[mdrambler]

I have a new 2015 For Transit Wagon XLT. When I test the output temp at vent I only get 50 degree air when everything is set on max. I can get the air down to the mid 40's only if the fan is on a max of 2. In all cases it takes an excessive amount of time to get the temp down to those ranges.

I have a Lexus RX 350 and a Cadillac SRX and with in about 2 minutes the vent temperature is in the mid 30's.

I brought the van in and had them service the air conditioner. They did an evac, recharge, and checked for leaks and found none. Although there was a slight improvement it was only a couple of degrees difference. Does anyone have the same problem? What is you vent output temperature? Can any one give me guidance as to what might be wrong?

 

[PeterR]

mdrambler, to assess air conditioning efficiency, one must also know the temperature of the room/vehicle air being taken in (either recirculated inside the vehicle, or the outside air temp. if you turn off the recirculation feature). I don't know what the design goals of vehicle A/C are, but a net drop of 30-40 degrees F. might be all that can be expected between the intake and output temps. IMO.

If the A/C's intake air is 80, for instance, and the design capacity is for a drop of 30, then that nets out at your 50 degree output air (until the intake temp. drops more).

That is the range of my insight into this FWIW, but you might want to assess the intake air temp. next.

 

[alarmist]

It takes a while to cool down in mine as well. Once the plumbing is cooled, it's too cold! Even on a 90º + day I have to cycle it on and off to avoid getting chilled. I have a solid ABS partition though.

 

[Chance]

Air temperature out of vents around 50F is very normal for air conditioning systems because it helps control relative humidity to a comfortable level.

Air coming out of vents in mid-30s seems unusual to me for two reasons: Air in car would get very dry and at that temperature it would be very easy for evaporator to freeze up. It can be done but would require more controls. Maybe that's why it comes that way in luxury cars.

 

[audiopyle]

Make sure there is adequate air flow through the condenser core. If you are travelling at slow speed a lot it would need the fan running to work.

 

[PeterR]

PS mdrambler, you might also calculate the volume of your XLT Wagon vs. the other two cars. If you have a longer and taller model, the volume of air might be triple or more. In my low roof short wheelbase Wagon the A/C works pretty well even if the outside air is 90 and the dark blue Wagon is sitting in the sun. Front and rear units on max. is necessary of course, and set to recirculate the inside air. Definitely burns extra gas though!

 

[carnut]

Good to know. Mediocre AC was one of the 2 reasons I didn't buy a Grand Caravan. On an 80 degree day it was barely comfortable after 15 minutes of driving. Didn't have a thermometer on me, but outlet temps didn't feel that cool even with lower fan speeds. Hate to see how it would do in 90+ temps.

Sounds like a test drive on a hot day is mandatory before considering a Transit. And, you have an interior so it should stay cooler and be easier to cool once running. I assume you have the rear AC as well?

 

[star gazer]

Mine cools very well, and the rear AC is a big help when getting in it when hot. My only complaint, and my wife just mentioned this too the other day, is the air vents don't direct downward enough without closing off. It like a 6'6" engineer designed them

 

[USMC Vet]

Mine cools very well, and the rear AC is a big help when getting in it when hot. My only complaint, and my wife just mentioned this too the other day, is the air vents don't direct downward enough without closing off. It like a 6'6" engineer designed them

star gazer,

Wonder if it is the fact that cold air settles downward, so direct it upwards to cool the entire area?

Semper Fi

 

[EddieZ]

star gazer,

Wonder if it is the fact that cold air settles downward, so direct it upwards to cool the entire area?

Semper Fi

Naw -- I think it's more like, the vent designer didn't realize the vents would be placed at such an angle on the dash.

 

[fordguy100]

A properly working R-134a system should put out cold temps. Like Chance said, you can't get below 30's for vent output without the risk of freezing the evap core. A properly working AC system should have a low side pressure that puts the evap core in the mid 30's, cold enough to cool air going over, but not cold enough to freeze. That said, what PeterR said is true, you should expect a drop in inlet temperature of X degrees (the higher the air speed over the evap core, the lower the drop temperature).

