I know very, very little about AC systems. Hopefully some of you with AC experience can chime in.

My AC was working fine until I broke one of the lines. My plan is to replace this line, and I believe I will need a dryer as I have heard once exposed to the air they are no good.

It's an older system, with R12. What do I need to replace to run R134? O-rings... but are there any O-rings under the dash? Maybe just at the line ends? Does one have to pull the whole dash apart to get to the AC components in the cab?

My thought is to replace the line, new R134 compatible O-rings, new dryer... then fill up the system with R134 from Autozone... but I am sure it's not that easy.

Any tips, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

as far as I know, you shouldn't HAVE to replace the o-rings. just replace the drier. you do however, have to pull a good long vacuum on the system to pull all the moisture out and check for leaks.

 

Vacuum... I was wondering about that.

Any guesses as to wether a tool like this would work, or would I need more vacuum.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=39522

Might have to take it to an AC shop for evacuation/ refill... .but I am trying to avoid that if possible.

 

NO, we are talking alot more vac than that! Around 30inhg. Unfortunatly, the best idea is to take it in. Do not do the backyard autozone special! If only you were here in CO!

 

Kinda figured more vac than that... but it was worth a shot.

Is there anything behind the dash that needs to be changed out to work with R134?

I am still not sure about the R12 O-rings working with R134... or even the compressor. Something in my memory about R12 having a certain amount or type of oil in it that R134 won't have.

 

I wouldn't worry about the O-rings or the compressor. Check this out: http://autoacrepairs.com/134aConversion.htm

 

This is like really slow chat! LOL!

 

Very slow chat....

Thanks for the link. The process seems pretty straightforward, but the tools seem pretty specialized. Maybe I'll have to call arond some local shop for some price quotes.

I hate having to go to a shop, always seems like I have the worst luck.

 

Change the oil. R12 oil and 134a don't mix.

 

Any word?

 

Oh... this isn't an immediate project... just trying to do some research. I'll post back should I move forward and as to how my AC is working and why.

Any comments or additional suggestions are still welcome, especially ways I can do this myself... if at all possible.

For now, I am busily trying to fabricate a new traction bar and relocate my rear shocks.

Always something to do. Nice thing about Toyota is that you generally brake out the wrenches, welder and grinder because you want too... not because you have too.