Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it?
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it?
Can I put the R134 kit in it....(the cans of stuff that is)....???
I want to see if the system is just low on freon....this is all that is being sold I believe....the R-134.
Jeff
I want to see if the system is just low on freon....this is all that is being sold I believe....the R-134.
Jeff
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
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From: COCOA Florida
Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (XtremeVette)
you should not (make that cannot) mix the refrigerants. if you had r12 then use r12 otherwise you need to do a conversion and replace seals, oil etc for the system to perform properly and provide you the comfort you want without hurting the other systems, ( cooling and engine etc). If you are low on freon and it is r12, and you don't want to spend the money to charge and find the leak, you can use DRY NITROGEN to pressure the system and find the leak, fix it, evacuate the system and convert it over to r134 after the leak is found and repaired. other short term fixes just waste your money and can cause other systems to take loads or conditions they were not designed to handle thereby causing other high dollar expenses for you. hope it helps you make good decisions.
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (C4TOMCAT)
yeh..actually that does help out a lot....thanks Tom
can you buy R-12 anywhere?
can you buy R-12 anywhere?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (XtremeVette)
My buddy just took 20 cans off somebody's hands at a garage sale for $5. That's about the only place you can get it w/o a license. It's also about $50 a # now-a days.
I had mine recharged last year, cost a small fortune. But man does that R12 blow COLD! Love it!
I had mine recharged last year, cost a small fortune. But man does that R12 blow COLD! Love it!
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 515
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From: Nashua NH
Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (XtremeVette)
Okay, here's the deal....
If your vehicle was built before 1988 (which yours isn't) you have to change EVERYTHING (just about)...the newer style lines (like yours) are neoprene lined, so what you DO have to change is:
Remove compressor and change oil from mineral base to PAG or ester
Remove all lines and change o-rings to R-134a compatible
Replace accumulator
Replace orifice tube
Flush condenser, evaporator, and all lines with mineral spirits
All R-12 has to be reclaimed BY LAW by a repair facility with a certified A/C recovery machine operated by a certified technician.
Once all of the above steps are taken, the system has to be brought down to 29 inches of vaccuum for a minimum of one hour to remove all contaminants and non-condensible gases (moisture).
Only after all of these steps have been completes may you introduce R134a to your A/C system. This is important, since these refrigerants are not compatible with each other, and also because cross-contamination of a known refrigerant is a BIG NO-NO :nono:
Hope I didn't scare you off; this is what I do for a living...it seems like a big pain in the neck, but it's required by law, so it's really just another day at the office :smash:
Hope this sheds some light!!
If your vehicle was built before 1988 (which yours isn't) you have to change EVERYTHING (just about)...the newer style lines (like yours) are neoprene lined, so what you DO have to change is:
Remove compressor and change oil from mineral base to PAG or ester
Remove all lines and change o-rings to R-134a compatible
Replace accumulator
Replace orifice tube
Flush condenser, evaporator, and all lines with mineral spirits
All R-12 has to be reclaimed BY LAW by a repair facility with a certified A/C recovery machine operated by a certified technician.
Once all of the above steps are taken, the system has to be brought down to 29 inches of vaccuum for a minimum of one hour to remove all contaminants and non-condensible gases (moisture).
Only after all of these steps have been completes may you introduce R134a to your A/C system. This is important, since these refrigerants are not compatible with each other, and also because cross-contamination of a known refrigerant is a BIG NO-NO :nono:
Hope I didn't scare you off; this is what I do for a living...it seems like a big pain in the neck, but it's required by law, so it's really just another day at the office :smash:
Hope this sheds some light!!
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
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From: Granby, MA
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Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (Mark85Vett)
Mark....thanks for the tip....I do however have a big question....I just got off the phone with my local auto parts store...in this case...Advance Automotive....*(yes part of the big chain)...
they sell an over the counter kit that claims to convert your system from R-12 to R-134....and I have seen it....most of the stuff you mention is not in the kit....just some very small parts...a can of oil and couple cans of the R-134....
So are they misleading... or maybe the laws in your state differ from MA...I really don't know...but I checked out some other auto part stores too....AutoZone and Pep Boys....also sell this conversion kit.....
still wondering what to do....thanks
jeff
they sell an over the counter kit that claims to convert your system from R-12 to R-134....and I have seen it....most of the stuff you mention is not in the kit....just some very small parts...a can of oil and couple cans of the R-134....
So are they misleading... or maybe the laws in your state differ from MA...I really don't know...but I checked out some other auto part stores too....AutoZone and Pep Boys....also sell this conversion kit.....
still wondering what to do....thanks
jeff
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Nashua NH
Re: Empty AC System...Can R134 be put in it? (XtremeVette)
Jeff,
The laws regarding the handling of refrigerants are at the federal level, but I work in Dracut, so I'm familiar with the stores you are mentioning.
Those kits are OK for a conversion for a later model vehicle (such as yours), but you still have to have the old stuff recovered, and the system bought down to a vacuum to introduce the new refrigerant. Once the old stuff is reclaimed, you can probably go to a rental store in your area and rent a vacuum pump and a set of manifold gauges to make sure you have no leaks and to bring the system down to a vacuum. If you run into any problems, send me an email and I'll try my best to help you out. :cool:
The laws regarding the handling of refrigerants are at the federal level, but I work in Dracut, so I'm familiar with the stores you are mentioning.
Those kits are OK for a conversion for a later model vehicle (such as yours), but you still have to have the old stuff recovered, and the system bought down to a vacuum to introduce the new refrigerant. Once the old stuff is reclaimed, you can probably go to a rental store in your area and rent a vacuum pump and a set of manifold gauges to make sure you have no leaks and to bring the system down to a vacuum. If you run into any problems, send me an email and I'll try my best to help you out. :cool:
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