Our AC system SUCKS

Magic, probably should take it to trained professionals

 

Sequoias come with an electric fan right from the factory. They have mechanical fans as well. Must be a reason for it. Just saying.

 

In South Georgia, I routinely park on a hot asphalt parking lot with outside temp at 90 to 100 degrees and AC running for an hour at the time. Ice cubes blowing from the vents the entire time. I'm the original owner of the truck, and I have always kept the truck well maintained. No complaints. You've heard the saying, "Hotter than Georgia asphalt"?

 

All I know is that I put about half a can of All pro with the gauge and it went from blowing hot air to dam near blowing ice

 

But where did the refrigerant go that you had to put more in?

 

I don't judge. There have been many reports of low refrigerent levels right from the factory.

 

Thankfully out of all the automotive things, I did get certified in AC (10 years ago lol).

You pull a vacuum on the system, you suck everything out basically and any air (should really be just r134a and no air) You ensure she holds the vacuum, if not you need to find the leak. Once you verify she is solid, you dial in the CORRECT amount of oil and charge the system to the CORRECT spec. Otherwise you may blow it up.

 

Don't know or care, I live in Cali, it was 104 today and my AC blows crazy cold, I'm not an AC guy so I'm not familiar with all the dynamics, all I know is 30 bucks and 5 seconds of time, bam, cold as ice

 

Definitely not the proper, nor the reccomended way to charge the system.

 

I am also certified. The kit in the picture I responded to does not show equipment to capture any existing freon, assuming there is still freon in the system, as is required by federal law. Existing freon is to be captured, recycled, and put back into the system after any leaks are repaired.

 

Atmosphere.

I can’t believe all of the stupidity on this. These aren’t completely sealed never to fail systems. They use o-rings which over time can leak. If it leaks in days, weeks or a few months you need service to find and repair the leak. If it leaks over many years yes it still leaks but how far and how much do you want to spend to chase a ghost? Recharge and move on until the interval for recharging shortens to less than a number of years.

 

Yes that is what I remember. I was not saying you were wrong, sorry if it came off that way. I was just stating what I know to hopefully help others avoid nightmare a/c nonsense... haha.

 

Honestly I think he was asking in a sarcastic tone, kind of like "well where do you think it went..?".

 

It’s a good thing I answered sarcastically then.

 

No worries. I was also being sarcastic.

 

Lots of sarcasm in this thread. I like it!

 

Sarcasm reaching critical mass

 

Well lets see if we can steer this thread in a better direction.

Let’s see what some of the weaknesses are in the stock system.
1. Radiator/condenser area is not sealed. Every other toyota I have owned has been. Not sure what the deal is with the tacoma but seems strange.
2. Mechanical fan with fan clutch, no pusher/puller electric fan for when the mechanical fan isn’t producing enough air.
Here are a few theories of mine too.
3. The heat from the engine bay gets into the blower fan intake making the ac fight itself constantly.
4. The hvac blower sucks major balls unless you take the cabin filter out.

Fixes that are unlikely:
Finding someone who makes a bigger condenser
Finding a better blower fan.

 

Before I begin my quoted post replies, yes my refrigerant level is right. Professionally been topped to what is supposed to be the specified maximum level the underhood label specifies, no leaks in the system, and cabin filter clear of debris. HVAC systems is definitely not a new rodeo to me. Nor are vehicles.

Of course dealing with this not as cold at idle only phenomenon is something a little foreign, as the newer these cars are getting, the more cheaply built and chinsey their components are becoming. Something i have never been okay, but the cookie crumbles as such.

You'll last long around here with that sort of attitude.

Pardon my language, but those fucking things should be outlawed.

This. So much this.

This too, of course there needs to be a proper way to evacuate the old refridgerant.

^^ this too

Just because it is blowing cold now does not mean the charge level is correct.

Agreed.

Finding a larger condenser to allow a higher refrigerant capacity, a higher speed interior blower motor to disperse more air throughout the cabin, and a pusher motor would definitely be some serious steps in the right direction in resolving these not cold at idle issues a lot of us seem to have.

 

yep