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a/c conversion

Old 05-15-2008, 09:45 PM
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a/c conversion

ok here's the deal. I want to convert my a/c to 134a. The system still turns on, dosen't constantly cycle, cools air very slightly (1-2 degrees), has not been previously converted.

What I do know to do:
*vac system properly
*Change shrader valves
*recharge system with aprox 75-90% capacity

Questions:
*How do I remove remaining mineral oil?
*anything else to look for?

Oh BTW I did do a search but was not able to all of my answers.

AND I do not have the funding to replace all components and essentially redo the entire a/c system.
Old 05-16-2008, 09:09 AM
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theres actually a couple ways you can do it, it just really comes down to what extent you are willing to take to do it. so, for me to tell you what you should do, is really depending on how bad you want this to work. the minimum i think you could get away with is, recovering the r-12, taking the compressor off and draining out the oil, replace oil with reccomended amount, R&R the filter/drier, add the recomended amount of oil, vacuum system, and charge. it sounds like you do actually know the proper way to do this, and it is quite involved and can be kind of expensive.
Old 05-16-2008, 09:38 AM
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I converted my '87, and I still have some of the materials and equipment. I live in North Orange County(close to Anaheim Stadium). Just let me know if you need help.
Old 05-16-2008, 09:49 AM
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Mine was converted too but in my case I was switching to a newer compressor that used R134 from the factory anyway (not saying you have to do that). First I had all the old R-12 recovered under vacuum. Then I switched the compressors. Then I replaced the reciever/drier right before I went in for the service.

Here's what I wrote in my swap thread that they did:

They blew out the condensor but there wasn't much (or any) old R-12 oil in it, and they refilled the system with 4 oz of PAG oil and a 1/4 oz of dye. They said the PAG oil would be better for the compressor than Ester oil and would work fine, and any residual R12 oil will just settle in the low spots of the system. So $210 later it's now a working R134 AC system. Not too bad I guess considering they had to track down the compressor power problem, they also replaced the R12 fittings with 134 adapters and adjusted the AC amp so it would come on at the lowest idle possible.
Over a year later now and its working great. Good luck

Last edited by mt_goat; 05-16-2008 at 09:51 AM.
Old 05-16-2008, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by mt_goat
Mine was converted too but in my case I was switching to a newer compressor that used R134 from the factory anyway (not saying you have to do that). First I had all the old R-12 recovered under vacuum. Then I switched the compressors. Then I replaced the reciever/drier right before I went in for the service.
Over a year later now and its working great. Good luck
That's the best bang-for-buck approach.

Here at the shop when we convert;

-Evacuate R12
-Add small amount of PAG & R134a, plus AC cleaner
-Run system for ~ 10 mins
-Evacuate refrigerant & cleaner
-Replace receiver/dryer
-Vacuum for 20 mins
-Add ~1-1½oz oil
-Charge to capacity.

Compressors are changed on customer request or based on visual inspection (oil leaks, noisey clutch). The small amount of oil in the compressor never seems to be a problem. We can also add a stop-leak agent that will respond to any pinhole leaks that develop down the line and stop a system failure.
Old 05-16-2008, 11:36 AM
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I have an r134a compressor that I'll sell for $50 if you want it.
Old 05-16-2008, 05:45 PM
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hey thanks, that answered all of my questions. oh and jetfixr, i live in san diego, so anaheim is a little out of my way, but thanks for the offer.
Old 05-17-2008, 06:37 PM
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Hey i have a question for you guys. Mine doesn't work since the small fire i had, and i want to fix the ac, on the front radiator support area, somebody wrote 7.5 oz of pagoil or something like that, does that sound like it has been converted then?

What would be the best way to fix the ac system? New seals, then refridgerant?
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