Ecklers R134 conversion kit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
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From: Westfield IN
Ecklers R134 conversion kit
Has anyone used the R12 to R134 conversion kit from Ecklers that includes a new compressor, drier, evaporator orifice, oil, seals, fittings and adapter? I'm pretty sure my 86L compressor is shot (bearing made noise when I briefly forced it to run and is still set up for R12). I also think that all of the R12 in the system has long since escaped through the seals. Installing this kit looks to be something I could do myself, and then take it to a professional to have the system filled. Does this seem plausible? Even though I believe my system is empty now, would I have to have it evacuated before I installed this, or just have that done when I get the system filled with R134? Or is this just something I shouldn't mess with and have it all done by a professional?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Seeing as how the compressor is shot and the system is open you might as well go that way. Do the install your self then take it to have filled. I would think you will save labor on 3 or 4 hours but I don't really know what the book time is for doing that work. Shop around you might get parts for less @ say Napa or a local A/C supply house wholesaler.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Go to Auto Zone, OReilly's etc. and buy the new compressor. Install. When you install the compressor, be sure to get the 134 oil, and the 134 adaptor connections, it comes in a conversion kit at the discount stores for about $25. (there is one torx bolt at 6 o'clock on the bottom of the compressor that can be a stinker). When you have the system put back together, either rent an evacuatior (actually just a vacuum pump), or pay a shop to evacuate the system.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
The conversion kit with the oil is in the $30 range. Usually its a Castrol kit. As others stated replace the compressor and the receiver/Dryer and have a shop evac it for you. As to the above question the compressor will run on either as will the receiver/dryer. Your retrofitting the fittings and the Coolant the car uses.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Mar 23, 2009 at 02:31 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Take the car to a reputable shop that specializes in A/C work. They can install R-134a, add the necessary oil, and test everything and give you a working system and it only takes a few hours for them to do.
If your compressor is shot, it will serve as a core for a reman one. There is nothing different in the compressor for either refrigerant. Getting a new receiver/dryer is a good idea especially if the system has been open to air. Again, there is no difference in that part.
What a shop will do first is to charge the system and add a dye that's only visible to ultraviolet light so they can test for leaks. The will put a vacuum in the system so the necessary amount of R-134a can be properly installed. There are special valves for both the high side and low side for the install process and colored caps to indicate which side is which and the valves can only be used for R-134a equipment. The shop will also add two labels that indicates the system has R-134a installed.
If your compressor is shot, it will serve as a core for a reman one. There is nothing different in the compressor for either refrigerant. Getting a new receiver/dryer is a good idea especially if the system has been open to air. Again, there is no difference in that part.
What a shop will do first is to charge the system and add a dye that's only visible to ultraviolet light so they can test for leaks. The will put a vacuum in the system so the necessary amount of R-134a can be properly installed. There are special valves for both the high side and low side for the install process and colored caps to indicate which side is which and the valves can only be used for R-134a equipment. The shop will also add two labels that indicates the system has R-134a installed.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have R-134a in my 87 and the lowest temp I have seen is 38 degrees at the center dash outlets. I think that R-134a is typically only a few degrees hotter with the system set on max A/C and the fan on Hi.
