R-134 conversion

[f00g00]

Freeze 12 is for R12 systems. I use it in my mercedes and Blazer.
Link is here for the product.
http://www.freeze12.com/

[theWeezL]

Originally Posted by f00g00

If your going to go through with it then it is essential that you have a professional do it. Just about every component will have to be replaced with the exception of the condensor and the lines which will need a thorough cleaning as the compressor oil for 134 and R12 are NOT compatible. For more info see this link.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/retrofit.htm
I think its pretty accurate. Im not an A/C mechanic so I don't know all the particulars but read the article as it makes sense.
mrnickleye said his shop does the conversion for 210 dollars, thats probably the labor cost without parts which seems very reasonable but can vary slightly depending on the vehicle. It seems whenever I ask about the swap Im usually told 500 dollars from places like pep boys and other chain stores,
and also just for fixing a leaky system.
I got my Blazer done there before and the total cost was over 800 dollars. That was changing the old compressor with a rebuilt one changing the receiver/dryer and charging the system. The only good thing that came out of it was the mechanic left his cheap flashlight in the engine bay, and my system worked for about 3 months till I went back to Arizona and found out that their Rebuilt compressor was leaking.
One other thing, the article mentioned an oil that is compatible to both R12 and R134 but the old oil will still have to be thoroughly cleaned and any old refridgerent properly evacuated.
Let us know what you do and how it works out.

I think your being overly dramatic about what needs to be done and how much it costs. Most mechanics will tell you what they want you you to think so they can get the work out of you. Perpetuating the fear and mystery if the A/C system so they can profit from it.

My mechanic said its easy to convert, and not to pay some overblown price for what you can essentially do yourself.

As for the compressor oil, ya do know they make a 134a bottle that has the proper conversion oil right in it dont you?

[f00g00]

Originally Posted by theWeezL

" As for the compressor oil, ya do know they make a 134a bottle that has the proper conversion oil right in it dont you?".

You still have to get the old R12 oil out by flushing it. The two oils are not compatible so your looking at problems by mixing the two like early compressor failure possibly. I don't see a backyard mechanic with the proper tools to flush and evacuate an AC system.
I just mean if your going to go to the trouble to do the job then do it right the first time.
Im an aviation electrician and work on military jets so maybe I'm a little to over zealous about doing preventitive maintenance when possible.

[theWeezL]

Originally Posted by f00g00

You still have to get the old R12 oil out by flushing it. The two oils are not compatible so your looking at problems by mixing the two like early compressor failure possibly. I don't see a backyard mechanic with the proper tools to flush and evacuate an AC system.

This is possible, when I was told by my mechanic he knows me for one and what Im capable of, and two, we were talking about a system that is currently open on my car (meaning, I have to do a compressor swap as is, so my new (used)compressor will be empty)

so my information was in regards to something in the middle of both ends of the spectrum.

[jfunez]

I just did a conversion on a suburban this past weekend and the oil that comes with the conversion kit is definetly compatible with the r12 oil. just go to the autoparts store and buy the kit for no more than 35 dollars, you might have to buy the extra cans of R134 refrigerant to make up the amount that your system requires. Remember to look up the amount in ounces of refrigerant that your system requires,that total includes the oil that you are adding with the kit. IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO OVERCHARGE THE SYSTEM... as the kit also informs you to only fill up to 80 percent. follow the instruccions on the packaging, its is very simple.. the amount required for your system should be on label on top of the accumulator/dryer it itll be in lbs. good luck..

[Isphius]

Does anyone know how cold the supras AC is when converted to r134? i heard its not as effective. And the ones they sell in like kmart and parts stores have a pressure gauge. Does it do anything good or bad if its over filled? like to the top of the "safe" range? Im guessing more pressure would mean colder air....haha. But maybe not. I dont really know anything about AC.

[jfunez]

not necesarily, it'll over saturate the system and posible cause problems, since the compresor is supposed to only receive low pressure vapor on the low side, remember that liquids can not be compressed. if liquid gets in to the compressor it will create high head pressure and posibly lock it up. thats is why there is always a accumulator,receiver/dryer before the ac compressor. this is why overfilling is not recomended..

[batmmannn]

I have 3 cans of r12 in my garage left over from years ago. Here is my problem. My compressor is seized, so I bought one of ebay the guy swears is good but it has already been converted to 134a. He shipped it open nothing to keep the oil in it and the R12 nipple with 134a adapter snapped off leaving me a problem. OK I can take the plate off my old seized one and use it to get the nipple back in shape but the compressor oil leaked out all over the package the compressor was shipped in.

I don't know how much oil to put back in the compressor cause I can't pour it out and measure it. I suppose I could measure the oil out of my seized one and try this amount. Also I want to do this myself, so I am hinging on sticking with the R12 and 3 cans I have and doing a leak down vacuum test before I add R12. I can convert later if and when needed.

Now, my system is R12 and all the components, the compressor I just got was using r134a the seller says worked great when removed. He removed it cause he put a V8 in his car.

Obviously I don't know if he ever changed the oil. It appears to be green in color in the compressor I just got.

What do I use to clean the compressor and do I use mineral oil if I stay with R12 and also if I evacuate the system is that the same as flushing it? I really don't want a lot of expense.

Tips would be appreciated. Thanks