Has anyone recharged a converted r12 car?

[lowandslowcb7]

I would like to know if I can just use a can from wal mart? The a/c gets cold but only after I start driving. I talked to my mechanic and he said it could be overcharged, hive mind what say you?

[oyajicool]

First thing come to my mind after reading your post is "condenser fan, INOP". But, if that is the case, your mechanic should be able to tell that already.

Have your mechanic hook up a gauge set and have him read the numbers.....

[lowandslowcb7]

First thing come to my mind after reading your post is "condenser fan, INOP". But, if that is the case, your mechanic should be able to tell that already.

Have your mechanic hook up a gauge set and have him read the numbers.....

condenser fan works, just seemed like it couldn't keep up with the hot temps today.

[wildBill83]

If you are already overcharged, why would you want to put more in? Don't do this yourself without a manifold and correct equipment or you are going to need expensive repairs...

[lowandslowcb7]

I wouldn't be adding anything if it was overcharged. The gauge on those bottles would read that.

[reklipz]

Assuming it's converted to R134a; if the gauge says you should add more, then add more! Isn't that all there is to it? Buy whatever brand R134a you prefer and have at it.

[wildBill83]

Really to do it right you need to use a manifold and monitor both high and low side pressure.

[lowandslowcb7]

Really to do it right you need to use a manifold and monitor both high and low side pressure.

Spoke to my guy today and he said this is especially true of r12 converted cars. He also cans from Walmart may not contain the necessary lubricants for an r12 compressor.

[Redseth01]

My A/C only blows what ever air it brings in, no cold what so ever. I've recharged it and still nothing. A mechanic told me the only thing to do is to convert to r134 but is that really necessary?

[wildBill83]

My A/C only blows what ever air it brings in, no cold what so ever. I've recharged it and still nothing. A mechanic told me the only thing to do is to convert to r134 but is that really necessary?

How did you get R12 to recharge it? The mechanic is correct, you may as well buy a new compressor if you mixed R12 and R134a...

[andrew22888]

The mixing of r12 and r134a is a myth. My parents have had theirs mixed for 5 years now no issues. And have drove it over 100,000 miles. Mix them all you want I have done this on multiple cars hondas,acuras,fords,chevys, Alot of them. Convert it and mix them thats a myth. I actually have 10 gallons of r12 sitting here as well. Alot of my uncles and grand parents owned shops so I have access to all their old r12. Also have a ac machine as well. Also only need one on the high side. If you over fill it your compressor actually wont' kick on. So if it's kicking on it's no over filled. Go get a can of r124 from walmart or wherever you prefer. And just put a can in it. If you compressor doesn't come on your over full. Also make sure that the gauge that comes with the bottle doesn't go into the red. MIXING R12 and R134 will blow up your car and mess up stuff IS A MYTH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wildBill83]

It isn't a myth, the oil needs to be miscible or dissolve in the freon. Mineral oil does not dissolve in R134a. Do a bit of research. If the oil does not dissolve then the oil does not lubricate. Also I have mixed PAG and mineral oil in a test tube and they do not mix. Period.

If it was a myth then people would never have A/C problems.

Also you need a correct manifold if doing a conversion, just a LOW SIDE gauge is for recharging an R134a system that is leaking. Don't even attempt to charge on the high side as mentioned above as the can will blow up in your hand.

[andrew22888]

The only reason they don't mix is if you use that shitty r134 that comes with a so called leak sealer/oiler as well. Because then there will be to much oil in the system. I have done this and covertered it and it still be kind of cold but not cold cold with r12. Then throw just r134 in there no leak sealer/oiler in it. And bam works. Did that with my parents accord 5 years ago. Did that with tons of cars since. None which have ever had cooling problems. Only problem I had once was on a legend the clutch went out on the ac compressor. But I mean it did have 496,000 miles on it so I chalked it up to being old LOL.

[wildBill83]

R134a freon does not blend with R12 mineral oil. period. Mix some up and see. Google it and see. I'm not making it up. It is wrong and will fail because the oil won't mix and won't lubricate the system. Oil will pool in the lowest point and stay there.

[Stoner51]

Wildbill is right. The first retro I did I just repaired the leak and charged with r134. Compressor lasted about 6-8 months. Then it blew.
The next time. I bought a compressor and a flush. And flushed out everything condensor, lines, evap etc replaced the expansion valve and drier. That system went 3 years until the compressor clutch went out. This past winter I replaced the compressor and reflushed te lines again. I refilled with 2 cans or 134. It blows 44 once I've been going for a while. All converted systems take a while to blow cold. The only way to improve upon this is to get a parrelel flow condensor. Something to do with 134 expanding more and the tube and fin condensor on our cars causes more agitation to the coolant causing the high side pressure to get too high and then the high side switch cuts the ac off

But. It's your car do what you want
I would take his advice.

Steve