I hear ya...especially about that r4. Mine hums and rattles. I thought my first one was bad but they all seem to do this.
CK5
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Parallel Flow Condenser
- Thread starter nutt7
- Start date
I hear ya...especially about that r4. Mine hums and rattles. I thought my first one was bad but they all seem to do this.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
When I bought my new condensor for the Burb, I asked about the 134 freon and what type the new condensor was and whatnot, It's been quite awhile now, so I don't remember everything that was said, but I was informed that the replacement unit was designed for 134 freon. There was also a factory type sticker from the place that built it that said it was for 134 only.
As to what type it is, well, I don't know right off, as the truck is about 1200 miles away from me at the moment..
As to what type it is, well, I don't know right off, as the truck is about 1200 miles away from me at the moment..
I thought mine was on it's way out for like 8 years, but the death growl never got any worse. I used to tap the gas at stop lights and bring the idle up until that noise went away because it's embarrassing. I've seen some posts on line with people returning multiple rebuilds because they were just as noisy as the one they were replacing. Do these things have loose rod bearings or something?
EDIT: I just got the system running with a used (new to me) R-4 Compressor and it's really quiet (yes it is working). Weird.
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When I bought my new condensor for the Burb, I asked about the 134 freon and what type the new condensor was and whatnot, It's been quite awhile now, so I don't remember everything that was said, but I was informed that the replacement unit was designed for 134 freon. There was also a factory type sticker from the place that built it that said it was for 134 only.
As to what type it is, well, I don't know right off, as the truck is about 1200 miles away from me at the moment..
All the ones I could find at the parts stores here were piccolo. They do work with r134a, it's just the parallel flow ones are supposedly better. I just need to install my new accumulator and I will get my a/c charged and post back temperature results compared to the original.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Subscribed. Great info.
So running the system last night in the driveway (about 85F ambient), I noticed that while the condenser inlet is scorching hot, I can hold my hand on the outlet - it doesn't feel any warmer than everything else underhood. Maybe I don't have that much to gain with a more modern condenser? Tweaked so the evap inlet just barely frosts on lower fan speeds, the low side is cold all the way to the compressor, with vent temps at 45F. I hear about lower numbers than that, but I don't think the condenser is my limiting factor here. I guess if I ever go back to R-134 I'll have to look into it again. On this ES-134, the high side is only about 150psi under these conditions. All the major pieces are stock - just a VoV, tweaked pressure switch and Windstar fans.
I just got my AC changed to R134… 89 K5. Changed everything but the condenser … 95 degrees outside, the truck cools decent if moving…not so good standing still. I need to change to Parallel flow condenser. Does anyone know a direct fit… I guess the ACDelco 15-6960 Condenser is not a direct fit
What condenser do I get. Don’t want to adapt to drill holes..
What condenser do I get. Don’t want to adapt to drill holes..
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
This is what I have always said, from personal experience. I used to use my truck for work, driving it around for package delivery, similar to FedEx or UPS.
The AC would do fine if constantly moving, that would mean a higher volumn of air over that condensor, but would warm up to evap/swamp cooler temps when in heavy traffic, or city stop light to stop light type driving. The engine fan just did not pull enough air over it to keep everything cool.
I even tried adding an external electric fan to try and help it out, still not enough for some reason.
BUT, my mothers '94 that came from the factory with 134a system does great at any speed and outside temp, as does this '05 Avalanche, this one actually gets too cold at times to where you have to turn the vents away from blowing directly on you.
Even better was freeway driving, it would definitely get cold then.
I have played with AC systems in all my vehicles here in Arizona, the only conclusion I ever came to when trying to get older systems to work good, is set them up with the correct components with the type of gas being used.
134a freon will work in a system designed for r12, but it WON'T get as cold as it should/could be under normal circumstances, unless the condensor, mainly is swapped out for one designed for 134a.
My AC Delco parallel flow and windstar fans are installed now. Previously, in stop and go traffic, I was at a swampy (4xcrazy knows) 75 degrees. With the new condenser AND electric fans, I am at 60 degrees in 105 degree heat. Moving around in normal driving used to be 62, now is 57. Highway driving used to be 58, now is at 50, again in about 105 degree heat. all these temps were measured with the fan on high.
Vents got as low as 40 degrees when its 90-95 out. highest temp after extended driving, then extended idling: 62 degrees.
These are the best average estimates I can give right now, as I have only put 50 miles or so on the truck since I finished.
I would say it made a significant difference
. Before you say it's due to the fans, check the highway driving where the fans are irrelevant. Obviously there are other variables too...I put in a new o-tube, cycle switch, and accumulator, charge may be different pressures, etc. So take it for what it's worth! Now I just need more air volume coming out the vents! My high is like the "2" out of 4 on my wife's 05 tacoma!
