Common Truck Heating and Cooling Problems

Heating and air cooling system are connected, but they are two different systems that function separately. Like every part of your truck, you need to take care of both the heating and the A/C system, as you will need any of them during extreme weather conditions. Regular maintenance is the only way to ensure that both are in perfect working condition, which helps boost your truck’s lifespan.

The heating and the A/C system are essential parts of your truck. Therefore, every truck owner understands the value of them being in perfect working condition. Here are some common problems related to the cooling and heating system worth knowing.

Common A/C Problems

Low Levels of Refrigerant

The reduced refrigerant level is one of the common problems associated with the air conditioning system. When the refrigerant level goes down, your truck will make noise instead of cooling. The A/C might blow cool or warm air depending on the refrigerant level but will not blow cold air.

Leaking Condenser

The condenser is where the heat exchange occurs in your AC system. For efficient functioning, the condenser is usually in front of your truck, which exposes it to the dangers of getting damaged by objects like rocks. If it is knocked by moving foreign objects, it will rupture, and refrigerant will start to pour onto the ground. When such happens, consider replacing your condenser as soon as possible.

Spoilt Compressor

Failure of the AC compressor results from various issues that stress it. Such problems include dirty coils, low refrigerant charge, blocked suction lines, and electronic problems.

Common Heating System Problems

Low Coolant

The heat from the engine coolant is what your truck depends on to heat the cabin. The coolant moves around the engine block to cool down various parts of the engine. As the coolant passes through the heater core, heat moves from the coolant to the air blown into your cabin. When the coolant level goes down, it will not perform its role effectively, reducing the heat available in the heater core.

Air In The Cooling System

The efficiency of the coolant goes down when traces of air is present in the cooling system. Water takes more heat from the engine block than the air itself. When there is air within the coolant lines, the cooling system will need to be able to evacuate enough heat to warm up the cabin.

Faulty Heater Core

This mini radiator with aluminum or brass tubing enables the engine’s coolant to circulate. The fans blow the heat from the heater core, which helps disperse heat to the cabin. The heater core experiences problems such as clogs in the tubing. The air blown by fun may not reach the heater core when this happens. Your cabin will not be able to receive warm air. 

Conclusion

The heating and the cooling system are essential parts of your truck that offers a conducive environment when it is hot or cold. These two systems are prone to failure. It is necessary to know the common problems associated with them. Such knowledge will enable you to determine the issue when either of them fails. 

Why Your Truck Air Conditioner is Blowing Hot Air

The air conditioner system, commonly known as the AC, is an essential part of your truck. The AC supplies cool air during hot seasons. Thus, with the AC, you will get more relaxed and comfortable during the scorching summer sun. 

Therefore, it is an essential piece of equipment in your truck if working correctly. But if it fails to blow cool air, your ride during summer will be the worst. Whenever you realize that your AC is not functioning properly, seek the services of a professional to check and solve the possible problem. In this guide, you shall know why your AC might blow hot instead of cold air.

Signs Your Truck AC is Faulty

Like other parts of your truck, the air-conditioning system also becomes faulty. They usually fail to blow cool air when faulty. Here are three common signs you will note from your truck when your AC becomes defective.

The Electrical System Problems

The air conditioning system of your truck has wires, fuses, and relays that work jointly. If any of the electrical components fail due to wear, the cooling system as a whole will not function. Instead, it will shut down to prevent further damage. 

The problem of air conditioner C blowing hot air due to electrical issues is hard to locate and requires a professional truck electrician to identify and fix it. 

Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak is unique and hard to identify, and this is because when it is not under pressure, it will evaporate. The entire AC system is under seal, so it doesn’t require refrigerant top-offs. When the level of the refrigerant drops, then there is a leakage that you should consider addressing before things get out of hand.

Air conditioner refrigerant leakages are unlike the other fluid leaks you will note under your truck. Instead, when refrigerant leaks, you will experience oil residue around your AC hose or connections.

Faulty Compressor

The compressor is the part of the AC that moves the refrigerant through various hoses and filters that remove heat from your truck’s cabin. A compressor is a complex machine. Therefore, several things, like contaminants or failed parts, can lead to its failure.

Tips To Give Your Air Conditioner Long Service

During winter or when you rarely use your air conditioner, ensure you run it for at least 10 minutes every month. Do this regardless of the temperature of the surrounding. 

Another golden tip is to take your truck to the nearest repair shop, where a professional mechanic will run several checks to determine the condition of your AC system. These experts will fix it when they find it faulty.

Conclusion

The air conditioner system blows in the cool air, neutralizing the heat inside your cabin. It has parts such as the compressor, condenser, accumulator, evaporator, and thermal expansion valve. These parts work jointly. When these parts are faulty, your AC system will not function effectively. As a result, it will blow hot air instead of cold air. The above are the possible reasons that might make your AC blow hot air. If you note that your AC is not working perfectly, consider fixing it.

How To Bleed Cooling System Of A Truck

Air getting into your truck’s cooling system is the worst thing ever. Getting rid of air once it gets there can be difficult and stressful. But you can expel the air bubbles out by bleeding your cooling system. Bleeding the cooling system is a fragile procedure that might ruin your Engine if not correctly done. In this guide, we will focus our attention on how to bleed cooling system of a truck.

How To Bleed Cooling System Of A Truck

To bleed your truck’s cooling system, consider the following steps, which will help you do it without any unique tool. The process takes roughly 30 minutes.

Have Your Antifreeze

Before you bleed your cooling system, you must have your coolant ready. Before sourcing a coolant, ensure your manufacturer recommends it. Using a non-recommended coolant can easily damage your Engine. Consult an expert if you do not know the correct coolant to acquire. The coolant is always concentrated, take 50% of it and mix with 50% water. Before mixing water and coolant, keenly read and understand the instructions.

Lift the Front Part of Your Truck

Jacking up your truck is a step that you should not ignore. When your truck is raised, getting rid off the air will be much easier and quicker. You can use a floor jack or park your truck on a steep hill.

Fill the Coolant

After raising your truck, feel the coolant as much as you can. When filling the coolant, open the air bleed valves and close them when the coolant starts to overflow. Coolant is hazardous to the environment. Ensure it does not floor to the ground. 

Start Your Engine

After feeling your coolant, consider starting your truck. The water pump will throw away some coolant when you turn on the Engine if only there is air in the cooling system.

Turn the Climate Control Heat

It would help if you turned the climate control heat to the maximum. Doing this differs from truck to truck. Most truck manufacturers have made a valve to prevent coolant from flowing into the thermal pack. Coolant will flow into the thermal pack if you set the climate control to cold.

Rev the Engine to 4000rpm

When doing this, you will need a helper to rev your Engine. Ensure the raving is steady.

Open the Bleed Valve

As the Engine is raving, consider opening the bleed valves. When doing this, check the temperature of your coolant. If it is high, working on your truck might be difficult. Check if your coolant is leaking as you open the bleeding valve.

Refill the Coolant

You can perform this procedure if the need arises. Before refilling the coolant, turn off the bleeding valves, and your Engine should be in the idling position. After refilling the coolant, consider putting the radiator cap back.

Go for a Test Drive

After ensuring that your truck is okay and no liquid leaks, go for a test drive. When driving, be keen on the temperature of your coolant. When the temperature goes high, your head gasket will blow.

Conclusion,

Bleeding a truck’s cooling system is not difficult. It is something you can do anywhere as long as you follow the procedures in this guide.