AC Recharge
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
AC Recharge
I'm in Wisconsin and a friend of mine indicated that I can get the recharge kit for my AC at Wal-mart by going across the border to Illinois. That said, is there anything else special I need? Someone else told me that I would have to convert the fitting or something from the original?
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
I'm in Wisconsin and a friend of mine indicated that I can get the recharge kit for my AC at Wal-mart by going across the border to Illinois. That said, is there anything else special I need? Someone else told me that I would have to convert the fitting or something from the original?
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
OK, I see in your profile that you have a '79.
Read this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2121230
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Sep 3, 2008 at 06:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The factory '79 used R-134a? Has the car been retrofitted for R-134a? You can't just stick that stuff in an R-12 system. You can still get your R-12 system charged up by a certified A/C repair place.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
Wow, I had planned on yanking the AC from my car since it doesn't work... but if it is cheap maybe I'll give it a shot myself.
My wife would be much, much happier in the summer, which would lead to more seat time!
My wife would be much, much happier in the summer, which would lead to more seat time!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Really? Where? Not where I live. You cannot buy R12 anymore. Seems this project will have to wait. I am likely just going to take it in and have it professionally evacuated and retrofitted, then filled with the r134a. I have no way of evacuating it myself, else I would do it myself.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
(Not saying you're wrong, 'cause I've never used it. But maybe?)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
Really? Where? Not where I live. You cannot buy R12 anymore. Seems this project will have to wait. I am likely just going to take it in and have it professionally evacuated and retrofitted, then filled with the r134a. I have no way of evacuating it myself, else I would do it myself.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Well, this says you can.... http://www.id-usa.com/product.asp?CID=28&PID=24
(Not saying you're wrong, 'cause I've never used it. But maybe?)
(Not saying you're wrong, 'cause I've never used it. But maybe?)
I guess I fear doing damage to the system more than I do the excessive heat and larger bill at the mechanic.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A proper filling of the A/C system requires a nearly complete vacuum be applied to the system lines for a significant period of time [an hour or more] in order to get ALL the moisture, etc. out of the system components. A hand vacuum won't get that job done. Take it to an A/C service place. If you just can't get R-12 in Wisconsin {state law maybe???...trying to go "green"??}, go to Illinois, etc. If you do a "Bubba"-job on your A/C system, it will cost you big buck$.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
If you have R-12 you need to convert to R134a. Replacing all the necessary components, flushing, evacuating and charging the system is not cheap. It can be done however if you have some mechanical ability and the right tools.
If you don't flush the system with A/C flush in a pressurized can and replace the necessary components you will back to having a non functioning A/C system.
The vacuum pump should be capable of sucking close to one atmosphere or somewhere near 28-29 in Hg.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
R-12 Freon is still available but somewhat expensive. Most places however want to see your certificate before selling it to you. I've seen some on Ebay for about $20.00 per can and you'll need about 2 to 3 cans. Check the fitting on your high and low side to see if it's still R-12 or R-134a. If it's been converted professionally that it should have mention of it somewhere under the hood.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fla
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
Given you live in WI and really don't need/use your AC that often, just go to Autozone and buy the $35 kit and be done with it. The R12 has probably leaked out entirely, and if it hasn't, take it to an shop and have it evacuated...then follow the instructions on the kit. You don't have to replace all your other parts right now. Its not mandatory that you evacuate 100% of the air out either. I know this because I retrofitted my girlfriends IROCZ and my 89 GMC Jimmy with Autozone kits over 2 years ago and they are both still blowing cold (and I live in Austin, Texas). Does it blow as cold as the R12, no...Did I evacuate all the air out? probably not...Does it work? Yes.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
Harbor freight has cheap vacuum pumps..
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=96677
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=96677
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 754
Likes: 37
From: Connelly Springs NC
To convert you first have to flush the system to remove the old oil. It is not compatable with R134a. You may have to replacethe hoses becouse thay are too porus and the o-rings are not compatable. Then you have to pull a very high vacuum before charging. This is assuming you found the leaks that caused you to loose the freon in the first place.
I am recharging my system with r12. You can get a MACS certificate after taking a test for $15.
I am recharging my system with r12. You can get a MACS certificate after taking a test for $15.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: TN
I tried to reuse my old hoses and the 134a just leaked right back out. 134a is not as dense as r12 and will leak out of a smaller hole. One of the main reasons you have to run a vacuum pump for so long is that moisture will boil at a lower temp if it is in a vacuum. I do a little HVAC work and Freon and water are very corrosive when mixed and form an acid. If I'm working on a big system and it has been open for a while I will run a vacuum pump overnight. We also don't like to open up a system if it has been raining and the relative humidity is high. You can actually see steam coming out of the vacuum pump especially if the system has been open for a while. After the vacuum is complete I shut the valves off on the gages and let it sit for a while to see if it will hold the vacuum. That is one of the best indications that there is no leak so you don't charge your system just to find out it is not sealed and have to spend more money on freon. My problem is that I like to "weigh in" my freon instead of charging it according to pressure because the pressure varies according to outside temps. or under the hood temps. and I don't know how much 134a is used to replace r12. I hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Well, this says you can.... http://www.id-usa.com/product.asp?CID=28&PID=24
(Not saying you're wrong, 'cause I've never used it. But maybe?)
(Not saying you're wrong, 'cause I've never used it. But maybe?)
Do I need to retrofit before recharging?
If your car is a 1994 or earlier model, you probably have an R-12 A/C system (a system that uses R-12 refrigerant) and need to retrofit before recharging with R-134a refrigerant. Check under the hood for a label indicating whether the system is R-12 or R-134a.