AC Diagnosis and R12 - R134A conversion

[Zdubz1993]

1992 EX, Compressor Clutch engages, car blows hot air. R12 system according to label on compressor.

So i went off half cocked here and tried to measure the refrigerant with an r134a gauge. Being the wrong size fitting for my R12 systems schrader valve, I basically inadvertently released a little pressure and realized that it was the wrong fitting/valve etc.. just now learning about the whole r12 to r134a conversions and all that fun stuff. Then I bought a little retrofit kit from the autopart store and did some more research ready to tackle the job.

I watched Eric the car guy, and and ID Quest video on conversions. I think that Eric is legit, and at any rate he's not trying to sell me anything, but his info and IDQuests info in contradictory to say the least.

Listening to him got me concerned about my dryer and if I have to replace it, and/or if I need to add some oil. The idquest kit says the refrigerant contains ester oil compatible with R12 systems, lubricants, and residues, and o-ring conditioners/sealers.

Has anyone done a conversion or does anyone have a good info resource for this? Kinda skeptical of the whole id-quest thing.

[F22Chris]

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=165508

The only thing I would do differently is using ester oil instead of pag46.

[Zdubz1993]

Thanks! This looks like a weekender. I looked but couldn't find that thread or any that were relevant. I'll post my experience there.

[masospaghetti]

Thanks! This looks like a weekender. I looked but couldn't find that thread or any that were relevant. I'll post my experience there.

At minimum, you need to change the dryer out and vacuum the system down before recharging. You can use the kit you bought when you recharge. You might need to beg/borrow/steal a vacuum pump. Ester oil is OK and is usually used for retrofitting.

@ Rockauto

SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT 0233412 $6.10

[Zdubz1993]

At minimum, you need to change the dryer out and vacuum the system down before recharging. You can use the kit you bought when you recharge. You might need to beg/borrow/steal a vacuum pump. Ester oil is OK and is usually used for retrofitting.

@ Rockauto

SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT 0233412 $6.10

- That sounds cheaper than the retrofit thing. That being said, do you know of a refrigerant that I can charge with as as sub for R12?

[rmeza91]

I hate to sound like a lazy/jackass of a person but based on the price of all the stuff bought in that link posted, I seemed to have saved some money by taking my car to a mechanic to get my ac switched over to r134. i paid 240 for the job. adding this just in case people wanted to see what else can be done instead of this diy because it does look a little tough

[deevergote]

- That sounds cheaper than the retrofit thing. That being said, do you know of a refrigerant that I can charge with as as sub for R12?

Most things that claim to be compatible with R12 systems often cause problems soon after use. Since R12 is now illegal to sell in the US, retrofitting the system properly really is your only worthwhile option.

I hate to sound like a lazy/jackass of a person but based on the price of all the stuff bought in that link posted, I seemed to have saved some money by taking my car to a mechanic to get my ac switched over to r134. i paid 240 for the job. adding this just in case people wanted to see what else can be done instead of this diy because it does look a little tough

That's pretty cheap! I've heard of people paying as much as $1000 for the job. I suppose it pays to shop around, though I'd be wary of anyone that gives a quote well below average... they may not be doing it properly, or legally.

[SEgirl]

I took one of mine to the Honda dealer for conversion and it cost about $250-300 IIRC.

However, to actually *replace* the a/c system (new compressor, condenser, etc) is about a $1200 job from the dealer. I think the warranty is 3 years, 36K miles so there's that. I've only owned 1993 SE sedans the last few years, so they have the Hadsys compressor, which is not very easy to come by used and still working.

That's pretty cheap! I've heard of people paying as much as $1000 for the job. I suppose it pays to shop around, though I'd be wary of anyone that gives a quote well below average... they may not be doing it properly, or legally.