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AC Performance

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by chrisf111, Jun 17, 2022.

  1. Jun 17, 2022 at 1:05 PM
    #1
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    95deg F w/ 50% humidity here in FL today.

    Part of my job involves lots of time in direct sun idling.

    Temp probe in drivers side vent shows 60deg while idling, can get it down closer to 50deg on the highway getting some air flow. Running on max cool/max fan/AC on/recirc on.

    All windows except windshield ceramic tinted to about 5%.

    Is there anything I can do to improve AC performance further? I have plans to ceramic tint the windshield soon (clear or 35%). It has a new compressor and is properly charged with freon a shop with a freon machine.

    Is this as good as it gets in this kind of weather? Can I get a secondary AC unit? Do I need to clean my condensor/evap? Tundras.com please help!
     
  2. Jun 17, 2022 at 1:48 PM
    #2
    Danny3737

    Danny3737 New Member

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    You may want to consider an electric fan setup
     
  3. Jun 17, 2022 at 2:51 PM
    #3
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    Have you changed the cabin air filter recently?
     
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  4. Jun 17, 2022 at 2:54 PM
    #4
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Damn. 5% is super super dark too
     
  5. Jun 17, 2022 at 3:07 PM
    #5
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    I'll look into this. Seems like airflow is an issue since it operates well at speed.

    Yes. Change every 5k miles with oil change. It's not an airflow problem.

    Yep it's sick. I would recommend it to anyone. Does not impact visibility that much either looking out.

    upload_2022-6-17_18-7-45.jpg
     
  6. Jun 17, 2022 at 3:08 PM
    #6
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Is your system fully charged?
     
  7. Jun 17, 2022 at 3:09 PM
    #7
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    Yes. Recently changed the compressor and had it professionally leak tested and charged. That was almost 6 months ago though, it wouldn't hurt to bring it in and have it checked.
     
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  8. Jun 17, 2022 at 3:15 PM
    #8
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I'd guess you're at the limit then. I know with my tundra with AC on max in the drive through when it's 106 out and the truck in gear the coolant will start to climb after 20 minutes or so. When the AC temperature starts to drop that seems to be about the time the engine starts getting hot.

    You could remove the skids and install hood vents to let airflow more easily exit the engine bay, I'd be surprised if an electric fan would flow much better than the stock setup though.
     
  9. Jun 19, 2022 at 10:37 PM
    #9
    SHAYNDRA

    SHAYNDRA New Member

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    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022
  10. Jun 20, 2022 at 5:45 AM
    #10
    Danny3737

    Danny3737 New Member

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    The slower the air moves over the coil, the cooler the air coming out of the vents will be. I think It’s called something like “ rate of rise “. I know It sounds odd, but try it with a thermometer. The air moving over the coil quickly doesn’t give it enough time to capture the cool air and can actually warm up the coil.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2022 at 9:46 AM
    #11
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    Purchased these today. Any tips on applications? You used them both through the blower fan hole (when removed)? Anything on the radiator and condenser in engine bay?
     
  12. Jul 10, 2022 at 4:30 PM
    #12
    SHAYNDRA

    SHAYNDRA New Member

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    Sorry bout the delay I hope everything went well? I linked a video that was basically the same thing I did excepted using the garden hose haha.

    So you got the Kool-it and frost king?
    I put the hose on the frost king that the kool-it comes with, dropped the fan and disconnecting it, cleaned the fan as well then feeding the hose you get from the kool-it down the blower fan hole that goes strait to the evap coils, put the keys to the on position, fan on, ac on and used the whole can.
    Let it set for a few minutes I check underneath and there was a puddle so then I put the fan back in plugging it in and put everything on full blast and rolled the windows down. I also used another can of frost king and blasted the blower fan through the cab filter hole wile everything was on full blast.
    After 15 minutes give or take I disconnected the fan and used the kool-it can in the vents with the hose all in or as far as it went spraying the coil cleaner as I pull out the hose.
    Smelt a hole lot better and still does thank goodness and I was reading online that there was a lawsuit that someone put against toyota because the coils on the tundra are prone to build mold and mildew.
    Again mybad for not getting back to you sooner!
     
