Ecklers 134a Conversion

[RJVETTE23]

Anyone have any experience with the Ecklers Conversion kit for 134a? It's time for a new compressor and I figured now is as good a time as any to convert.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated....


RJVette23
86 Coupe

 

[geekinavette]

I got my compressor "kit" (new) from Automotive Compressor Works' Ebay "store"...almost half the price, but doesn't come with the R134 fittings. You can get the fittings at any parts store, or I would imagine you could order them with the compressor kit. 'Bout $215 + shipping. Been working just great.

BTW I use Envirosafe instead of R134...and a Dewitts radiator. The hottest it has been since fixing the AC is about 92...vent temp was 38-40 deg.

Bill

 

[Rufus1050]

AC Conversion to R-134

Say RJ...did you end up buying the Eckler Unit? I'm curious if you did and would like to know if you installed it yourself...I bought the kit for my 85...haven't tried the install yet...wondering if this is something the shady-tree mechanic should attempt.

 

[RJVETTE23]

I'm still waiting for it to show up......BACK ORDER!!! I'm hoping to get it and install for my trip to Carlisle next week end.


RJVette23

 

[MTRHD101]

AC swap

You will need to flush the entire system with an approved flush first especially if you have had a compressor failure, You also need to change the expansion tube (orfice) at the same time you retrofit.. You also need to add the compressor oil to the compressor itself while its off the vehicle thru the suction (low side) service port app. 4 oz.. And add app. 2 oz. to the new dryer.. Rotate the comp. pulley down to lubricate the front seal before installation.. Change all o-rings, Evacuate the system to remove all air and moisture once assembled, then charge.. There are several options on what to use but R12 and 134A are the only approved ones, all others may void compressor warranty.. I have been doing this 15 years for a living, and this is the correct way to do it.. You may cut some corners and not get the results your after.. I did my personal 85 vette 8 years ago, still blowing cold.. Tim

 

[steelblue75]

You will need to flush the entire system with an approved flush first especially if you have had a compressor failure, You also need to change the expansion tube (orfice) at the same time you retrofit.. You also need to add the compressor oil to the compressor itself while its off the vehicle thru the suction (low side) service port app. 4 oz.. And add app. 2 oz. to the new dryer.. Rotate the comp. pulley down to lubricate the front seal before installation.. Change all o-rings, Evacuate the system to remove all air and moisture once assembled, then charge.. There are several options on what to use but R12 and 134A are the only approved ones, all others may void compressor warranty.. I have been doing this 15 years for a living, and this is the correct way to do it.. You may cut some corners and not get the results your after.. I did my personal 85 vette 8 years ago, still blowing cold.. Tim

I plan to recharge mine w/ r12. when you pull a vac. for 30min. or so
do you need to replace any oil you may have sucked out?

 

[MTRHD101]

If you are installing a new compressor/dryer very little of the oil you put in them before system assembly will be removed during evacuation.. If you are recharging due to some other reason/repair you would add app. 2 oz of oil for a system discharge due to the fact that some oil will be carried and lost in the escaping freon vapor like in a system that has been recharged several times due to a leak.. In either case very little oil is removed thru evacuation.. For R12 you would use a mineral based oil or some of the esters are compatible.. No PAG.. If you use a good recovery machine it will seperate the oil lost during evacuation so you can measure and reinstall it, but its usually less than a half ounce..

 

[tyrel]

I'd like to chime in about o-rings, HNBR are compatible with r12 and r134a and are more durable than the stock neoprene ones so they should last for a long time, you can buy a 270 piece kit on ebay for less than twenty dollars. If you've never done a/c fittings before, you need two offset wrenches, don't attempt to tighten the fittings with a single wrench, you will kink a line, just like brake lines. You can use two crescent wrenches but flare nut wrenches are practically idiot proof. And you really have to lean on those fittings to get the o-ring to seal, just when you think it's going to break, it's tightened. You'll know when you pull your vacuum if you tightened it enough. Most people say wait thirty minutes after you pull your vacuum to see if it went down, but I wait several hours and do other things, then come back to check and even then I pull another vacuum just to be sure.

 

[MTRHD101]

You said it yourself, o-rings are cheap, so why not install new ones.. Besides the dryer and compressor will come with them and if you change the orfice why not put a new one on there too .. Another thing to consider is that old o-rings are NOT as good as new ones, yes they may both be compatable with the freon but old o-rings get dryed out and flat especially on a 20 year old car.. The use of the back-up wrench should go without saying, if you arent any more mechanical than that you dont need to be touching the thing with a tool period.. And you DONT need to tighten the **** out of it, it seals by a very slight compression on the o-ring not by a thousand pounds of pressure being put on the fitting itself, once the fitting bottoms thats it you dont tighten the o-ring any more by trying to strip the fitting.. As far as the extended duration vacuum, thats bologna too.. Unless the system was open for a long period of time and has lots of moisture (condensation) in it 30 minuites is waaay long enough, any more than that and your just wearing out your vacuum pump..

 

[RJVETTE23]

Still on Backorder with no planned shipment date!?!?!.....I'll be visiting the Eckler's folks at Carlisle this weekend for "resolution".

I'll also be shopping the parts corral for a replacement compressor.

 

[ProEMTPFF]

Eckler.... I live in Titusville where they are and I REFUSE to buy ANYTHING from them ever again. I've had way too many bad experiences with those SOBs! ad

 

[jra88]

JRA's Conversion Kit

I jst ummm i mean the r12 leaked outa my car so i decided 2 convert pulled a vacum purged n charged the system with 134a artic freeze blows snow balls for bout 4 months now