a/c conversion to 134,(88festyLX carbed)

[jokoza57]

Can anyone tell me if there is a kit available to convert the a/c over to the current freon? I need to know what all to replace as it has not been used in over 6 years. I understand that the whole system has to be flushed and several items need replacing. Does anyone know where to find the help? I took the car to an a/c shop and they were going to charge me $385.00. the compressor is in fine shape. Can anyone help me out with the info?


thanks
jokoza57

[wybnrml]

$385 seems like alot, when I was qouteting the conversion for my Mom's car they said it would be about $200. I went to Autozone and bought the conversion kit for $50 and did it myself. The kit comes with the High and Low fittings, a hose, and 3 cans of stop leak freon. Since the system was already empty I just filled it up with the R-134. Some people say you have to change the compressor oil but I didn't. And the A/C has been working great on the car.

[GenevaDirt]

$385 seems like alot, when I was qouteting the conversion for my Mom's car they said it would be about $200. I went to Autozone and bought the conversion kit for $50 and did it myself. The kit comes with the High and Low fittings, a hose, and 3 cans of stop leak freon. Since the system was already empty I just filled it up with the R-134. Some people say you have to change the compressor oil but I didn't. And the A/C has been working great on the car.

Yup...did the same thing, got a refill kit and just charged mine up. Did not know if it was even a working system at the time....I have been driving in comfort since I filled it....no issues.

[Pu241]

Technically, the oil in the R12 system, used to lube the compressor is not 134A compatible.
So it needs to be purged out.
Replacement of the drier is also recommended.
This requires a vacuum pump, something most people do not have access to.
Then a compatible lube oil and 134A can be used to refill the system.
I could see where this might get expensive!

[kartracer46]

Technically, the oil in the R12 system, used to lube the compressor is not 134A compatible.
So it needs to be purged out.
Replacement of the drier is also recommended.
This requires a vacuum pump, something most people do not have access to.
Then a compatible lube oil and 134A can be used to refill the system.
I could see where this might get expensive!

That is the correct way to do it, some get lucky doing just the fittings and charge. You have a 50/50 chance of it not working and cooking a compressor. I usually at the least recommend a recovery and flush. I have a vacuum pump and manifold set so I can take mine to -10 for a good charge. Do with what ever you can afford that works.

[jokoza57]

Thanks guys for the help

[phyaz91]

just dont purge the current r12 into the air

[JoDan]

Technically, the oil in the R12 system, used to lube the compressor is not 134A compatible.
So it needs to be purged out.
Replacement of the drier is also recommended.
This requires a vacuum pump, something most people do not have access to.
Then a compatible lube oil and 134A can be used to refill the system.
I could see where this might get expensive!

But also a lot of the new oils that come with 134a recharge kits are compatible with the R12 system

[getnpsi]

A lot of people who have the equipment are happy to take your r12 and purge your system for free...especially unemployed/disabled mechanics who have 30k of tools sitting there doing nothing. Craigslist searching should find something. even a regular a/c shop may do it free

[Mike McKown]

I had a shop do mine. The system was empty when I drove it in because I had already pulled a vacuum on it and it held.

They put on the new fittings, flushed the old oil out, blew it out. Then they charged it with some dye in the system. Free check a week later.

Charged me a $100. That was last summer and so far, it's still working good this year.