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  May 24, 2010 3:00 p.m. EricM Dork

  The RV has Dash AC, but it is super weak, as in Non working.

  Please teach me the ways of converting to R134a.

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  May 24, 2010 3:40 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

  You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..."

  On my old Audi GT, I replaced the piston compressor when it died with a rotary one and had new hoses made (existing ones wouldn't match up). New drier and fittings and it worked at least as good as it ever did if not better. If the compressor hadn't taken a crap I probably would have just done a fitting change and vacuum and swapped in the new refridgerant. The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.

  "Having fun is my revenge on mortality"--Dustin Hoffman

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  May 24, 2010 4:25 p.m. VanillaSky Reader

  ddavidv wrote: You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..." ...The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.

  QFT.

  I would make sure your compressor is compatible with R134a. That's the only thing I'd concern myself with that ddavidv didn't bring up. Some compressors just don't last with R134a, but there's always a way to either make the one you have work (usually just replacing seals) or another compressor that's already suited for the conversion.

  I have seen systems that had chronic failing seals and gaskets after the conversion, but it seems to be more of an issue in 20+ year old systems that hadn't been taken care of.

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  May 24, 2010 6:36 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

  there are many ways to doit.
  the common (read: cheap and not so good) is to just swap retrofit fittings onto the R12 fittings, charge it and go. Works fine for a year in most cases.
  next step up is to do the above plus replace all the o'rings in the system plus the receiver drier/ accumulator (should be replaced ANY time you open the system)
  next is to replace the compressor plus all the above or to replace the hoses plus all the above.

  In some vehicles replacing the condenser is needed as well.

  Now I'm working for myself

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  May 24, 2010 6:57 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader

  Ive used the "Spray and Pray" method countless times with excellent success rates. If you have a friend with an A/C machine, have them suck the system down, then charge it yourself with the cans from the parts store. It does seem to work better if you can get it sucked down, but we are rocking a lot of tractors that were just topped off up R134A. Once or twice a season @$7 a can is much cheaper than a proper service.

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  May 24, 2010 6:58 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader

  Also, stay away from Stop Leak.

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  May 24, 2010 8:52 p.m. Vigo Reader

  ve used the "Spray and Pray" method countless times with excellent success rates.

  this QFT..

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  May 24, 2010 9:30 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader

  I once had a beater miata that had a low R-12 charge. I topped it up with 134a (just changed the fitting & nothing else) and it worked fine for 3+ years after that (until we turned it into a SM). And by fine, I mean ice cold on hot humid michigan summers. I would have turned it into a SM sooner if the AC failed ;)

  Kendall

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  May 25, 2010 6:48 a.m. Clay Reader

  Is it Summer already. Seems this post comes up every year about this time!

  I've also just drained the R12 and replaced with R134A on two cars. Once with a vacuum, mostly without (vacuum lasted longer!). With no vacuum, it worked well for a year or so. Cost me $12 (2 cans of R134A) and 30 minutes of work once each year. Can't beat that. I would at least try that before going to all the trouble to do it the "right" way.

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  May 25, 2010 9:58 a.m. EricM Dork

  Spray and Pray it is then.

  http://crushedcones.blogspot.com

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  May 25, 2010 9:12 p.m. wcelliot Reader

  R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

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  May 25, 2010 11:12 p.m. EricM Dork

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  Ah, I thought they didn't sell it any more. Where does one find R12 nowadays?

  http://crushedcones.blogspot.com

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  May 25, 2010 11:31 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

  ddavidv wrote: You'll get 45 different opinions and a bunch of people saying "the only right way to do it is..." On my old Audi GT, I replaced the piston compressor when it died with a rotary one and had new hoses made (existing ones wouldn't match up). New drier and fittings and it worked at least as good as it ever did if not better. If the compressor hadn't taken a crap I probably would have just done a fitting change and vacuum and swapped in the new refridgerant. The keys really are vacuuming all the old out of the system and setting the pressure correctly with the 134a. It's much more finnicky than R12.

  QFT! I never vacuumed my older cars (VW 92 Golf, and two 92 Corrados) either, and on a really hot day with R134 it's no better than an old German woman blowing in your ear.

  I haven't replaced the condenser or evaperator on any of my cars, but a lot of other VW guys say I should, since R134a isn't as efficent as R12. They say you need bigger ones to make the new stuff "act like the old stuff" if you don't increase the overall pressure in the system (like ddavid did).

  Actually, after thinking about this all over again, I think I'll look into the compressor swap that ddavid did..in the short run, it sounds like even though compressors are expensive, it'll cost less for me to do that instead of source & fabricate stuff to update everything else in the system.

  How can it be a midlife crisis, when I've driven sportscars my entire life?

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  May 25, 2010 11:33 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  How can it be a midlife crisis, when I've driven sportscars my entire life?

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  May 26, 2010 6:19 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  Seriously. R12 is the E36 M3. R134 sucks bad.

  1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)

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  May 26, 2010 2:17 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these days

  Now I'm working for myself

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  May 26, 2010 2:20 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

  internetautomart wrote:

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these days

  Nah, no licence. And I wouldn't want you to lose yours by selling to me. Still, there's a lot of summer to go...

  How can it be a midlife crisis, when I've driven sportscars my entire life?

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  May 26, 2010 2:28 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

  How much is a 30 lb can these days? $600?

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  May 26, 2010 8:08 p.m. Marty! Dork

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R-12-R12-R-12-Refrigerant-4-Cans-Oil-Charge-/280511...

  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUPONT-R12-FREON-3-12-OZ-IMMACULATE-CANS-/200476425...

  Minivans - Pleasing Soccer Moms since 1984....

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  May 26, 2010 8:54 p.m. wcelliot Reader

  My local wrench doesn't seem to have any issues getting it... but others are right that without a license it's rough to get.

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  May 27, 2010 10:22 a.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

  internetautomart wrote:

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these days

  I bought 4 12oz cans for my friend at O'Reilly's Auto parts 2 weeks ago.

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  May 27, 2010 8:10 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

  m4ff3w wrote:

  internetautomart wrote:

  friedgreencorrado wrote:

  wcelliot wrote: R12 has come down in price to the point that I now wouldn't convert an R12 system that only needed a charge....

  You can still find R12? Tell me where, and I'll dance at your wedding & cry at your funeral! And maybe even buy you a drink or two beforehand...

  you got a license I can get it, but it only comes in 30lb cans these days

  I bought 4 12oz cans for my friend at O'Reilly's Auto parts 2 weeks ago.

  of R12? doubt it. Freeze 12 more likely. R12 is federally mandated to have a license and a book kept of whom it is sold to along with their license #.

  Now I'm working for myself

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  May 28, 2010 5:39 a.m. vladha New Reader

  Good morning and canoe to you.

  No Daddy... it tastes like butt!

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