Is it possible? If so how?

[vettin1]

Is it possible to convert an R12 A/C sys to the 134a without vaccuming the system? Will I damage anything if I attempt this?

Second, when someone says "vaccum the system" what type of vaccum are they talking about?

Thanx!

 

[ShaneL]

I do not think that this is possible. You have to remove all of the R-12 refrigirant and the oil that is already in the system by recovering the R-12 and flushing the oil. After that you may need a new accumulator and orifice fliter thingie. R-134a retrofit valves must be installed in place of the R-12 ones. The only way to recharge the system with refrigarant is to draw a vacuum on it with a pump. Keep in mind that you have to be liscenced to do this and you cannot release R-12 into the atomosphere and it must be properly recovered. After the R-134a retrofit you have to put on the labels stating that it has indeed been retrofitted with R-134a. Also your system may not cool as good as it did with R-12.


-Shane

 

[vettin1]

Shane-

Thanx for the info. A friend of mine works with me on the car and he is liscensed, just really busy and I wanted to find out as much as I could before doing this w/him (so I don't seem like that much of an idiot). The system had a very small leak that caused the system to be totally evacuated after 5 years, so the sys is totally empty of R-12.

Because it is empty, would I still need to vaccum out the system? My friend knows how to do this but he doesn't have the vaccum. Are there hand pumps to vaccum it out or would I have to spend for a motorized vaccum? Is it a special type of vaccum?

Thanx for the info and your time!

Rich

 

[Vettelt193]

changing to 134a is not that great. the particles are smaller, so 134a is more likely to leak. It is almost a toss up to which one you go to if you have an old system. you will spend money on the conversion, then more money fixing the leaks in the long run... but have cheap refridgerant. Or, you spend big bucks on R12, but have less chance of leaking. (and better cooling IMHO). All in all, it probably depends on how long you plan on keeping the car, and how much the conversion will cost ya.

 

[vettin1]

I agree fully (other people have told me the same thing), however, tried to get R-12 here in NYC WOW!!! Lowest quote was $135/lb. To me thats crazy! And if the leak is still there I can fill w/134a till i'm blue in the face looking for the leak. Tats my main motivation.

 

[Vettelt193]

I hear you on that... I just wanted to make sure you checked out the R12... so many people just assume that the newest stuff is the best/only way to go. glad you did the research, and good luck on the conversion!

 

[vettin1]

thanx! I see a huge headache coming!!! anyone have any aspirin?

 

[tkrphxr]

134 changeover

I'm sure this will get some negative replies but when I bought my 86 2 1/2 yrs ago the ac didn't work. The guy said it was just a little low on r-12 and he didn't want to mess with it. Long story short i didn't want to risk a lot of expense just to find out the climate control system had a lot of other problems. Went to auto zone and got one of their 134 conversion kits. we discharched the system (did not pull a vaccum) and serviced it with the kit. I had one of those cheap gauges that shows low-normal-high charge on the low pressure side and went by it. two years and 15000 miles with no problems. maybe i've just been lucky but for less than 40 bucks i have been well pleased. just my .02 worth. good luck and remember the wave. charlie

 

[Moonunit 451]

thanx! I see a huge headache coming!!! anyone have any aspirin?

Just for your info, there are at least two drop in replacements for R-12. The one I am familiar with is Freeze12. No need to evacuate, convert, or vacuum. and it's cheap.

Perhaps SunCr will check in here, or do a search. This has been dicussed at length over the last year or so.

Morphine works much beter than Aspirin BTW

 

[1stiff84]

R-12

Hi Rich,

If your friend is 609 certified, there are distributors who, unless NY has shipping restirctions, can ship R-12 to you at prices well below $135/lb.

Personally, I like R-12. I also find it cools better, as mentioned by Vettelt193.

Hope this helps,
1

 

[vettin1]

where would one get freeze12??? do you know the approx cost/lb.?

 

[Moonunit 451]

I would call a few local service stations and inquire till you find one that is familiar. I am certified for AC, but haven't ever really practiced. My buddy owns a shop and came across this stuff about 18 mos ago. As I said before, there are others, but this was cheap, don't recall the price, ,maybe around $30/lb vs. WAY higher R12. The stuff is like gold expensive,

 

[SKIP780]

i converted to 134. changed the accumulator, pulled the compressor and put in a seal kit,changed the orafice.had to pulla vacuum to get the proper charge of 134 in it. used a plain vacuum pump.worked for 3 days and now it seems i have a different problem. but to physicaly do it its a cake walk.

 

[dwestsr]

I have an 86 coupe which was converted to R134A and it works great. In my case the old compressor was shot so I replaced it with a new one along with new hoses and new accumulator/ drier. The system was vaccumed out and the proper oil for R134A was added along with the charge of R134A.
If you do not remove the old R12 oil, eventually it will glunk up the system because it is not compatible with the new oil for R134A. It will run ok for a while but you will likely end up replacing the compressor.
Do it the right way and you will be pleased with the results.

 

[pci_raid]

I converted 2 cars last summer to r134a and they still work fine. I believe the "newer" r134 is more tolerant of the "old oil" in the sytem.

Bob

 

[Vette_Newb2]

We used this stuff on a work van I had. It definately got cold enough, and it was cheap.

Good luck.