Time for the AC r134 conversion?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 6
From: Santa Ana CA
Time for the AC r134 conversion?
Figured out why my ac isnt working :/
Not sure if its worth replacing the original hoses, to then suffer and find a place that will put R12 back in there.
Is now the time to do the 134 conversion?
Not sure if its worth replacing the original hoses, to then suffer and find a place that will put R12 back in there.
Is now the time to do the 134 conversion?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Usually when there's a leak you'll find oil residue in the area. I don't see any in your pic. I stay with R12 if at all possible. That's what the system is designed for and it's still readily available. Going with 134a does not always provide proper cooling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
You"ll be much happier to just replace the hose assembly and recharge with R12. The aftermarket ,vintage air etc. don't make a kit to fit later c3's. If you're handy or have a big wallet, there are changes that can be made to make the r134a perform, but your least expensive option for now is to stay with what you have.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 6
From: Santa Ana CA
Its really a crack. Photo doesnt show it all that well, but its fully cracked. The AC stopped working over a year ago, and I never got around to investigating, but popped the hood a few days ago and noticed the monster crack in the line.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 6
From: Santa Ana CA
Just today a buddy gave me 2 cans of R12 he had stored in his garage!
Looks like to entire hose assembly is only $60, so I think I will follow the advice here and replace the hoses and recharge with R12.
Any idea how difficult those hoses are to replace? Looks pretty buried in there.
Looks like to entire hose assembly is only $60, so I think I will follow the advice here and replace the hoses and recharge with R12.
Any idea how difficult those hoses are to replace? Looks pretty buried in there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 6
From: Santa Ana CA
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Your new one will have caps over the ends, don't remove them until you are ready to install it.. Pick a dry day vs a humid day for the job to keep moisture absorption to a minimum if you have the option.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Sep 13, 2015 at 01:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
You don't have a drier, you have an accumulator.
The accumulator does two things:
1. Inside the accumulator is a desiccant bag, used to remove moisture from the system. Since yours has been open to atmosphere the desiccant is used up.
2. You have a R4 compressor that does not have an oil reservoir. It gets all lubrication from the oil circulating with the Freon. Inside the accumulator is an oil separator and metering orifice. The separator removes the oil from the Freon. The oil then falls to the bottom of the accumulator. The orifice at the bottom then meters the amount of oil going into the compressor. The orifice is very small. If it gets plugged by any trash in the system it will stop oil flow to the compressor and burn it up.
This is why they always insist you replace the accumulator when you buy a compressor.
Mike
The accumulator does two things:
1. Inside the accumulator is a desiccant bag, used to remove moisture from the system. Since yours has been open to atmosphere the desiccant is used up.
2. You have a R4 compressor that does not have an oil reservoir. It gets all lubrication from the oil circulating with the Freon. Inside the accumulator is an oil separator and metering orifice. The separator removes the oil from the Freon. The oil then falls to the bottom of the accumulator. The orifice at the bottom then meters the amount of oil going into the compressor. The orifice is very small. If it gets plugged by any trash in the system it will stop oil flow to the compressor and burn it up.
This is why they always insist you replace the accumulator when you buy a compressor.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Dryer should be replaced every time the system is open. As mentioned, it absorbs moisture (from the air), one of the enemys of a/c. It should be the last thing replaced and done so just before pump down. Good luck.