I am one of the old hangeroners who insists on not converting my 93, that came with R12. I bought some R 12 off of ebay a while back. I would recon about 3 years ago I added a can and the system worked every summer blowing out cold air. Now I need to recharge. I need to do this on the LOW pressure side. Right? On my 93 that's over by the right fender. It looks like a T. NOT the larger schrader on the front of the car, close to the can that the book calls the accumulator, Right? The reason I ask is that none of my charge hoses fit the low pressure schrador over by the passenger side fender. One hose did fit the larger one by the accumulator, and that went wrong.
Problem 2. Because the system has gotten low, the A/C clutch does not engage. I have read my FSM. I have searched threads here. I learned a few things, but nothing that addressees my problem. I did put the inside heat/cool control unit diagnostic mode. It shows no errors. I think it just needs gas.
Is there an adapter I need to get to fit my low pressure port? If so, what do I ask for? The hoses I have are one piece. No regulator or gauge.
Please don't preach to me about why I should convert to 134. Maybe one day, but today I want to get the old system working again. It was blowing cool a few months ago. It slowly leaks down over a 2-3 year period.. I can work with that if I can figure out how to recharge. I did it 3 years ago. Maybe I simply misplaced the hose I used then, and need to get another. What is a good replacement and

source?

 

That's what I use on my 85. It fit so I don't know why yours isn't. Maybe take a pic of the fitting? Also, I just jumped the low pressure switch with a wire to get the compressor to start cycling in the refrigerant. Worked perfectly.

 

No adapters needed. If that hose won't fit, you don't need to be on it. The connection on the accumulator is the low side connection you need to hook to. I HIGHLY recommend you check the actual system pressure before you blow in a $50 can of gas if you have a different problem. If you have to add, the system leaks and it will only get more expensive as the time passes.

 

The low pressure schrader valve is near the top of the accumulator and is the larger schrader valve. If your can of R-12 is full it should have enough pressure that when you connect it with the can pointing up, so you only put gas into the system, it should fill up your system enough the compressor will kick on. If you connect to the high pressure side by mistake it will blowup the can of R-12 due to the high pressure. It's best to have a gauge when adding R-12 and the low side should be around 30 PSI. Some of the lines you buy to connect the can to the schrader come with a gauge built into them. There is a small amount of oil circulating throughout the system, so any leak should have a small amount of oil. Look at all of your fittings as they have o-rings and they can go bad. Also, look at the front of the compressor as there is a seal in there to keep the Freon from leaking out. Of course, it could be leaking inside where the evaporator is.

 

Great info from everyone. What do I jumper?

 

Before we go into this, maybe we need to find out where it leaks first? I'm no environmentalist by a long shot and then some but R12 is not that easy to come by so before I go there and top up every couple years, and the gap will decrease, why not find out where it is leaking, evacuate the system, fix it, test and recharge instead of the "band aid" approach of topping it up?

 

When he runs out of R-12 and has to buy more, he'll be looking for the leak! That stuff is expensive nowadays!

 

Or he could do it now and not burn through the supply. Just saying. It isn't just expensive, it is hard to find. Who knows what it will be like when he runs out?

 

Its been 3 years since i had to put any in. That's a slow leak. My 134 cars have to be charged every 2-3 years. I think that's normal. I've got some sealant in a can. Maybe I'll try that if the leak gets worse. I don't see the need right now.I don't know how to change seals. I don't have the gear to pump down the system. No one wants to do anything with older R12 systems except convert them.
Something did go wrong with my last attempt to charge. Maybe I didn't have the connection on solid. Maybe I didn't shake the can enough. Mysteriously the compressor no longer engages. Is it low on gas, or is there some other problem? I would like to see pressure on a gauge, that's why I was asking about the manifold system. I'm thinking I need that and some adapters.Can anyone recommend a good manifold charge rig for R12 automotive A/C?

 

I think we should figure out FIRST where it is leaking from. I had R12 cars before and 3 year fills weren't normal, at least for me, it wasn't.

 

I had a slow leaking some years back. Turned out to be one of the Schrader valves. I ended up buying the little tool that allows you to swap the valve core without discharging the system

 

I'm following along and thanks for the lesson this is on the level I can understand. So would it be fairly obvious we look for signs of seeping oil or a greasy stain like every other seal? is there no like sniffer tool or way to actually detect like a bubble solution would that be too slow to reveal itself? I have the same model. How does one actually Know it is a compressor seal and can those be rebuilt? with quality parts? TIA. If anyone has done a 134R conversion are all the o-rings easily accessible? And pump down assuming a harbor freight setup, you have a pump full of R12, and its gonna have to burb at some point. OK my thoughts, the guidance here is appreciated.

 

The high and low fittings are different sizes so you can't hook it up wrong. The high pressure fitting is smaller, so if it's loose, find another fitting. Another way to force the gas from the can is to wrap a towel that has hot water in it around the can,

 

it's $18 a can and to my surprise can be bought by anyone on Ebay . The fitting on the side of the accumulator is he low side fill point.I just charged mine the other day and I love the cold the old R12 produces.

 

I don't know about you but I can't afford to buy a "one off" tool and store it for all eternity. I would rather go see a tech who does own one.

 

Might have to look into that and maybe do a conversion back to R12 if it is cheap enough.

 

The only problem with that is there are many impostors selling "R!2" and you have no idea what you're putting in your system.

 

I saw those. It takes another tool to screw onto the can. Instead of a clamp with a pin that punctures, it has a piece on the top of the can to screw onto. You'll see this if you look carefully at the picture. Another tool to buy. Then the worry about the other end. Will it fit my schrader low pressure port?
Anyone use these? What was your experience?

 

That's what r12 cans look like. They changed it with r134a to prevent misuse.

 

FYI It's not R12. It's R12A which only God knows what's in it.