What are the reasons for the Ford Escort's air conditioning not cooling?
2 Answers
Reasons for car air conditioning not cooling: 1. Insufficient or low refrigerant: A common reason for car air conditioning not cooling is insufficient or low refrigerant, likely due to minor leaks. Solution: Observe through the sight glass on the top of the dryer tank. During normal operation, if there are continuous slow bubbles in the sight glass, it indicates insufficient refrigerant. If obvious bubble flipping occurs, it means the refrigerant is severely insufficient. If the refrigerant is insufficient or too low, the solution is to add refrigerant. However, note that if adding from the low-pressure side, do not invert the refrigerant bottle; if adding from the high-pressure side, do not start the engine. 2. Excessive refrigerant: Too much refrigerant can also cause the air conditioning not to cool. The proportion of refrigerant in the air conditioning system is critical. If the proportion is too high, it will affect heat dissipation. Similarly, adding too much cooling oil during maintenance will also reduce the heat dissipation of the system. Solution: Observe through the sight glass on the dryer tank. If no bubbles are seen during operation and none appear after the compressor stops, it indicates excessive refrigerant. If the pressurized cooling oil is excessive, turbid bubbles can be seen in the sight glass during normal operation. If the refrigerant is indeed excessive, slowly release some from the low-pressure side maintenance port. 3. Loose compressor drive belt: Car cooling relies on refrigerant, which is transported by the air conditioning compressor, and the drive belt is a crucial moving part. If the belt is loose, the compressor may slip during operation, reducing transmission efficiency, lowering compressor speed, and decreasing refrigerant delivery, leading to no cooling. Solution: If the compressor drive belt is too loose, tighten it. If it cannot be turned by hand, it is too tight and should be slightly loosened. If tightening is ineffective or the belt is cracked or aged, replace it with a new one. 4. Substandard refrigerant and cooling oil: Excessive impurities in the refrigerant and cooling oil can clog the car air conditioning filter, increasing resistance and reducing refrigerant flow to the expansion valve, leading to insufficient cooling. Solution: Use qualified refrigerant for maintenance, as it plays a key role in car air conditioning. 5. Moisture in the refrigeration system: If moisture enters the car air conditioning refrigeration system, it can cause insufficient or no cooling. Solution: Replace the desiccant or dryer tank in the car air conditioning, and then evacuate the system and refill it with the appropriate amount of new refrigerant.
I've been driving for years and encountered the Ford Escort's air conditioning not cooling several times, which is most annoying in summer. The most likely cause is insufficient refrigerant due to a leak in the system, such as loose pipe connections or small holes in the evaporator leaking refrigerant, causing all the coolant to escape. Compressor failure is also common, with belt slack or internal part wear preventing operation and thus no cold air. The cabin air filter clogged with dust and debris is easy to replace by opening the glove box yourself for just a few dozen bucks. Don't forget the car's fuses, located in the box near the driver's feet—if the AC fuse blows, it cuts power directly. A non-spinning fan affects the condenser's heat dissipation; check under the hood for movement. Minor issues can be DIY, but the refrigeration system is highly specialized—quickly visit a repair shop for pressure gauge tests, as leaks are hard to find, and prolonged neglect can damage the compressor. Regular AC maintenance, like changing the filter annually, can save a lot of trouble.
