R134 conversion. Should I bother?
 

I picked up one of those $49 kits at Autozone which claims to have everything needed to upgrade an R12 system to an R134 AC system.

I read through the small number of posts here on this, using the beloved search function....and understand the need to clear the system of the previous R12 oil...etc.

but Im left wondering whether this cheap little kit will do anything at all to keep me chilled in the summer. Any one here ever use one of these successfully with the 911...or have a better low cost solution?

When I revamped my AC last spring, I was told by my AC expert that when you change over to 134A you never remove all the R12 oil from the system. The question then remains with compatibility. Also, 134A has leakage problems with old hoses and you should covert over to barrier hose.
I'm sure that others more knowledgable that I will chime in shortly.

You should replace the drier in the drivers side fender. While the system is open, it should be flushed with a special solvent made just for AC systems, it removes the old oil and moisture. While my system was open, I removed the evaporator ( in the smugglers box) and cleaned all the years of accumulation and found a mouse nest under it all. I used a synthetic oil called ROC OiL, which is compatible with R12 and R134. The bently manual has all the amounts that you need to put in each part of the system. You could use ester oil, evac the system and see what you get with the R134, but even when these things are working at 100% they are not that good.

R134a is about 80-85% as efficient as R12....

Wheras R12a..."Duracool"....is more efficient than R12. But some people get all nervous about the propane/propane mix ...flammability of such things....

Nevermind the 22 gal gas tank we carry around ( and not always full at that !)

Wil