R-134 Retrofit

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:03 pm

Howdy gang,

Anybody out there done the R-12 to R-134 refrigerant conversion?

How did it turn out? Any "gotchas" to watch out for?

I bought a kit over the weekend. Need to have someone purge the R12 from my existing system, then I could put in the kit. But, want to see what you all think.

Thank you for your input!

Jerry

Carguylen · Post by **Carguylen** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:52 pm

Hi Jerry,
I found a guy in Sylmar that has something called Cool or Cold 12 that he says can be used in the old R 12 systems. He also says that he'll recharge the system and check for leaks for $70. I'm going to try it next week or so, and i'll let you know how it works. Or I can find his # for you if you want to call it.
I'll let you know next time we go to Bakersfield. My wife likes going to the old Woolworth's antique store, so we're there every few weeks.
Len

clbolt · Post by **clbolt** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:04 pm

Carguylen wrote: I found a guy in Sylmar that has something called Cool or Cold 12 that he says can be used in the ols R 12 systems.

Could it be Freeze 12? There are a number of replacement refrigerants on the market, but that's one of the most popular. Freeze 12 is actually 80% R134a, and 20% HCFC-142b.

The biggest issues with an R134a conversion are the lack of barrier hoses on the Tercel, improper o-ring composition, improper dessicant in the drier, and oil incompatibility. I've used the over-the-counter conversion kits, and had great success with them... but never for more than a year at a time. After a year they all developed leaks that required more than just topping the system off. If you want a conversion that will last, you need to drain the oil from the compressor, flush the entire system, replace all the o-rings, replace the drier, and install barrier hoses.

I'm planning on doing all that, plus a new compressor, sometime this summer.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:12 pm

I vented the R12 before I found the illegality of it, then put in an R12 compatible 134a oil and refrigerant with a can of leak-seal. Its worked great so far. Colder than the air in my freezer.. Its bloody damn cold.

I found the issue being that it was difficult to hook up, and that it was hard to view the guage, where it was and such. Plus, its hard to do when your engine is dying from the effort of running the a/C.