how involved? how much? A/C was working when I bought it in '01 but over the years lost it's cool. Eventually, 2 years ago, I just cut the belt and haven't used it since. I wouldn't mind to have AC again, but I really only need it a few days out of the year, so I won't be willing to spend a lot on this 215k mile ride.

 

Where do you live? Might just need a recharge and not a change over to R134. One bad o-ring will cause it to loose it's cool. Have the system checked out after a new belt, and then decide what to do.

 

live in Wisconsin - doubt you can just recharge the old system

 

I paid a local shop to convert mine a couple of years ago because I didn't have the equipment to capture the old refrigerant. I think it cost around $150 overall.

 

Actually you can just not yourself. You need equipment to capture whatever is left and you have to find the reason that it was low and then fix it. If you do, then it can be recharged. R12 systems are colder that R134 Especially when the system is designed to be a R12 system.

 

geuss I need to find a shop that does this around here. This isn't exactly Arizona, though, so finding a specialist that does have what it takes will take some phone tag.

but thanks for the info - I had no idea that recharging was still an option. The leak was tiny, it literally took years to lose the charge, so I hope it's not a major component that needs to be fixed.

 

Most things aren't major. The problem is if it's the evaporator. (Inside the dash next to the heater core)