Had my a/c converted to the new stuff
05-16-02, 08:10 PM
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Had my a/c converted to the new stuff
I wanted to give a report on my recent a/c conversion to r134 ('87 NA, 91k miles, original A/C components as far as I know).
Original system had a lot of bubbles in it and barely cooled, and a/c place told me last year that it would cost a bundle to completely drain the system and fill it up with the old Freon (now running around $70 a can, I think). After changeover, the a/c now blows very cold ... not super, icy cold like I recall the original being (I bought another NA brand new in 1986!), but certainly more than cold enough. I'm pleased.
A reputable mid-Atlantic auto repair chain, Merchants, did the conversion for about $280, which included a new drier. I had them do it because if I did it and screwed it up (and I often screw up things the first time), it would fry the compressor (possibilities include adding too much r134, or failing to get all the old noncompatible oil out of the system). And second, there's a six-month warranty. The same chain converted my Isuzu Trooper a couple of years ago and it's still fine.
I will buy the refill kit, so if it leaks, I can add more 134 myself.
One interesting thing ... they told me that they had a hard time finding the correct drier for the car -- that it wasn't being made any more. They tracked one down at another store in Raleigh. If that's true, anybody planning to convert might want to do it soon.
Original system had a lot of bubbles in it and barely cooled, and a/c place told me last year that it would cost a bundle to completely drain the system and fill it up with the old Freon (now running around $70 a can, I think). After changeover, the a/c now blows very cold ... not super, icy cold like I recall the original being (I bought another NA brand new in 1986!), but certainly more than cold enough. I'm pleased.
A reputable mid-Atlantic auto repair chain, Merchants, did the conversion for about $280, which included a new drier. I had them do it because if I did it and screwed it up (and I often screw up things the first time), it would fry the compressor (possibilities include adding too much r134, or failing to get all the old noncompatible oil out of the system). And second, there's a six-month warranty. The same chain converted my Isuzu Trooper a couple of years ago and it's still fine.
I will buy the refill kit, so if it leaks, I can add more 134 myself.
One interesting thing ... they told me that they had a hard time finding the correct drier for the car -- that it wasn't being made any more. They tracked one down at another store in Raleigh. If that's true, anybody planning to convert might want to do it soon.
