R-134A conversion update...

AFJuvat · 07-06-2002, 01:33 PM

So far everything seems to be fine. If I am lstill leaking, it is very slow. Vent temps have been holding in the high 40's during the day, can drop to 40 at night. No adverse effects noted so far (corrosion etc....)

AFJuvat

fly944 · 07-06-2002, 05:56 PM

Glad to hear the good news. It sounds as if you are out of the woods. I wish the 911 could reach 40 degrees w/r134 conversion.

stray15 · stray15's Garage

Wow, I didn't know you could get that cold with 134. I just put in 200 bucks worth of R12 in the other day for free. We did a test to see if it would hold a charge and it said it would. We will see, no loss for me since it was free.

maachan · 07-06-2002, 07:48 PM

Stray 15 your are lucky. I paid 100 for one and quarter pound of R-12.

AFJuvat, did you convert your system using a conversion kit available from auto part stores? Such as Pep boys?
I saw a kit today when I was there.

Maachan

stray15 · stray15's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by maachan
Stray 15 your are lucky. I paid 100 for one and quarter pound of R-12.

AFJuvat, did you convert your system using a conversion kit available from auto part stores? Such as Pep boys?
I saw a kit today when I was there.

Maachan

Yeah tell me about it. One of the benifits of working at a garage and helping out the mechanic at times. At our shop we charge 25 bucks a quarter pound. I think 134 is like 8 bucks a pound. We don't charge that much for profit. It just cost so much to get the stuff these days.

I thought about doing a retrofit but I like it cold, and R12 is colder. So I'm told anyways.

AFJuvat · 07-06-2002, 09:09 PM

Yeah, R-12 is colder without a doubt. But for those of us that even though we do work in a garage, R-12 is just so bloody expensive, 134 was a good comprimise.

Where I was kind of stuck is that I really didn't want to shell out the cash to really fix everything that is wrong with my AC (new compressor, new evaporator, reciever dryer and probably a hose or two...(the car has been in FL its whole life, so the AC has definately gotten a workout.)

AFJuvat

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Actually R-12 is still rather cheap as this is what the rest of the world still uses. Like a gallon of gas in Europe where 80% of the cost is taxes, the same holds here for R-12. The tentacles of socialism at work.

Gielamonster · 07-07-2002, 04:44 PM

Hey guys. I just tried fixing up my AC a week ago. I had Pep Boys vaccum the system down after putting in a new drier. I then tried to use the R134 conversion kit, but have run into a snag. The system took both cans of oil without a problem, but will not take the refridgerant. It took about the first 1/3 of one 12oz can, but won't suck any more in. I watched the compressor as I tried to charge it up, it clicked a few times, but never fully engaged. With the car off, I can spin the center section of the pulley (the part that doesn't spin when the engine is running) without any difficulty. I'm thinking something electrical is wrong, as I replaced the compressor a year or so ago for a verified functional used one. Is there an easy way to manually jump the compressor clutch and get the system charged correctly? I'm thinking it just needs a little push, as the other cars I've converted would cycle the compressor on for short bursts at first, then increasingly longer as the system filled. Its like my car isn't even to the point it can run the compressor at short bursts.

Any help with the issue. I took the car back to Pep Boys and they tried to tell me I'd have to pay them another $70 for an AC check even though they just did one on it.

maachan · 07-07-2002, 09:03 PM

I think there is a low pressure cut out switch located near reciever/dryer. If you fool that then the compressor would work, I think. You need to be carefull. The switch is there for a reason.

Maachan

stray15 · stray15's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
Actually R-12 is still rather cheap as this is what the rest of the world still uses. Like a gallon of gas in Europe where 80% of the cost is taxes, the same holds here for R-12. The tentacles of socialism at work.

Cheap?

It costs a grand for a 30 lb tank.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Yeap, cheap.

$90 for the R-12, $910 for socialist imposed taxes most of the rest of the "developed" world doesn't pay.

Where do you think all of the black market R-12 comes from???

Oh yes; Dupont used to have the exclusive patent on R-12. Now that the patent has run out Dupont has the exclusive patent on R-134.

Interesting.

Quickbeam · 07-08-2002, 10:24 AM

Gielamonster, The compressor clutch uses a 12v signal to turn on and off. Look for the electrical connector at the compressor. It should have two terminals. Run 12v to it and the clutch should engage. Good luck.

AFJuvat · 07-08-2002, 06:53 PM

Yes, I used the kit from pep-boys. Actually discount auto parts, but you get the idea.

I rigged my air compressor to function as a pump, but I would recommend getting the system evacuated from a shop. Most places will do it for close to free seeing as you are giving them R-12.

I didn't even mess with the high side of the system, did everything from the low.

AFJuvat

Gielamonster · 07-09-2002, 10:06 AM

http://www.griffiths.com/achelp/achelp4.htm

Has info that will help me, might help others too.