AC question
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Cromwell Ct
AC question
I bought a can of r134a for my 87 but the hose that came with it won't fit on my ac unit.Does this mean i have a r-12 unit?I have a corvette book by Haynes and thats what it tells me i need.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Westerly RI
Your car came with R12. If you want to switch to R134a you have to get the system evacuated. The two are not compatible.
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From: So. Cal.
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Its an easy change over. Can get everything you need at autozone. But you need to have your system completly vacuumed before adding diff. refig.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, Ca
80% R134 and it can't be mixed with R12 either. Mixing refrigerents is a good way to blow a hole in something as it can effectively double operating pressures. If you want to buy R12, get your license at www.epatest.com and buy all you want. Otherwise, whatever is in it needs to come out and replace the Accumulator so it doesn't fall apart and plug it up.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: wilmington De
"Accumulator so it doesn't fall apart and plug it up" so would i need to buy a new one?? plug what?? i was thinks about converting next week so this might help. if not ebay has alot R12 for sale
Drifting
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From: Westerly RI
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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He's right. Especially in high heat/humidity environments like we're seeing right now in many part of the Southeast. My '92 blows ice box cold, so much so it numbs my hands on maximum output.
Last edited by onedef92; Jul 7, 2010 at 02:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Thats because your 92 A/C system was designed to use R12. R134 will not be as efficient. A later built system, say my 2001 Ram truck, designed for R134 will freeze the ***** off a brass monkey. I, for one, think R134 sometimes gets a bad rap. FWIW I am using Freeze 12 in the 85 Vette. Works well but required the same flushing as R134.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Raleigh NC
Are you sure you are not trying to put it on the high pressure side fitting? Is it a screw type fitting or a snap on type, the screw on type is an R12 system. The snap on type is the 134.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, Ca
The fittings are different with R134 using a "quick connect" and R12 threaded. It's a safety feature. Mixing gases can lead to extraordinary pressures that will trip the High Pressure Limit; spurt gas from the compressor relief valve; and/or blow a hole in something - like the hood or yourself.
The Accumulator has 2 purposes - suck up any residual moisture using a desiccant that will otherwise create an acid and rot it out; and to boil off any liquid that didn't boil in the Evaporator which would otherwise hydrolock the compressor. It's innards, if original, are only compatible with R12. Dump something else in it and it falls apart. Those chunks are then sucked into the Compressor and before it seizes, spit out into the Condensor, lines, and everyting else plugging it up. If it keeps running long enough; see above about extraordinary pressures. You want cold air - not a car bomb, I think.
The Accumulator has 2 purposes - suck up any residual moisture using a desiccant that will otherwise create an acid and rot it out; and to boil off any liquid that didn't boil in the Evaporator which would otherwise hydrolock the compressor. It's innards, if original, are only compatible with R12. Dump something else in it and it falls apart. Those chunks are then sucked into the Compressor and before it seizes, spit out into the Condensor, lines, and everyting else plugging it up. If it keeps running long enough; see above about extraordinary pressures. You want cold air - not a car bomb, I think.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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134a Sucks in the C4 even if YOU did the conversion properly.
Gold's right. I had R134a retrofitted for my car and went back to R-12 because I didn't like the vent temps (or lack thereof) R134a offered.
Gold's right. I had R134a retrofitted for my car and went back to R-12 because I didn't like the vent temps (or lack thereof) R134a offered.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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