Vents got as low as 40 degrees when its 90-95 out. highest temp after extended driving, then extended idling: 62 degrees.
These are the best average estimates I can give right now, as I have only put 50 miles or so on the truck since I finished.
I would say it made a significant difference
. Before you say it's due to the fans, check the highway driving where the fans are irrelevant. Obviously there are other variables too...I put in a new o-tube, cycle switch, and accumulator, charge may be different pressures, etc. So take it for what it's worth! Now I just need more air volume coming out the vents! My high is like the "2" out of 4 on my wife's 05 tacoma!
I wouldn't put a rush on that...those temps sound very comfortable. If it would get down to 85 here, I would compare what my vents would be...but then again our systems aren't set up identically.
It's nice to see some real numbers. I will have to measure vent temps again while driving and also when the weather gets hotter.
I'm starting to think the way to set up the A/C is to go grab the biggest parallel flow condenser in the junkyard that will fit, likewise pick a good compressor, bolt everything up then go have custom lines built. As long as you get the hoses from both donor vehicles, that cost shouldn't be too high.
I've also wondered what there is to gain by blocking airflow around the condenser. Could be a bad move for engine cooling - don't know.
I'm starting to think the way to set up the A/C is to go grab the biggest parallel flow condenser in the junkyard that will fit, likewise pick a good compressor, bolt everything up then go have custom lines built. As long as you get the hoses from both donor vehicles, that cost shouldn't be too high.
I've also wondered what there is to gain by blocking airflow around the condenser. Could be a bad move for engine cooling - don't know.
I know someone makes misters for that reason...I thought about blocking off parts to direct flow through the condenser too but worried about how much of the radiator will get blocked...with the windstar fans as-is, I can drop a leaf a foot in front of my oil cooler and it will stick to it. The oil cooler is an inch in front of the condenser, which is an inch in front of the radiator where the fans are...and even those don't have a perfect seal to pull air in. For now, I am happy...maybe later.
I have a parallel condensor on the way, picked up the new hose today, new, not reman, compressor will be here next week...crossing my fingers.
nutt7, check the foam seals on the ductwork behind the dash. They leak badly when they deteriorate...
Also maybe it's time for a new fan motor...
nutt7, check the foam seals on the ductwork behind the dash. They leak badly when they deteriorate...
Also maybe it's time for a new fan motor...
I have a parallel condensor on the way, picked up the new hose today, new, not reman, compressor will be here next week...crossing my fingers.
nutt7, check the foam seals on the ductwork behind the dash. They leak badly when they deteriorate...
Also maybe it's time for a new fan motor...
I already taped 'em up, it made a difference...some spots are impossible to get to without ripping everything out.
Has anyone tried a new fan motor? Do they blow hardcore? I remember reading that a 94 ext cab truck fans were legit, but parts stores have them all under the same part number as ours.
I meant new as in one that is not from 1989...
I know, I know! The ones from the newer trucks are rumored to push more air and are a perfect fit. So I would order one for a newer truck, but I think they have the same part number as ours iirc.
hmm. different...I pulled one from a 90s truck to compare to mine and the mounting was the exact same
. Didn't buy it though...Eh, I will go with what I know fits.I know for sure my condenser is the issue. I have my complete AC swap done a year ago… drove it up to the AC shop the other day just to have him check pressure, etc. He said everything was correct..no leaks, etc.
While driving up there with a cold motor (only about 3-4 mile drive) 85 degrees outside .. my vents got down to 38”. After the truck and condenser were warmed up… I couldn’t get any lower than 55-60…while moving. Once stopped it would warm up to 70 or so. I probably only drive this truck 4 thousand miles per year… maybe 2 thousands over the months I would need AC… defiantly not a daily truck. I’m thinking it’s not worth the hassle for me….It’s bearable right now and at least keeps me from sweating. But at least I know what the issue is in case I want to fix it in the future.
Another thing to – the K5’s by nature are going to be the hardest to cool down…. The volume of interior space is close to triple a than a regular cab K truck. And it doesn’t have rear AC like the Suburban to help.
While driving up there with a cold motor (only about 3-4 mile drive) 85 degrees outside .. my vents got down to 38”. After the truck and condenser were warmed up… I couldn’t get any lower than 55-60…while moving. Once stopped it would warm up to 70 or so. I probably only drive this truck 4 thousand miles per year… maybe 2 thousands over the months I would need AC… defiantly not a daily truck. I’m thinking it’s not worth the hassle for me….It’s bearable right now and at least keeps me from sweating. But at least I know what the issue is in case I want to fix it in the future.
Another thing to – the K5’s by nature are going to be the hardest to cool down…. The volume of interior space is close to triple a than a regular cab K truck. And it doesn’t have rear AC like the Suburban to help.
