R12 or 134a
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
R12 or 134a
I have searched old threads and I'm looking for additional opinions. Just bought an 87 Vert. 75,000 miles. A/C not working. I believe it will need a new compressor. The car was retrofitted to r134a several years ago. One mechanic I talked to wants to go back to r12 another wants to leave it w/ r134a. Any pros or cons both about same price.... Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
R12: better at cooling. However, the fluid is illegal to manufacture, so you have to get recycled fluid, which is getting more and more expensive.
R134a: not as effective at cooling as R12, but it is legal to make now. So its cheaper and easier to refill.
The only reason R134a was developed is for environmental reasons. It's not as good as R12.
R134a: not as effective at cooling as R12, but it is legal to make now. So its cheaper and easier to refill.
The only reason R134a was developed is for environmental reasons. It's not as good as R12.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
You should have no problems getting good cooling out of the 134. I can see no reason to spend the money to put R12 back into it. Repairs will be more expensive with the R12 because of availability. JMO
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
I converted mine to 134a about 5 years ago (put a new compressor in) and it's worked fine ever since.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,284
Likes: 1
From: Whitehall Pa.
No problems since I converted over to R-134A about four years ago. I would prefer R-12 as the refrigerant of choice but as mentioned above the expense of obtaining it is going to make it prohibitive. Also it will be harder and harder to get.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Westfield IN
I just redid the entire system on my 86L a couple of weeks ago. Replaced EVERYTHING but the aluminum tube and am running R134. It is so stinkin' cold in there now! No matter what, I realized that virtually the same components used in a Corvette were used in things like Sedan deVilles!
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I had mine retrofitted to 134a (following an accidental break in the line during radiator removal) and it didn't cool well at all. Payed the extra cash to have it converted back to R12 and no complaints.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I had my 87 changed to R-134a when I had a compressor problem. Works fine now and the measured air temp at the center vents on full A/C was 37 degrees.
Have a reputable shop make any necessary repairs and use the R-134a. You will be cool on the warmest days.
Have a reputable shop make any necessary repairs and use the R-134a. You will be cool on the warmest days.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
AC change
I own a c4 and have a great deal of exp. on auto A/C sys. stay with R134 use change over oil and O ring sealer R 12 is dead blame the gov. not me. My vette cools just great on 134 it is dark bronz. and I live in NW Pa. when you change over you must vac. sys. and use corect oil and amount of ref.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
I have searched old threads and I'm looking for additional opinions. Just bought an 87 Vert. 75,000 miles. A/C not working. I believe it will need a new compressor. The car was retrofitted to r134a several years ago. One mechanic I talked to wants to go back to r12 another wants to leave it w/ r134a. Any pros or cons both about same price.... Thanks
My experience hasn't been the same as those who say r-12 costs a million bucks compared to r-134. Costs a little more, but not much.