For the best cooling, use outside air until the inside temperature of the van is cooler than the outside air temp, and then use the Max AC (re-circulation door) to pull the cooler air from inside the van to push through the evap core.

When I used the AC in our van, I thought it was mediocre as well. But I didn't use it but for a minute or two, and I hear no complaints about it so it will suffice.

I would imagine Ford engineered a heater core bypass, so that when the AC is on max, it shuts off coolant flow through the heater core.

 

[ultane]

My '15 350, 3.5, long, tall, extended made ice when I first bought it a few months ago. Even when temps were >105 degrees out west, the temp of the air coming out of the AC vent never bumped up. In the last month, I've noticed that the temperature of the air coming out of the air vents when the AC is on, intermittently rises to a noticeably higher temperature, then begins to cool down again after a few moments. This happens continually, even in much lower ambient temps in the eighties and nineties.

 

[robandmandie442]

Sounds like you guys have the same issue I had. Take it to the dealer. They will have to pull the dash and change the evaporator. From what they said their was a bad batch of them.


The future isn't what it use to be.

 

[ultane]

Dislike...

 

[garandman]

Air temperature out of vents around 50F is very normal for air conditioning systems because it helps control relative humidity to a comfortable level.

Air coming out of vents in mid-30s seems unusual to me for two reasons: Air in car would get very dry and at that temperature it would be very easy for evaporator to freeze up. It can be done but would require more controls. Maybe that's why it comes that way in luxury cars.

Ditto 50 seems normal.

 

[robandmandie442]

Ditto 50 seems normal.

50 is not normal. Auto a/c is not like a/c in your house. When that vehicle sits in the sun all day it could be at temps of 130 or more depending on what part of the country you are in. So when it is working right you will get air temps in the 30s. It has to pull out that massive heat load in the interior. Remember a/c is just taking heat from inside your car and dumping it outside. Also it works much better when you are moving because you are getting a higher airflow over your condenser to remove the heat.


The future isn't what it use to be.

 

[orton]

50 is not normal. Auto a/c is not like a/c in your house. When that vehicle sits in the sun all day it could be at temps of 130 or more depending on what part of the country you are in. So when it is working right you will get air temps in the 30s. It has to pull out that massive heat load in the interior. Remember a/c is just taking heat from inside your car and dumping it outside. Also it works much better when you are moving because you are getting a higher airflow over your condenser to remove the heat.


The future isn't what it use to be.

You can reduce the 130 degree temperatures by cutting a 4" x 4" hole in the floor and installing a roof vent you can open. Hot air rises so cooler air under the van will naturally flow up into van and out the open roof vent. Not necessary to run the roof vent fan. It is very obvious when I forget to open the floor and roof vents. Know it immediately when I enter.

 

[robandmandie442]

You can reduce the 130 degree temperatures by cutting a 4" x 4" hole in the floor and installing a roof vent you can open. Hot air rises so cooler air under the van will naturally flow up into van and out the open roof vent. Not necessary to run the roof vent fan. It is very obvious when I forget to open the floor and roof vents. Know it immediately when I enter.

Why would anyone cut a hole in the floor of their brand new van? That does not solve the their A/C issue one bit. Bring in warm humid air from under the truck along with the exhaust heat. Also A/C removes heat it does not make it colder.


The future isn't what it use to be.

 

[orton]

Why would anyone cut a hole in the floor of their brand new van? That does not solve the their A/C issue one bit. Bring in warm humid air from under the truck along with the exhaust heat. Also A/C removes heat it does not make it colder.


The future isn't what it use to be.

Because it works.

 

[EddieZ]

Because it works.

I don't think so. You've kind of got tunnel vision on your own favorite mods. I DO accept that your floor vent would work well, when parked. But, the question is about effectiveness of AC, which, generally, implies driving. I don't think anyone is going to be happy driving down the road with a floor vent open.