Charging A/C
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Charging A/C
So my car is back together, and I'm driving it!!! I'm so happy, and it's running great. I'll post another thread this weekend with some pics and some props to all the people that helped me.
My question is. . . what do I do to recharge the A/C? All the parts are back in, and I put in a new dryer along the way. Anywhere special I should go to charge it with the "old" stuff, or can I convert it easily. Is it worth converting, or should I leave it??? Any input is appreciated.
My question is. . . what do I do to recharge the A/C? All the parts are back in, and I put in a new dryer along the way. Anywhere special I should go to charge it with the "old" stuff, or can I convert it easily. Is it worth converting, or should I leave it??? Any input is appreciated.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll call around today.
Trending Topics
#8
Torqueless Wonder
iTrader: (1)
but it feels oh so good!!!! idling in traffic is no problem for me in texas heat. temps at the vent are 35* on low.
also, if you want to save money by going r134a, i suggest getting tint(if you dont have it done already) or getting it darker/ slight mirrored/ charcoal or gunmetal(best of both worlds)
it helps a lot for those who have r134a
134 is not all that good because its not as cool idling in traffic and low speed conditions and you'll only see a real benefit with highway
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the whole system apart, and have a new condenser and dryer (as mentioned above). . .I don't think there can be any old stuff left that will need to be vacuumed out. I replaced the o-rings on all the components when I put it all back together. . .but I haven't called around yet to get any prices.
#10
Feed me fake Feed
iTrader: (6)
I just had my AC recharged, I am still on the stock R12. I don't know if it's considered $$$$ like some of you think...the freon is $74lb and you'll need 2 lbs to fill the system. Plus labor, you are looking at around $180-$200...hardly $$$$, compare to everything else for the car. I had it done at a local Mobil gas station, paid $154.
#12
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
The question is.. Why did you have it recharged? If you had to charge - system have a leak. Next year you may have to spend another $154 for freon.
With proper retrofit (flush and R134 compatible oil) performance difference will be minimal. If you just snap on R134 retrofit service ports, evacuate and charge with R134 - it won't work well. This is what most people call "retrofit"
At least I like to beleive that as this is what AC service professionals told me.
If R134 performance will not be satisfactory - I will go back to R12. But I'm willing to try
I paid $200 for all tools and supplies.
With proper retrofit (flush and R134 compatible oil) performance difference will be minimal. If you just snap on R134 retrofit service ports, evacuate and charge with R134 - it won't work well. This is what most people call "retrofit"
At least I like to beleive that as this is what AC service professionals told me.
If R134 performance will not be satisfactory - I will go back to R12. But I'm willing to try
I paid $200 for all tools and supplies.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The question is.. Why did you have it recharged? If you had to charge - system have a leak. Next year you may have to spend another $154 for freon.
With proper retrofit (flush and R134 compatible oil) performance difference will be minimal. If you just snap on R134 retrofit service ports, evacuate and charge with R134 - it won't work well. This is what most people call "retrofit"
At least I like to beleive that as this is what AC service professionals told me.
If R134 performance will not be satisfactory - I will go back to R12. But I'm willing to try
I paid $200 for all tools and supplies.
With proper retrofit (flush and R134 compatible oil) performance difference will be minimal. If you just snap on R134 retrofit service ports, evacuate and charge with R134 - it won't work well. This is what most people call "retrofit"
At least I like to beleive that as this is what AC service professionals told me.
If R134 performance will not be satisfactory - I will go back to R12. But I'm willing to try
I paid $200 for all tools and supplies.
As far as I know, I don't have any leaks. . .I took all the components off when I was working on it. The AC ran cold for the first year I had the car. . .until I accumulated a garage full of parts waiting to be put on the car.
$154 would be awesome!!
#14
Form follows function
iTrader: (8)
Don't retrofit an R12 system with R134. It is a major headache for a lot of reasons and its performance will be unsatisfactory. (I have written extensively about refrigerants in prior threads, so I'm not going to repeat it here.)
That being said, I recommend using a hydrocarbon refrigerant such as HC-12, ES-12a, etc.. These work great as a drop-in refrigerant (no changes to system are required) for R12 or R134 systems. I have retrofitted several cars with HC's and the performance is about the same as R12. It will improve the performance of any R134 system as well. It is easy, doesn't tend to leak and relatively cheap. Here is a link to one supplier (there are several, but I have had good luck with this one): http://www.es-refrigerants.com/
Here is another site with good info on HC refrigerants: http://www.hychill.com.au/
If you don't want an HC, and prefer to stay with a halogenated flourocarbon (freon), there are several HFC/HCFC blends that can do a good job for you. Some require more retrofitting work than others, but Freeze 12 is one that comes to mind that has proven to work pretty good.
Hope this helps.
That being said, I recommend using a hydrocarbon refrigerant such as HC-12, ES-12a, etc.. These work great as a drop-in refrigerant (no changes to system are required) for R12 or R134 systems. I have retrofitted several cars with HC's and the performance is about the same as R12. It will improve the performance of any R134 system as well. It is easy, doesn't tend to leak and relatively cheap. Here is a link to one supplier (there are several, but I have had good luck with this one): http://www.es-refrigerants.com/
Here is another site with good info on HC refrigerants: http://www.hychill.com.au/
If you don't want an HC, and prefer to stay with a halogenated flourocarbon (freon), there are several HFC/HCFC blends that can do a good job for you. Some require more retrofitting work than others, but Freeze 12 is one that comes to mind that has proven to work pretty good.
