Convert my A/C to R134a

[tdr1919]

OK, so I want to convert my 86 A/C over, is it possible to still get this system charged with R12, or do I need to change it over. AND does anyone have an Idea of cost and parts I will need.
Tom

 

[Bob Yates]

as you can see no one seems to be to keen on A/C problems but I'm going to try and help. R12 is no longer produced in the states. It worked really good for a long time but someone thought it bad for the ozone so they were made to quit producing it. Now we have 134A and from what I've heard it too is on the way out. At this time no one knows when but the price is rising..... My 86 has been converted but I bought it that way. You will have to convert yours to have A/C. If you are not a trained Auto A/C tech and have no equipment to flush the system then you will have to take it to a repair garage for the convertion. It runs several hundred dollars and will cool you OK. Not as good as R12 but OK. Good Luck ....Bob Yates

 

[Vettefan87]

Oh boy, I just had a long thread about this. Some say you can use the recharge kits sold at autozone and what not, others say you cant. I have no idea if they will work, or hurt anything.

 

[tyrel]

Yes, it is possible to charge the system with R12, it is still available but very expensive, which is one of the reasons that people are switching to R134a. Many people claim that systems running R12 cannot be successfully converted to R134a and that it won't cool as well, but I have done the conversion twice and the difference is negligible. Evacuating and charging a system is quite an involved process, and doing the conversion really complicates matters, so I agree that a qualified a/c technician is your best bet. To get some idea of how the tech would perform this conversion, here is a site that I like to send people to, so that you know what you're paying for:

http://www.diynet.com/diy/ab_auto_air_conditioning/article/0,2021,DIY_13674_2276708,00.html

If you are converting, at the very least you will have to replace the accumulator (also known as a drier), all the o-rings, the orifice tube, and have the condenser, evaporator, and the lines flushed. The compressor will have to be removed, turned upside-down, and drained of all the old oil. PAG oil will have to be added to all the components, everything tightened up, a vacuum pulled, and if the vacuum holds then the system is recharged. It's an involved process.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Also to save cost and trouble there are at least two products out there that are direct "drop in" replacements for R12 which are much less expensive. I use Freeze12, works great. I'll see if I can find the link to others, but they have been discussed here in the past few mos. I believe.

http://www.autorefrigerants.com/

 

[Grizzly]

I also had it done, once on an 87 Chev truck and once on my 92. Both worked satisfactorily so far. I agree letting a pro do the conversion, if for no other reason than if it doesn't work you have someone to complain to.

And lets face it folks, some of these chemicals are just plain killing us by inches. Get rid of them. I know we all hate to turn our babies over to a stranger, but there are lots of good, hard working folks out there with special skills and tools so go out and find them. I have a Dodge dealer that does my heavy duty stuff!

 

[Moonunit 451]

And lets face it folks, some of these chemicals are just plain killing us by inches. Get rid of them.

PU-LEEEEZ, if you're so Godamn worried about how Americans are destroying the planet---WALK ad Man, I get sick of this $HIT

 

[Grizzly]

Cut Me a Little Slack

PU-LEEEEZ, if you're so Godamn worried about how Americans are destroying the planet---WALK ad Man, I get sick of this $HIT

Hey Man I watched my Dad and Uncle die of strokes and cancer that I'm sure that some of the chemicals that they handled were at least partially at fault. If you haven't been there you don't want to be. So cut me a little slack if I have some concern for your and everybody else's health.

 

[Moonunit 451]

I've been a Paramedic since 1978, I've seen it all. My father died of brain cancer in 1982 at the age of 48, the same age I am now.

I'm sure we will continue to disagree, but I do care for the environment, and I believe that this country leads the way in identifying these problems and correcting them quickly. I'm just sensitive to the politics that blames the American people, who lead the way in all technology and research, of killing the world.

I'm not saying that's what you said exactly, but, there's been some serious brainwashing of the guilty Americans for far too long in MHO. I do, appreciate you're quite civil respone to my comments.

It is easy for those of us who have lost loved ones to want to place blame, and I know that there have been things that have gone on during our attempts ot be the very best that have had harmful effects, when problems are found to be severe enough they are addressed. We are not out to destroy life or the planet, as some would suggest. Sometimes we just get ahead of ourselves

 

[Rich96c4ce]

I had my local service station do a conversion on my '93 Ford van when the compressor died. The conversion was cheap compared to the rebuilt compressor. Anyway, it worked great! And now I can top it off myself. I think it was a good deal.

 

[tdr1919]

Looking over my situation, I realized that it was converted at one time because of the quick disconnect fittings. I went out and got 2 cans of 134a, As I was adding the first can the compressor started to cycle (clutch) and eventually was running solid after the 1st can. When about 75% of the 2nd can was done it was getting cold at the low side exiting the evaporator (good thing) but the compressor sounds as if there are marbles inside. Could this be there's not enough oil or is this compressor shot. When I accelerate the engine the compressor quiets down some. Any Ideas?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[jsinga]

Sounds like you are a few oz. low on oil. See a light trail of oil above the compressor clutch? If you have good cooling they have oil charge in cans like the freon. Last ones I saw were 4oz. Feed it in until the compressor quiets down to some, it souldn't need a whole can.

JS

 

[vigman]

My .02

In my 88 I run freeze 12...... and it get's CHILLY 34 degree discharge @ 2000 rpm.The trick here is to make SURE the systems CLEAN and has no INTERNAL BLOCKAGE....I ALWAYS replace the drier whenever I have to go into the system . I also run 134 in my exploder and R12 in my 73. I agree R 12 is the BEST but a good 134 system will cool about the same AT SPEED but take a bit longer to get down there pulling the heat out of the air. I do MOST of my own work and have had a fair amount of exposure to ALL refridgeration systems. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING.. have a PRO DO IT.

Vig~

 

[OLDCHEV]

Might be just lucky but, used one of the Autozone conversion kits last summer and it is still going strong (cool). I did borrow a vacuum pump and pumped the system all the way down before converting.

No problems to date.

PS: I am 55 years old, smoke, drink, Army Vet.(1968-1971) and am still breathing. If it is your time, your are gonna go!

 

[Moonunit 451]

In my 88 I run freeze 12...... and it get's CHILLY 34 degree discharge @ 2000 rpm.The trick here is to make SURE the systems CLEAN and has no INTERNAL BLOCKAGE....I ALWAYS replace the drier whenever I have to go into the system . I also run 134 in my exploder and R12 in my 73. I agree R 12 is the BEST but a good 134 system will cool about the same AT SPEED but take a bit longer to get down there pulling the heat out of the air. I do MOST of my own work and have had a fair amount of exposure to ALL refridgeration systems. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING.. have a PRO DO IT.

Vig~

Thanks for chimin' in VIG, nice to see ya Come by more often, you are the MAN

OLDCHEV, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE And (I think), your understanding of my rant