Air Conditioner Conversion
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Air Conditioner Conversion
Hey everyone,
I've been doing some research on converting my air conditioning, and I seem to be getting very mixed answers. I've been calling around to the local places like Auto Zone, Advance Auto, etc.. they all say I can convert my air conditioning using a little 35 dollar kit. But if I talk to the old timer mechanic type people (which there are a LOT of here in East Tennessee), they all tell me I need a new dryer.
Anyone have a definitive answer? I've already bought the kit but I don't want to go any further until I know whether or not to buy a dryer.. about 50% tell me that it's not as vital as once believed, and a good vacuum job will do the trick. The other 50% tell me that a new dryer is necessary.
If it matters, I have an 88 with currently working air conditioning.. Just the R12 type. I may have a small leak and that's why I want to convert it in the first place.
Thanks.
I've been doing some research on converting my air conditioning, and I seem to be getting very mixed answers. I've been calling around to the local places like Auto Zone, Advance Auto, etc.. they all say I can convert my air conditioning using a little 35 dollar kit. But if I talk to the old timer mechanic type people (which there are a LOT of here in East Tennessee), they all tell me I need a new dryer.
Anyone have a definitive answer? I've already bought the kit but I don't want to go any further until I know whether or not to buy a dryer.. about 50% tell me that it's not as vital as once believed, and a good vacuum job will do the trick. The other 50% tell me that a new dryer is necessary.
If it matters, I have an 88 with currently working air conditioning.. Just the R12 type. I may have a small leak and that's why I want to convert it in the first place.
Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (Tourney3p0)
Let me preface this by saying I have never done an AC conversion on a Vette...we have done several other GM cars, a Jeep, and a Ford.
My uncle has converted almost all my relatives cars. He converted my father's '88 Dodge Van (168K miles) 2 years ago and it was still blowing cold when he sold it a few months ago. He converted an '88 Monte Carlo for me (my grandmother's car.....V8 40K miles :lol: ) and it has worked great.....it blows the coldest of any of my cars. He has also done my aunt's Jeep Cherokee and his own Ford Granada.
None of these were done by replacing the dryer or any of the hoses......he used the kit you can buy. He did purchase the pressure gauge also just to make sure he didn't put too much R134A in. (gauge was like $25)
So I guess I am saying I have seen it done by just using the $35 kit. It includes the new fittings and a can of oil that has a stopleak built into it, plus the R134A, and it has worked so far.
I have read that you "should" replace the dryer and hoses, and maybe one of our more mechancial minded members can clarify :yesnod:
My uncle has converted almost all my relatives cars. He converted my father's '88 Dodge Van (168K miles) 2 years ago and it was still blowing cold when he sold it a few months ago. He converted an '88 Monte Carlo for me (my grandmother's car.....V8 40K miles :lol: ) and it has worked great.....it blows the coldest of any of my cars. He has also done my aunt's Jeep Cherokee and his own Ford Granada.
None of these were done by replacing the dryer or any of the hoses......he used the kit you can buy. He did purchase the pressure gauge also just to make sure he didn't put too much R134A in. (gauge was like $25)
So I guess I am saying I have seen it done by just using the $35 kit. It includes the new fittings and a can of oil that has a stopleak built into it, plus the R134A, and it has worked so far.
I have read that you "should" replace the dryer and hoses, and maybe one of our more mechancial minded members can clarify :yesnod:
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 20
From: Derby Kansas
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (Tourney3p0)
R-12 oil is incompatible with 134 oil(but you probably already know that). The oil tends to accumulater in the dryer, so I think it would be a good idea to change it. I've heard quite a few stories of people losing their compressor within the first year after converting by just using the kit with nothing else.
I went all out when I converted mine as I didn't want to have to do it again.
I flushed everything and replaced my compressor, all seals and my drier. I also installed a "variable orifice valve" to compensate for the R-134 not being as efficient as the old R-12.
I then had a shop pull a vacuum and service it with the correct amount of R134 as I didn't want to guess at the "right" amount and possibly overpressurize anything.
That was almost 2 years ago and I haven't had any problems. It takes a while to really cool down when you're around 100*, But hey, what doesn't?
I went all out when I converted mine as I didn't want to have to do it again.
I flushed everything and replaced my compressor, all seals and my drier. I also installed a "variable orifice valve" to compensate for the R-134 not being as efficient as the old R-12.
I then had a shop pull a vacuum and service it with the correct amount of R134 as I didn't want to guess at the "right" amount and possibly overpressurize anything.
That was almost 2 years ago and I haven't had any problems. It takes a while to really cool down when you're around 100*, But hey, what doesn't?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Micco FL
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (drive it)
Just one more opinion to muddy the waters. It is true that 12 and 134 oils are not compatable. It is also true that the dryer/accumulator retains most of the oil...therefore is it not logical to replace it. Likewise is it not logical to flush the system before charging it with a non-compatable oil. Did the conversion on my Vette. It included dryer/accumulator, oriface valve and "O"rings/seals. No problems and believe me...its gets real hot most of the year here in south Florida.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (Tourney3p0)
Here's my question for you. Regardless if you can or you cant or what anybody else says, is it worth it taking the chance of possibly kill the compressor to save a little bit of money now? If the compressor dies, you will need to flush and open up the entire system to repair it. I recently retro-fitted my 86 for 134a and here is what I did...
Replaced compressor (old one was dead)
Replaced Orifice tube
Replaced dryer/accumulator
O-rings
All in all, the project cost me about $450 because I came across some other problems I did not expect (blower module bad and blower had a short). Im going on 2 month with this system and it is still blowing cold. I only regret not replacing the condensor while the system was apart.
Not saying you HAVE to replace anything, but before you start, ask yourself "Is it worth taking the chance saving a few bucks now?"
Kinda like asking yourself "Should I use 7/11 motor oil?" May not ever cause a problem, but what if it does?
Replaced compressor (old one was dead)
Replaced Orifice tube
Replaced dryer/accumulator
O-rings
All in all, the project cost me about $450 because I came across some other problems I did not expect (blower module bad and blower had a short). Im going on 2 month with this system and it is still blowing cold. I only regret not replacing the condensor while the system was apart.
Not saying you HAVE to replace anything, but before you start, ask yourself "Is it worth taking the chance saving a few bucks now?"
Kinda like asking yourself "Should I use 7/11 motor oil?" May not ever cause a problem, but what if it does?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (Tourney3p0)
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Air Conditioner Conversion (Tourney3p0)
Although it is not necessary to replace the dryer, it is highly recommended. The conversion should be done by someone knowledgable in the a/c field.
I have heard many stories of the d.i.y and they had problems down the road. Do it right the first time.
I have heard many stories of the d.i.y and they had problems down the road. Do it right the first time.
