AC r12 Recharge and or Conversion

[lada03]

Hello,
I plan on driving my porsche from FL to IL next week. Can someone please recomend a porsche shop in south Florida that can do a r12 recharge or r134 conversion?

much appreciated, Iam in the Stuart, FL area

[Bob Kontak]

Just pulled this off Google. No clue if they handle R12.

Stuart Auto A/C Inc
3233 SE Dominica Ter
Stuart, FL 34997 (5719)

772-286-6368

[lada03]

thank you for the info.
About $185 for an R12 recharge

[Bob Kontak]

If they evacuate and pull a vacuum to make sure it is leak free that is not an unfair price.

Takes about three cans of R12 (about 32 ounces) so at, say $30+ per 12oz can, it's under $100 for labor. They most likely buy in volume and they will have 30 pound containers of R12 so some margin will be made on the Freon.

Ask if you will be getting fresh R12 or recycled R12 (scavenged from other cars). I do not know if they are even allowed to use the used stuff but if they convince you they scrub out the contaminants, might be just fine.

[lada03]

lol, Guy gave me a quote of $185 for 2 pounds of R12. He is now saying its closer to 3lbs and will be more expensive at aroudn $260. He does have a big cylidner and its all fresh. He will check for leaks as well before charging.

I have found places in FL that will do an upgrade to 134a for $250. Basically just changing the dryer, empting out the R12 and putting in 134.

This porsche shop assures me that the compressor/hoses dont need to be replaced.

Better be safe and stick with R12

[mb911]

I have been doing some research and found that RED TEK or Hot Shot are both options for the DIY guys. I would like to try RED TEK but I dont need a case for $100 but only 3 cans so if anyone is in to split the cost we could work it out

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by lada03

lol, Guy gave me a quote of $185 for 2 pounds of R12.

Ouch. I did some research and it is more than 32 ozs. Three pounds are not needed - maybe a little more than 2 1/2 including freon lost in the feed lines (2oz from what I remember)

I would suck up the cost this time for the R12 and then consider obtaining the Mobile Air Conditioning Society EPA 609 certification which will allow you to buy R12 so you can zap your system annually with a few ounces that leak out normally. Plenty of R12 cans for sale on ebay around the $30 mark per 12-14 oz can.

It is an on-line open book test and under $100. I think I paid $25 in the mid 1990's. It is not simple but it is do-able with the open book and you learn plenty.

You can buy R12 with the MACS 609 but you cannot discharge into the atmosphere (ever) or evacuate without more extensive EPA certification.

If you go with the R134 option you can re-charge more cheaply but R134 is not relatively"free" like it used to be. You will then need gauges to get close to the correct amount in as you can't use the R/D bubbles-in-the-sight-glass method like you can with R12.

If your home location is in the north, the R134 argument is fair given you can survive without the few extra therms the R12 will strip out. If I lived in Florida, I would pony up for a system upgrade.

[GH85Carrera]

I still use R-12 and I think it is a better coolant than the other options.

[uwanna]

If you are going to continue to use R12, I would replace your old leaky original hoses with a new set of barrier hoses. (or definetly if you use R134) Here's a link to a post of mine about having new hoses made up for a very reasonable price (less than $200). Even when new, the original R12 hoses leaked out freon albeit very slowly. Back then, we didn't give a hoot, as R12 was only $.79 for a 12oz can. The hose supplier I mentioned has an outlet in FLA. You just remove and take your old hoses to them, and they can duplicate them in light weight barrier hoses. After the replacement, the old "freon top up" of years past, should be history!

84 AC actually works!

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by gh85carrera

i still use r-12 and i think it is a better coolant than the other options.

++1 amen!

[lada03]

thanks for your help guys

[dshepp806]

I'm considering the same option,..just get some fresh barrier hose in there and add the fans on the rear condensor.......we'll see. I'm still with R12, too.

One day, I'll get her converted on the latest/greatest of AC cooling with one of the "kits" out there...!!!

BEST!

Doyle

[yogi]

You have two options in South Florida that I know of for r-12. Richard Danvers Porsche Repair 954 455-0404 or Kel Auto Air 954 524-1169. Over the years I have used both of them and have been happy with both.

[lada03]

thank Jerry. Will call them tomorrow