A/C causes Bronco to overheat.

[younghutch]

'95 Eddie Bauer w/ 302 engine. Runs like a Swiss watch under all conditions (stop & go, etc.) - temp gauge is steady at 1/4.

However, when I turn on the A/C, the temp gauge begins to creep and doesn't stop until it gets thisclose to the red zone. It does this around town as well as on the freeway, although it will heat up quicker in stop & go driving w/ the A/C on.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

 

[younghutch]

I should have clarified - the A/C works perfectly & is freezing cold even in 100+ degree days.

 

[younghutch]

Thanks Steve. Will run these tests this weekend.

 

[rednck7736]

The pull of the compressor is making the engine work harder.How big is your radator? Is the fins on it only an inch thick from front to rear or is it about 2 inches thick.My 85 came with a thin radator and it like to run on the warm wide with or with out the ac going.It has a 351 in it.So bought a max cool radator which was twice the size of the stock one.That cooled it own .You can change the fan to pull more air as well

 

[Mike G]

I like to start out simple. Have you checked you fan clutch? Might just be free wheeling when your stopped. When moving forward you don't really need it.

Mike

 

[shift1313]

my first guess would be fan clutch although at highway speeds i would think youd still get enough cooling. id run through everything steve83 posted, lots of great info there!

 

[Mike G]

Yes it was there, and it was a good read. Thanks

My fan clutch seems to take forever to disengage/free wheel. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes before it quiets out and stops sounding like it wants to **** the radiator out of the mounts. But once it does I can't believe the added HP that is available when it does finally let loose.

Has anybody gone to a fiberglass flex fan and if so how is it doing for you? I would love to go with a electric fan like Seabronc did. He did post a great bunch of pics and notes of the conversion.

Seabronc add link here. LOL

http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?aut...si&img=1242

Mike

 

[92broncomann]

My does this now too. granted its super F****** hot in arizona, but there is no issue other wise. It never used to do this until after about a month ago, when i took the truck to a local mud drag and ever since then it causes the truck to run hot when ever i turn the a/c on. any ideas??? its all clean from what i can see.

thanks

92BM