  13. Jul 10, 2022 at 5:20 PM
    #13
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    Yes. Got both the Kool-it and Frost King.

    I used the Kool-It through the blower motor hole. On the "hot air" side of the evap coil. I actually taped the long tube to a borescope I had so I could aim the stream directly at the coil. I got some great video but somehow lost the file. I did it with the truck off (per directions) and let it sit for 15 minutes. Smelled good and dripped out the drain hole.

    I used the Frost King in the engine bay to clean the coils up there. Gave the trans cooler/radiator/condenser a healthy spray and let it sit for a few minutes.

    Overall I don't know if it helped too much but it's good piece of mind. It may have helped a little with some intermittent smells I was having.

    Still looking for ways to get more out of my AC system. Installed a high idle switch last week. Windshield tint is next on the list, I suspect that will help a ton to prevent the dash from heating up so hot.
     
  14. Jul 10, 2022 at 5:38 PM
    #14
    Jeff_5_7

    Jeff_5_7 New Member

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    Full 2014+ Conversion Regular Cab Short Bed 4X4 2019 TRD Pro Grill, 2014+ Front End Swap 2014+ Interior/Dash Swap with TRD Pro Leather Seats, 2014+ Bed Swap with TRD Pro Stamping SOS 2/4 Drop Kit
    95 outside down to 50s is about as good as it gets. That’s a 40 degree drop. You can monitor the evap coil temp with Techstream. Rarely does mine drop below 50 degrees at the coil. Lowest I have ever seen was 45 once.

    Your system seems to be fully up to spec and operational. The focus now for better performance is insulating the cab and keeping external heat out. The window tint surely helps but a reflecting windshield sunshade would be even better if you are parked. It would reflect the sunlight away instead of just letting less through like tint.

    Think about ways to keep heat out (reflecting it away) and keep cold air in, insulation.

    You are probably at the point where doorseals and potential cab leaks is the next thing to check. Make sure you are not loosing cold air.

    If you wanted to go overkill your could probably insulate the roof between the metal and headliner as we all as the internal door skins. Might not get that much benefit from all the work however.

    Might also look into a dehumidifier to run off the cigarette lighter. Getting the humidity out of the cab air could help. Could be fun to experiment with.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:10 AM
    #15
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    Whoa, I did not know you could monitor the evap coil temp. My Torque App does not support that, might be time to get techstream.

    I agree with you that I'm probably as far as I can go on the AC side, insulation is all I got now. It's just crazy to me that your run of the mill F-150 has significantly better cooling ability. They use the same freon and should in theory get the same temps at the coil so what gives.

    Looks like I'll be ordering a made to fit sunscreen to leave in place while parked in the sun.
     
  16. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:21 AM
    #16
    Jeff_5_7

    Jeff_5_7 New Member

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    Try the OBDFusion App. I just looked at mine and with the $15 add on for Toyota, Lexus, Scion PIDS there is a selection to create a gauge, under the Air Conditioner Tab, for Evaporator Fin Thermistor (this is the evap coil temp). Not sure if you can get this working on Torque or not.

    You can also monitor blower motor speed, Room Temp Sensor, Solar Senor, and more. I assume some of these will only work if you have the Digital Auto AC, otherwise your truck wont have these sensors installed.

    Curious as to your experience and definition of significantly better in the F150. My company work truck is a 2018 F150, we also have a 2014 F150. I wouldn't say either of the two just blows away my Tundra really.
     
  17. Jul 11, 2022 at 7:32 AM
    #17
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    I'll check that app out. I have manual AC controls so I won't have all the options.

    F150 came from some use of one of our company's 2015 F150. Can't really quantify it as I didn't spend too much time in it but it just seemed to cool better. I may have just been more blower motor capacity though thinking back.
     
