5088 Air Conditioning Repair

[ComancheStarFarms]

We have a 5088 with poor quality air conditioning.  Blower pushes plenty of air, A couple of bottles of R134 gets ingested each summer, we’ve run die through the lines with no leaks appearing, replaced with new filters, took the top of the cab off & cleaned and still tepid cool air - barely workable for a couple days of baling hay & then back to a sweatbox.  I’ve talked to two different former IH dealerships & though friendly, they’re no better than I - and obviously I’m not an A/C mechanic otherwise I wouldn’t be throwing myself to you asking for help.  Suggestions?  Happy Thanksgiving!

[1967806]

We upgraded my 5288 with a high efficiency evaporator and condenser and replaced the blower fan with the upgraded version and a new compressor. Spent some money but got nice cool air now.  Got all the parts from AP Air. 

[FarmerFixEmUp]

I did the condenser on my 5288 too. Bottom half of radiator is notorious for collecting dirt.  Blow it out then flush it with water. Then when you think it's good do it some more. 

It will show high pressure on the high side when it needs cleaning, especially with 134 freon. 

[1967806]

3 minutes ago, FarmerFixEmUp said:

I did the condenser on my 5288 too. Bottom half of radiator is notorious for collecting dirt.  Blow it out then flush it with water. Then when you think it's good do it some more. 

It will show high pressure on the high side when it needs cleaning, especially with 134 freon. 

And at least they made them so you could get to it unlike the stupid CASE designed arrangement on the magnums that wont let you swing the coolers out far enough away from the front of the radiator to do any good.

[HydroTek]

Check that foam pad on the cab access cover

 that is what seals the air from bypassing the evaporator core

common for that pad to rot in the heat and moisture

 

[acem]

I put my AC through the ringer down here.  The AC 86/88 tractors and 14x0 combines are capable of working very good even with R134 or propane.  However everything has to be right.

It seem  all kinds of little things can make a difference. 

Make sure your cab top is sealed and your not cooling outside air.  Little rust holes and leaks around the top hurt cooling.

Sometimes an expansion valve just don't seem to work right.  Is it dirty inside? moisture in the system?

Are the condenser and evaporator clean? The acid does a good job cleaning them but I'm concerned it can damage them.

Too much oil circulating in the system.

Sometimes I can get them to work great.  Then other times I bust my but and it still is just cool...

I just threw a bunch of info out there.  I hope it helps!

[1967806]

12 hours ago, HydroTek said:

Check that foam pad on the cab access cover

 that is what seals the air from bypassing the evaporator core

common for that pad to rot in the heat and moisture

 

I agree. That foam is very important. Seen it make a 10 degree difference by replacing it before. 

[supermechanic]

Have the system lines been vacuum-evacuated? Air intrusion is a major factor in poor cooling.

[hippy5488]

90% of ac cooling problems is air flow. all foam needs to be in place and condensor radiator evaperator need to be clean. at 40 yrs old it could take a few hours of cleaning to get that done. the bottom of the 50 series rad. gets real dirty if not maintained ive worked on 1 over a day before i got it cleaned. need to pull grill and fan off then side hood and access cover theres a plug in bottom rad shield to pull then wash, blow use foaming cleaner repeat . same with evap and heater core. ive had to remove several to get clean

[FarmerFixEmUp]

I have a set of these Radiator Genie wands, There's a 90 degree bend on the end that works pretty well. 

 

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_RG1002BK?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Tools-Equipment&campaign_id=8553470562&adgroup_id=107047174069&adtype=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkbClg8v_iQMVLkH_AR3_bAN2EAQYASABEgK4dfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

 

[hippy5488]

5 hours ago, FarmerFixEmUp said:

I have a set of these Radiator Genie wands, There's a 90 degree bend on the end that works pretty well. 

 

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_RG1002BK?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Tools-Equipment&campaign_id=8553470562&adgroup_id=107047174069&adtype=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkbClg8v_iQMVLkH_AR3_bAN2EAQYASABEgK4dfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

 

i have them also. there good for monthly cleaning. but not for a rad. or air box that hasnt seen any attenion in years.

[ComancheStarFarms]

A great big help by all of you.  I’ll start & recheck all the above.  Thanks!

[acem]

I bet the AC is blowing pretty cool on the 5088 tonight!

[nate]

If the air works, and then it doesn’t in a couple days, you have a pretty good leak.  Should leave dye and oil residue somewhere.