improved a/c

[dancorn]

My 2003 Ford E350 w/ 7.3 engine has always ran cool (not hot) up until Monday last. I sweated (literally) over loose belt or water pump going out or hose leak, etc. Then I pulled into a car wash and spent $1.00 on the hand held sprayer to clean the radiator. Since then the temp hand shows a slightly lower temp than it ever has. That's good news but the great news is the A/C runs cooler than ever. I surmised that the radiator and the condenser were severely bugged up (thanks LA I-10).
I had always sprayed the radiator out with a water hose when I washed the van but this obviously was not enough.

Thought I would pass this along for your consideration.

 

[guido4475]

Twice a year, on my E-350, 7.3, I would take a saturday and physically remove the radiator and wash everything down.Kept it cool, and clean, and my a/c will freeze out an eskimo, in laredo..blows in the neighborhood of 34-36 degrees..Checked the thermometer, with another, and same reading...My A/C guy knows what he is doing..remember, you cannot get the fuzz out of the front of the radiator on a ford van, because the a/c condenser is in front of it, real close.You'd be surprised at what gets trapped in between the two.Don't take for granted it is clean until removed, like I did.

 

[dancorn]

Thanks Guido, after reading your reply I went back and removed the grill and resprayed the radiator and condenser. After the first spray the air was 52 degrees when set on max. After this second spraying it was 44 degrees on max. I will try removing the radiator next time I get home.
Nice tip, Guido!