of the compressor. No adapters = no conversion.

 

[4xoddic]

Your FJ62 came with R12 refrigerant.

My 88 FJ62 has had R12 added ONCE in the 18 years I've had it. Believe I would pay the $$$ to keep that refrigerant (R12) in it if possible.

 

[inkpot]

My 88 FJ62 has had R12 added ONCE in the 18 years I've had it. Believe I would pay the $$$ to keep that refrigerant (R12) in it if possible.

Howdy! Anything is possible, but is it economically reasonable? R134a goes for less than $10 a pound, while R12 is anywhere from $75 - 100+ and going up since it is not being produced any more. John

 

[Joshua993]

Howdy! Anything is possible, but is it economically reasonable? R134a goes for less than $10 a pound, while R12 is anywhere from $75 - 100+ and going up since it is not being produced any more. John

x2 on that. I got a quote on Monday from one of two places in my home town that will still do R12 service, for $380 to recharge my A/C, if it's not leaking.

Today, I ordered a Freeze12 kit. 4 bottles of freeze12, 1 bottle leak check/stop, hoses and fittings. $39.99, plus $16 to expedite.

R12 is by far the best, keep it if you have the means, but it's too rich for my blood!

JT

 

[cruiser88]

My 88 FJ62 has had R12 added ONCE in the 18 years I've had it. Believe I would pay the $$$ to keep that refrigerant (R12) in it if possible.

x2.....

 

[inkpot]

x2 on that. I got a quote on Monday from one of two places in my home town that will still do R12 service, for $380 to recharge my A/C, if it's not leaking.

Today, I ordered a Freeze12 kit. 4 bottles of freeze12, 1 bottle leak check/stop, hoses and fittings. $39.99, plus $16 to expedite.

R12 is by far the best, keep it if you have the means, but it's too rich for my blood!

JT

Howdy! Keep us posted on how well the Freeze 12 works. I have read a bit on it, but I am undecided if I want to try to do that on my mini truck. It was working OK, but the freon leaked out after some work on the engine and radiator. Plus my dash controls are a bit buggered up, so I need to tear into that too. NOt too concerned, as I have only had a good AC system on my various daily drivers for about 3 of the 24 years I have lived here. I don't really sunburn anymore, and I don't really sweat much ( compared to everyone else around me), so I guess either I'm turning native, or maybe I'm dead? Good luck with the Freeze 12. John

 

[1972FJ55]

It sounds like the current problem could very well be the belt.

Some things to consider when changing to a product like Freeze12:
1) These are blend refrigerants, so once introduced, contaminate the system, requiring added cost to future repairs-unless you vent it to the atmosphere-not good.
2) When the EPA certifies these refrigerants, they don't care how well the product cools, they want to make sure it's safe and that it's effect on climate change is minimal.
3) All compressor manufacturers will only warranty products for use with R12 or R134.
4) R12 is still readily available-$28/12oz can.

For what it's worth, when I was looking to buy the 60 I now own, the PO went on about how well the A/C worked-now this was in March, so it was hard to really test it. A month or so ago, I decided to identify the refrigerant-yep, contaminated-R134, R12, R22 and Hydrocarbons! It does work-but it's marginal when it's 104 outside. How much better will it be when I put R12 back in it? I'll find out in the next month or so....
Good Luck!
Rex

 

[CruisinFJ60]

i converted my fj60 over to R134a and it blows out at 36*F on a 100+ day in the direct sunlight...
same for my buddies fj62 that i converted for him, his actually will blow as cold as 33*F in same conditions and he also has a brown truck as opposed to white.

 

[Fullsizeyota]

33*??? that almost sounds too good to be true. We live in Southern Utah, its knocking on the door of 100 already. Last year we had one day that was 118* thats a hot mother.

This is probably the stupidest question i have ever asked on a public BB.
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Where the hell is the tensioner bolt for the AC belt??? The belt goes around the crank, to the ac compressor and over a smaller tensioner pulley that is approx. 2.5" around. I couldnt find the tensioner bolt for it.. I only looked for a minute.

 

[mpotter]

It's a helluva' lot easier to tighten the a/c belt from under the vehicle. Remove the front rock shield under the front of the engine. The tensioner bolt points toward the ground behind the small tensioner pulley. Use a long extension.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

33*??? that almost sounds too good to be true. We live in Southern Utah, its knocking on the door of 100 already. Last year we had one day that was 118* thats a hot mother.

it doesnt blow that cold all the time that is just the best i have been able to record it at. generally both my truck and his will blow at around 40*f when driving on freeway. then after driving for a while with recirc on and after the sun begins to turn to dusk (tho rember still sunlight outside) is when the low temps have been reached.