  18. Jul 11, 2022 at 8:32 AM
    #18
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    Cool app. Worth the $20 just to see the coil temp. Installed and played around for a few minutes during work, but will have to dive in deeper late. You can even see the coil warm up between compressor cycles. Amazing. Note this screenshot was taken sitting at idle.

    My 5 minute analysis tells me the cooling system is working optimally and I need to focus on the blower motor/insulation. Thanks for the tip, I didn't even though there was a sensor in there!


    upload_2022-7-11_11-31-19.jpg
     
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  19. Jul 11, 2022 at 9:23 AM
    #19
    hagrid

    hagrid The most diverse of Diversity Hires!

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    paynuss stretchers
    Before you give your wallet a cashectomy recreate the conditions of the day in your first post. If the core still cycles like in your last post then start looking at insulation.
     
  20. Jul 11, 2022 at 9:55 AM
    #20
    JRS

    JRS New Member

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    Drop the liner and install radiant barrier. The percentage of heat ingress from door skins vs roof may not be worth the hassle, but the door panels are super easy to pull on these trucks.
     
  21. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:10 AM
    #21
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    If you offroad over tallish grass check the gap between the condensor and radiator from the bottom up, even if you have a skid. Grass gets up between there reducing the flow. Ask me how I know.
     
  22. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:29 AM
    #22
    Ericbike6

    Ericbike6 So we're doing this shit today?

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    This is huge, I did this with my truck, I can now idle for hours with the ac fan on low and be super comfortable in my truck. Well worth the weekend of time spent. I went with a layer of Kilmat then a layer of insulation. Huge difference, and so much quitter in my truck now.

    Hopefully you have the fastest color truck, as that will help also(white)

    20200328_122053.jpg 20200328_140021.jpg
     
  23. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:29 AM
    #23
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    Didn’t see what year your truck is and couldn’t tell from the photo. But they changed freon around 2018 or 2019 to the new environmentally friendly one (r1234y I think). I’ve heard this one isn’t as good. My 2010 would freeze me in El Paso 120 heat. My 2018 takes longer to get cold.

    Also looks like they’re changing the freon again jan 1, 23.
     
  24. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:39 AM
    #24
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    How difficult was removing the headliner? Did you pretty much just slap the layer of Kilmat on there or did you have to remove/modify/move anything around?
     
  25. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:42 AM
    #25
    Ericbike6

    Ericbike6 So we're doing this shit today?

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    Not that hard to remove the headliner, just take your time. Didn't have to modify anything to get the kilmat or the insulation up there. Just time and working over your head all the time...
     
  26. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:45 AM
    #26
    Jeff_5_7

    Jeff_5_7 New Member

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    I did my floor with this same stuff, looks like headliner is next. Is that just generic self sticking insulation?
     
  27. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:46 AM
    #27
    Ericbike6

    Ericbike6 So we're doing this shit today?

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    Automotive grade stuff, i found on Amazon
     
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  28. Jul 11, 2022 at 12:15 PM
    #28
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Was there any issue getting the headliner back on due to the added thickness of the insulation?
     
  29. Jul 11, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #29
    chrisf111

    chrisf111 [OP] New Member

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    That's the plan. With this new OBD2 temp monitor I will be able to monitor the actual coil temp, instead of vent temp via a thermometer.


    Dark Blue truck :(

    I will be going this route if I continue having issues. I currently have ceramic tint (about 5% on all windows). I will be getting 70% with a 5% eyebrow on Monday. If it's still struggle to cool I will go with insulation. This doesn't look too difficult. It will give me a chance to fix my 3rd brake light too. I've taken the doors apart a bunch and they're easy as can be.

    Condenser and radiator are clean as a whistle.

    2007, with a brand new compressor and filled with R134a.
     
  30. Jul 11, 2022 at 3:26 PM
    #30
    Ericbike6

    Ericbike6 So we're doing this shit today?

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    No there was not
     
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