R-12 to R-134a
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672 Posts
true
you are right.
but it is no longer available to the general public,and R-134a is much cheaper and available just about every auto shop..
R-12 costs about $85 a pound
while R-134a costs about $40 a pound
and the RRC needs 2.6 pounds doing the calculations its a savings of about $ 117 not including the labor.
and next time i need a recharge i can just go and pull a can off the shelf and recharge it my self ..
dont need to bother about going to the AC specialist or mechanic.
what say u ?
you are right.
but it is no longer available to the general public,and R-134a is much cheaper and available just about every auto shop..
R-12 costs about $85 a pound
while R-134a costs about $40 a pound
and the RRC needs 2.6 pounds doing the calculations its a savings of about $ 117 not including the labor.
and next time i need a recharge i can just go and pull a can off the shelf and recharge it my self ..
dont need to bother about going to the AC specialist or mechanic.
what say u ?
R12 is still available, but harder to get as the years go by, and eventually you will have to change over. The retrofit, I imagine, is not cheap either. Your dilemma is, do you keep recharging with hard to get R12, or, change over. I guess you have to consider, how long you intend to keep the vehicle.
Joined
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40 Posts
Don't try this at home!
If you have read the manual, you will know that the CFC in R12 is fluorine based and if it mixes with water (eg the moisture on the conjunctiva of your eye) it becomes VERY CAUSTIC, so DO NOT DRAIN THE SYSTEM YOURSELF!!!
R13/14 use a different lubricant from that specified for R12, and if you do change there is a risk that the new lubricant will rot the O-rings throughout the entire system, necessitating a very extensive and expensive overhaul. That said, my local aircon expert says it usually doesn't cause a problem, at least not for some time. He's using R14 in the R12 system in his Rolls Royce without changing anything.
The old oil is extracted as part of the recharge process, for which you need the proper scavenging equipment, which a proper AC expert will have and he will be able to refill with the correct volume of new lubricant.
In short, don't change the gas unless you have to and then only do it if you can get someone with the right kit to do it for you. Then beware of seal failures
My 20 year old RRC still has the original charge of R12 which hasn't needed topping up and it's a "real cool car" !
If you have read the manual, you will know that the CFC in R12 is fluorine based and if it mixes with water (eg the moisture on the conjunctiva of your eye) it becomes VERY CAUSTIC, so DO NOT DRAIN THE SYSTEM YOURSELF!!!
R13/14 use a different lubricant from that specified for R12, and if you do change there is a risk that the new lubricant will rot the O-rings throughout the entire system, necessitating a very extensive and expensive overhaul. That said, my local aircon expert says it usually doesn't cause a problem, at least not for some time. He's using R14 in the R12 system in his Rolls Royce without changing anything.
The old oil is extracted as part of the recharge process, for which you need the proper scavenging equipment, which a proper AC expert will have and he will be able to refill with the correct volume of new lubricant.
In short, don't change the gas unless you have to and then only do it if you can get someone with the right kit to do it for you. Then beware of seal failures
My 20 year old RRC still has the original charge of R12 which hasn't needed topping up and it's a "real cool car" !
Joined
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13 Posts
Don't let everyone scare you away from r134a. I've had two RRCs "converted" to 134a without any issues. When they say convert, basically all that means is a kit of adapters to be able to properly charge the system with 134. And anyone that says it doesn't cool well, they probably skipped past one vital step... Replacing the expansion valve. It's also very important that the system is fully evacuated before changing over.
R12 most likely does cool a bit better on these older systems. But, it's definitely not a night and day difference. R12 is pretty much being phased out in many areas due to environmental concerns. Where it is available, it's usually very expensive and not worth the extra cost.
If your R12 system is working, leave it alone. If not, don't be scared of r134a. I haven't known of anyone that had it destroy their A/C system.
R12 most likely does cool a bit better on these older systems. But, it's definitely not a night and day difference. R12 is pretty much being phased out in many areas due to environmental concerns. Where it is available, it's usually very expensive and not worth the extra cost.
If your R12 system is working, leave it alone. If not, don't be scared of r134a. I haven't known of anyone that had it destroy their A/C system.
Joined
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672 Posts
getting it done.
not lettin no one scare me ..
i was thinking of doing it my self as i saw a DIY kit with attachments at kragen but ,as i am going to have the ac place drain the oil for me ill ask them to do it for me as its just going to be an small additional cost, and if any thing goes wrong with the ac i can blame them.
so lets see how this goes.
will keep you'll in the loop bout what happens.
not lettin no one scare me ..
i was thinking of doing it my self as i saw a DIY kit with attachments at kragen but ,as i am going to have the ac place drain the oil for me ill ask them to do it for me as its just going to be an small additional cost, and if any thing goes wrong with the ac i can blame them.
so lets see how this goes.
will keep you'll in the loop bout what happens.
Joined
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79 Posts
Take a look at Freeze 12. Used it in my old Volvo and it worked great!
-Coach
-Coach
Joined
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3,205 Posts
No troubles on the conversion for me.
http://www.okierover.com/ac-repair.htm
http://www.okierover.com/ac-repair.htm
Joined
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672 Posts
low down
so heres the low down.
i was looking for shops that will convert but most of them refused
i have no idea why?
and the ones that agreed were asking way too much .. the least was 350+ parts if needed.
but all is well.
i found this guy called juan duran ,some where in his late 20's early 30's
good guy,
he said he'll charge me $ 35 to pressure test the system and see if it is in working condition and then see what we needed to do for which i agreed.
so he did and found that the system is fine and that there was a small blockage somewhere in the system, for which he wanted to remove all the hoses, that is when i said ,
ok then how much do i owe u for checking it out? ,
he asked me to hold on ,he said ill see what i can do.
he called a friend from the neighbouring shop and they were fiddling with one of the connectors behind the compressor,
and walla we have cold air... not that cold so he charged it with about 1.6 pounds.and i have a cold storage in wheels (freakin cold).
so finally i did not convert to R-134a, but if i a cracked hose or something i would have.
all things said and done i am satisfied with his service , and all that for a small fee of $ 145 . :clap:
forgot to tell youll that he also discovered that my motor had lost a whole lot of oil i mean a lot. :bawling:
so heres the low down.
i was looking for shops that will convert but most of them refused
i have no idea why?
and the ones that agreed were asking way too much .. the least was 350+ parts if needed.
but all is well.
i found this guy called juan duran ,some where in his late 20's early 30's
good guy,
he said he'll charge me $ 35 to pressure test the system and see if it is in working condition and then see what we needed to do for which i agreed.
so he did and found that the system is fine and that there was a small blockage somewhere in the system, for which he wanted to remove all the hoses, that is when i said ,
ok then how much do i owe u for checking it out? ,
he asked me to hold on ,he said ill see what i can do.
he called a friend from the neighbouring shop and they were fiddling with one of the connectors behind the compressor,
and walla we have cold air... not that cold so he charged it with about 1.6 pounds.and i have a cold storage in wheels (freakin cold).
so finally i did not convert to R-134a, but if i a cracked hose or something i would have.
all things said and done i am satisfied with his service , and all that for a small fee of $ 145 . :clap:
forgot to tell youll that he also discovered that my motor had lost a whole lot of oil i mean a lot. :bawling:
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