Another A/C Revival Question.....
 

I have read a ton of threads through here and a lot of Jackhild59's threads as well. I just have a few questions that I want to get confirmation on though before going through with the refill. I do know that freeze 12 is a sub for R12 but I already have cans of R12 sitting around.

My first question is how is the best way to find what seems to be a very tiny leak in a line? I am keeping my system R12 so I can not just throw on a can of R134a with UV dye.

Next question I have is I know I need to use Ester oil but does it matter if it says its for R134a? I can find the oil but most say they are for a R134a system and nothing about an R12 system.

Thanks!

I believe ester oil will work, but of course jackchild will have to validate this.

Most ester oil will contain UV dye as well. Just FYI.

Just use R134a with UV dye to find the leak, after you're done with it just vent it out, flush the compressor with Ester oil, buy a new A/C dyer, and charge it with R12

That ester oil will be fine. Put 3 oz in the drier and 3 oz in the drained compressor. And you don't really have to stay with R12. Freeze12 will work very well and is much easier for most people to buy.

I use a machine that pressurizes the entire system up to very high pressure, up to 400psi, to locate a leak. At that pressure the leak becomes easily located. If necessary I use a spray bottle of soapy water and spray it on any suspect connection. If there is a leak the soapy water will make bubbles-lots of bubbles.

If the system has been running and leaking, you can find the leak by locating fresh oil around the leak. The UV dye is an enhancement of this method and also works well. Rent the light and leak detection goggles from Autozone. You will need to charge the system up to operational pressures to allow the leak to seep enough dye to locate the leak.

Most likely you are leaking at a recently opened joint. The orings at the drier are an odd size (drier with weld on bracket) . I have a master oring kit, but there is not a correct fit from that kit. I get my drier orings from a local A/C supplier. They come free with a drier or cost $3 if I have to buy them a-la-cart.

R12 or Freeze 12 cans with oil and UV dye already mixed in could work too if I understand correctly.

Yeah, but since I already have cans of R12 sitting around it just seems cheaper to use those but they do not have the oil or dye with them.

I can find the Ester Oil but the issue is they only say they are for R134a so I was just wanting to make sure that oil would still work without harming anything. From what a few said above it seems I should be ok with the R134a Ester Oil which does have the UV dye already with it so I will go that route.

Thanks for all your help

Just don't use the ester oil charge. It has 134a as the charge. Just a little 134a will really mess up your pressures with R12.

Use the 8 oz bottle of ester sold at ACkits.com or you can buy a 12 oz can with a screw on top from autozone/oriellies/pepboys etc.