CarbonR1

iTrader: (2)

Anyone know of a good AC shop I can get a R12 refill or R134a change in Torrance/Carson and surrounding area?

GUITARJUNKIE28

any shop that does a/c

CarbonR1

iTrader: (2)

I am not originally from here, that's why I asked for a specific one.

puhpaper

iTrader: (6)

check the yellow pages, anyone that still HAS r12 will do it, but they might be a bit pricey seeing as how there is now a limited quantity. R134 is pretty much any shop. Just google up a/c shop in torrance, CA in google, or maps.google.com. Good luck.

GUITARJUNKIE28

i'm not from there either, but i know how to operate a phone book.

CarbonR1

iTrader: (2)

I know how to operate a phone book as well. I was asking if somebody had a good experience with one, I don't think that's a too difficult of a request. If you don't have anything to say about it besides the obvious, then don't post.

jhammons01

Carbon,

The West section is full of wise guys. just take it with a grain of salt....chuckle....and send a wise crack back at the wise guy.

I think what GJ is trying to say is....it is too rudimentary of a procedure to worry that much about. But let me warn you, EVERY shop is going to tell you, you need a new Blah Blah and it's going to cost $1000 (picture Doctor Evil saying it)

For $40 bux you can buy an R134a retrofit kit and perform the Fill yourself in about 1 hour. I can do it in 20 minutes but you'll need to read the instructions and translate them into english or any actual existing language.

You problem is that you'll have a leak somewhere allowing the gas to drop to a level where the compressor won't kick on. This leak ALWAYS seems to equate to a $1000 (Dr. Evil) fix at Shop "X". I figured it up one time and IF you have to refill your leaky system with R134a every 6 months due to the leak, It will be 83 years before you spend $1000 at $6 per can.

How hard is it to refill? I carry the blue hose that comes with the retrofit kit, in my car with me at all times. When the system stops blowing cold, i whip into a Kragen/Walmart and buy a can and it takes about 3-5 minutes to allow it be pulled into the resevoir by the compressor. Revving the engine speeds up the process a bit.

Are you going to fix the system yourself?? If not, get ready for Dr. Evil telling you need to spend $1000 for a rebuilt compressor.

jhammons01

And if you need help with the process, just tell me where you live, buy the kit and I'll drop by and assist you with the refill...........

GUITARJUNKIE28

the old man once said: a smart man learns from his mistakes, a WISE man learns from other's mistakes.

he also said if they **** you once, shame on them. if you let them **** you twice, shame on you.

a very wise man, me'ol pappy is

DomFD3S

Well...seeing as my a/c is dying...

I have the old R12.

Given that, I "heard" you need to retrofit to the new "R134".
I was also told, it cwill ost me about $100 or so to refill my current R12.
(Is this about right? Just thought I would ask, as I have no idea what it may cost.)

And before some a/c shop starts to bull$hit me. Do I have to convert to R134? I was told
the new R134 is not fully compatible w/ the older R12. It eats the seals in the condenser...and that is why you need to switch out R12 entirely. (This may be what adds to existing rumors).

Is this the product that you mentioned about? The one I see at Pep Boys, usually is a canister w/ a bright blue hose on it).
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...e=1418&ptset=A

GUITARJUNKIE28

any of you guys try this stuff ever?
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/

jhammons01

That kit is too high in price. Kragen had another kit that had three cans and a hose with a gauge on it plus all the little fittings for $40. I bought one just two months ago. It came in a box and the cans were double the size of that one.

O-rings being rotted out. The R12 has a Flourine molecule that does not break down and once free(in an environment that contains other molecules) is is very corrosive. The Key here is purging your system of the Flourine molecule....which is what attacks the ozone...and is why they want to capture it so badly. The problem here is that your system is probably allready purging itself with a small leak. The flourine is gone...or almost all gone. If you fill and purge your system then Flourine will be gone as well. Those of us with a leaky system are on a continous auto purge.......

last time I checked R12 was selling for about $100 bux per pound....or large can. If they refill with R12 and you have a leak the $100 is lost for good......and your system doesn't work again. Your system will take at least one can of R12 maybe two. I'd hate to buy two cans of R12 and it be gone in a week.

The R134a is at the most $15 per can, and fluxuates down to $3 per can at times. AND it does not contain the Flourine. And yes It cools just as well as the R12. My system when fully charged blows as cold as.........Well see for yourself....a picture is worth a 1000 words

Here you see the Temp is 30° F. With the fan on high and the outside temp being close to 100° F, the inside of my Vert was frigid to say the least.

Cracked me up, driving through the SF Valley and soem poor guy hanging out the truck window........in the scorching heat.......I'm inside my car getting chilled from that system. All the while watching chunks of frost or "snow" blowing out of the center vents.

CarbonR1

iTrader: (2)

So what you're saying is all that I need is to go to Kragen, pick up a R134a kit for 40$ and I'm good to go?

In that case, I'll pick one up today.

jhammons01

Yes........................

Just read the instructions and off you go. It really is simple. I hate the "black box" mistyque that surrounds A/Cs. basically you are compressing then releasing a gas over and over again......since the tech has been around for over 100 years....how hard could it be. But the A/C industry keeps it all under raps

puhpaper

iTrader: (6)

So in order to completely switch over to R134, you need to get rid of all the R12 - you purchase a R134 kit, read the instructions, follow them, and good to go?

jhammons01

^^yes.

If your system barely works, then you'll need to purge the R12.

You didn't hear it here but if you put R134a in.......let it run for a day or two. then allow it to escape and refill again. you have effectively purged your system.

If you get really far into it.....some say the oil is contaminated...which it is, but a purge or two will be enough. you'll sell or wreck your 7 before anything really bad happens. And think, if your system is weak due to the R12 leaking.....don't you already have crappy o-rings/seals???? Yes......yes you do.

So ride in the heat or spend $40 bux and be "chilled" on a hot nasty humid day.

You guys just ask, I'll help. I'm in the LA and surrounding areas almost daily