Hope this helps.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sebring, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't retrofit an R12 system with R134. It is a major headache for a lot of reasons and its performance will be unsatisfactory. (I have written extensively about refrigerants in prior threads, so I'm not going to repeat it here.)
That being said, I recommend using a hydrocarbon refrigerant such as HC-12, ES-12a, etc.. These work great as a drop-in refrigerant (no changes to system are required) for R12 or R134 systems. I have retrofitted several cars with HC's and the performance is about the same as R12. It will improve the performance of any R134 system as well. It is easy, doesn't tend to leak and relatively cheap. Here is a link to one supplier (there are several, but I have had good luck with this one): http://www.es-refrigerants.com/
Here is another site with good info on HC refrigerants: http://www.hychill.com.au/
If you don't want an HC, and prefer to stay with a halogenated flourocarbon (freon), there are several HFC/HCFC blends that can do a good job for you. Some require more retrofitting work than others, but Freeze 12 is one that comes to mind that has proven to work pretty good.
Hope this helps.
That being said, I recommend using a hydrocarbon refrigerant such as HC-12, ES-12a, etc.. These work great as a drop-in refrigerant (no changes to system are required) for R12 or R134 systems. I have retrofitted several cars with HC's and the performance is about the same as R12. It will improve the performance of any R134 system as well. It is easy, doesn't tend to leak and relatively cheap. Here is a link to one supplier (there are several, but I have had good luck with this one): http://www.es-refrigerants.com/
Here is another site with good info on HC refrigerants: http://www.hychill.com.au/
If you don't want an HC, and prefer to stay with a halogenated flourocarbon (freon), there are several HFC/HCFC blends that can do a good job for you. Some require more retrofitting work than others, but Freeze 12 is one that comes to mind that has proven to work pretty good.
Hope this helps.
I'm not so cheap I won't go get the R12 from a shop, but I like to learn to do as much as I can myself. . . if possible.
#17
Just to throw something into the mix...
Mine is currently an R12 system and will need to be recharged soon. Added is that I will be upgrading to an Intercooler system that is designed around and has replacement lines for a RA134 system.
With that being said, would there be any other options for me outside of doing the conversion which is said to offer less AC cooling performance?
Mine is currently an R12 system and will need to be recharged soon. Added is that I will be upgrading to an Intercooler system that is designed around and has replacement lines for a RA134 system.
With that being said, would there be any other options for me outside of doing the conversion which is said to offer less AC cooling performance?
#18
Form follows function
iTrader: (8)
Just to throw something into the mix...
Mine is currently an R12 system and will need to be recharged soon. Added is that I will be upgrading to an Intercooler system that is designed around and has replacement lines for a RA134 system.
With that being said, would there be any other options for me outside of doing the conversion which is said to offer less AC cooling performance?
Mine is currently an R12 system and will need to be recharged soon. Added is that I will be upgrading to an Intercooler system that is designed around and has replacement lines for a RA134 system.
With that being said, would there be any other options for me outside of doing the conversion which is said to offer less AC cooling performance?
You should have no problem using R12 or an HC in your modified system. Just be sure the lines and components are dry and be sure there is no PAG oil in any of the new parts. If so, they will need to be flushed. You cannot mix PAO/PAG oils used in R134 systems with the mineral oil found in R12 systems; unless you want a clusterf***. If you use an HC (or R12), you can continue to use mineral oil in your system (which is preferred).
Originally Posted by rx slim
Damn SOL. . .I checked out those sights and that's pretty interesting stuff. So I can buy a kit to do it myself for $40 bucks. Have you used this stuff. . .is it good. Is there anything I should know before trying to do this myself??
#19
You should have no problem using R12 or an HC in your modified system. Just be sure the lines and components are dry and be sure there is no PAG oil in any of the new parts. If so, they will need to be flushed. You cannot mix PAO/PAG oils used in R134 systems with the mineral oil found in R12 systems; unless you want a clusterf***. If you use an HC (or R12), you can continue to use mineral oil in your system (which is preferred).
I would have no reservation going with your suggestion, I just need to find out if I can make the vmount IC kit that Im getting somehow work with the R12 lines. I know that the kit comes with new "rerouted" lines, but its specified for RA134 AC equipped cars....
#20
Form follows function
iTrader: (8)
Thanks for the info!
I would have no reservation going with your suggestion, I just need to find out if I can make the vmount IC kit that Im getting somehow work with the R12 lines. I know that the kit comes with new "rerouted" lines, but its specified for RA134 AC equipped cars....
I would have no reservation going with your suggestion, I just need to find out if I can make the vmount IC kit that Im getting somehow work with the R12 lines. I know that the kit comes with new "rerouted" lines, but its specified for RA134 AC equipped cars....
#21
The last time I did an FD HKS FMIC installtion (6 years ago) the lines that came with it were for the RA134 and the joint fittings where different sizes, so custom lines had to be made....hope I dont have to do that again. Thanks again, I might hit pick your brain again right before I do the install.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FC3S Timmy
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
16
10-03-15 01:08 AM