AirCon regas

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Robinson
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My tercel:: 2x red manual 1986 4wd, 1 standard, air con, 1 lift kit, 14inch rims, 4AGE engine. 1 +1987 4wd blue for spares

AirCon regas

Post by Robinson »

Hi im looking to top up my aircon as not cool now. Seems to have gas as had pressure when pushing on values and could see bubbles through site window of evaporator while running and with compressor jumped started. I want to check which value is low pressure one for filling and check pressure. Only see one on compressor that is on low side coming back from inside car. Only see two more that i think are on high side going from compressor to condenser radiator and one before evaporator on way into car as shown. Im also wanting to try lpg as top up as read more reports its fine with r12 and cheap as well as not illegal like all other stuff here in oz. Ta
Robinson
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My tercel:: 2x red manual 1986 4wd, 1 standard, air con, 1 lift kit, 14inch rims, 4AGE engine. 1 +1987 4wd blue for spares

Re: AirCon regas

Post by Robinson »

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Ace
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My tercel:: '83 DLX 4WD Tercel wagon 3AC

Re: AirCon regas

Post by Ace »

Robinson wrote:... Im also wanting to try lpg as top up as read more reports its fine with r12 and cheap as well as not illegal like all other stuff here in oz. Ta
I've used propane to top off an older refrigerator (circa 1991) that originally used R12, on the suggestion of a retired scientist-friend who had done the same on a much older refrigerator. It does work; of course propane is flammable so you take a risk with that in case of a leak.

Here in Oregon I live without AC in my vehicles, but I can imagine that you might want it in Oz. I happened to be visiting in Melbourne four years ago when they had record-breaking temps of 115F.
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Petros
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by Petros »

I think the FSM has a good description of the A/C system components and servicing it. You may have a different a/c down under than in North America, but i doubt it.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
Robinson
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My tercel:: 2x red manual 1986 4wd, 1 standard, air con, 1 lift kit, 14inch rims, 4AGE engine. 1 +1987 4wd blue for spares

Re: AirCon regas

Post by Robinson »

yes thanks guys. Just re checked manual and looks like you use the high and low pressure values on compressor. Didnt mention what the top valve before the receiver is for, mabey safety feature idont know. Will ring some air con guys to see what they quote but not keen to pay to convert to r134a.
TURTCEL
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My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by TURTCEL »

I was just quoted the othe day from a shop to convert my Escort over to R134a since my sytstem needs a recharge before the summer and they said $150 for the whole deal. They said that is pretty much the standard pricing for smaller older car conversions and charging. As long as nothing needs to be repaired.

They explained that the kits that you can buy at a parts house are okay but that the sytem needs to be evacuated properly and that the one major problem that a home mechanic runs into on doing this themselves is not fulling draing all of the compressor oil and oil in the lines. The two oils are different to the point where it can become an issue if they mix causing damage. Also, R134a needs to be charged almost every year unlike the old R12 systems. Not sure exactly why though, just something I have heard more than once.

$150 bucks and no time of mine invested seems like a pretty good deal to me, considering a home mechanic usually doesn't have the proper machines to do the system cycling and leak tests.

Just thought I would throw my experience in on that one. Fortunately my Terc did not come with under the hood A/C but it did come with factory crank operated air conditioning units located in each of the passenger and driver's doors. The further I crank the handle one way, the cooler the A/C and the more I crank the other way the less A/C. ***Sorry, for that...just kinda sounded funny.***

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
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marlinh
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by marlinh »

R134A is a smaller molecule than R12. So, after a conversion to R134A those molecules may leak out of a system that held R12 adequately. That is probably why they say it needs to be topped up every year.
TURTCEL
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by TURTCEL »

That makes sense. Just like using synthetic oil on an older high mileage car can cause oil burning or leaking do to the smaller molecules too.

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
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Petros
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by Petros »

A conversion consists of replacing the o-rings in the lines and connectors and replace the valves to a different type (to identify that is now uses the newer coolant). It is not too costly but some A/C shops make it sound like a big deal to do a "conversion" to get more money out of you. Of course the system should be checked for leaks before you refill it anyway or you will lose all that new and expensive refrigerant. Replacing seals or rebuilding the compressor could get into big bucks too.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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splatterdog
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Re: AirCon regas

Post by splatterdog »

It's always best to keep an R12 system R12. It can be found on ebay and craiglist for a reasonable amount. It's not as valuable as it use to be. Demand is down as R12 cars keep going away. Stay away from hydrocarbons.

I find most retro'd cars with locked up compressors.

Opps, didn't notice you were down under. Can't get it there at all? It can't be produced here, but old stock is OK to use. When it's gone,likely after we are, then it's SOL.
Robinson
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My tercel:: 2x red manual 1986 4wd, 1 standard, air con, 1 lift kit, 14inch rims, 4AGE engine. 1 +1987 4wd blue for spares

Re: AirCon regas

Post by Robinson »

yes i also read about having to change oil in conversions to r13a but most places dont bother and heard people having no problems even when not changing oil. So bit confusing to do or leave.
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