AC recharge

bertrenolds5 · 06-13-2008

My ac works a little, the air is not very cold so I figure I need to recharge it. Do I really have to have someone clean all of the r12 out, or can I just get a can of 134a and an adapter and fill her up?
Anyone know where I could go to get a good price if I have to have it sucked out?

**Halon** · 06-13-2008

When I lived in AZ, I got my talon converted over to a refrigerant called Freeze 12. The only thing they had to change was the fitting on the AC line, and then they removed the old stuff and put in the new. And the Freeze 12 is supposed to be real cheap. I haven't seen it up here though, so not sure how I'm going to recharge it when that time comes.

EDIT:
http://www.freeze-12.com/
http://www.sherco-auto.com/fr4012.htm

There's a link to what I am converted to. Supposed to actually be colder then R-134a, and a fairly easy conversion for older R-12 systems like ours.

**Kracka** · 06-13-2008

R134A is really cheap and is available at all parts stores and even Walmarts along with the retrofit kits.

bertrenolds5 · 06-13-2008

do I have to suck the old r12 out, or can I just get r134a and mix it with the r12?

**Goat Blower** · 06-13-2008

I just mixed it right in, no problemo.

bertrenolds5 · 06-13-2008

Someone told me your lines will corrode if you mix 12r and 134a? I was reading 134a is apparently the only approved stuff to mix with 12r I think, is that true? Now I gotta find someone with a hose and guage and converter to 134a. Can anyone help me out?

**Kracka** · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertrenolds5

Sweet, No I gotta find someone with a hose and guage and converter. Can anyone help me out?

Walmart, Autozone, Checker, O'Reillys, etc. The conversion kits are cheap and are usually boxed with everything you need including the cans of cold stuff.

AwdGSX13 · 06-13-2008

You may want to look into the reason it needs to be charged, such as a leak. Just so your not disappointed after the fact.

**Kracka** · 06-13-2008

Did the A/C become less affective slowly over time or all of a sudden over night? If slowly over time, considering its a '91, I wouldn't worry too much about a leak and just refill it whenever it needs it since the stuff is so cheap. If it happened very quickly you probably have a junk seal and should get some of the leak tracer dye.

bertrenolds5 · 06-13-2008

The car sat a few years before I got it and when I got it the ac was weak but it did and still does work a little so I don't think there is a leak. I already have 2 cans of 134a, I just wanted to make sure I could mix it. I put it in the lower input on the compressor housing right? Some one has to have a hose and adapter that I could use so I don't have to buy one, come on guys.

**Kracka** · 06-14-2008

I don't think you can just put the 134A stuff into a Freon system w/o the conversion kit. I am not entirely sure of what the conversion kit entails though so look into it.

Kevin 1G Drummer · 06-14-2008

R134a and R12 are not compatable. It's been a couple years since we covered this in school so I don't remember exactly why, but I remember that they aren't compatable.

sleepydsm · 06-14-2008

You probably have a leak. And don't you need to put an accurate amount of freon into the system, not just hook up a few bottles and let 'er rip? I went to an A/C seminar, and said those little bottles are probably the worst thing ever.

Kevin 1G Drummer · 06-14-2008

^^ They told us the same thing in school about those bottles, and yes, you have to put in a specific ammount. Also, plan on putting in compressor oil that is compatible with the R134a, the R12 compressor oil is different.

blackrosenova400 · 06-15-2008

You should not mix R12 and R134A

R12 is also a lubricant.

When I work on R134a systems I have to add Pag oil to the systems because R134a has no lubrication properties.

At the very least, I would recover what you have in the system, put a vacuum on the system to remove all the moisture, then maybe you can try adding R134a and pag oil.

Ive never worked on my 1g eclipses a/c since I removed a while ago before I knew anything about A/C, but on any cars A/C systems, there is a high and low pressure switch, one for when the high side pressure is at a peak, the front radiator fan kicks on to cool the condensor, thus lowering the high side pressure, the low pressure switch is to kill power to the a/c compressor clutch in order to save the compressor from lack of lubrication.

I wanted to share that last paragraph with you because these switches are set up on your car for R12 and not R134a. High and Low side pressures will be differant. It may or may not work.

I actually work on medium/heavy duty truck A/C

bertrenolds5 · 06-16-2008

I know there are a few people who have converted their 1g to 134a but I guess it would be a good idea to vacuum the R12 out so they can recycle it and resell it and then mix oil with the 134a and I should be fine. I am going to talk to my mechanic friend about a hose with a guage. When they vacuum the system can they check pressure?

So anyone have any suggestions on where to get the r12 sucked out at?

**Halon** · 06-16-2008

Or just use Freeze 12.

1slowdsm · 06-24-2009

Alright. Instead of starting up another thread I'm just gonna steal this one since it's no longer in use

Since the weather is getting so hot outside and the leather seats and untinted windows just add more heat inside my car .... and my back!, I thought I'd get the AC in my car working again. It worked really well when I bought the car so Im thinking it's just low on R12 (I have a '93 Tsi).
My question - is the conversion kit a DIY kind of job? I've never messed with AC ever in my life, so I've no clue. I just read that the 'cold' line is under the intake manifold by the condensor (woohoo, fun fun!). Since it's just new adapter plugs going on, it doesnt sound very hard and confusing. Now, anyone know of a good place where I can get my R12 taken out and replaced with R134? Or just have the R12 taken out and I'll add the R134 myself cause it doesnt seem hard. Plus, I'd rather have a machine check for leaks at the same time it takes out the R12 before I go on a waste a couple cans of R134.
Im hoping to do this within the next week or so. Thanks guys!

**Kracka** · 06-24-2009

Most chain shops offer free or cheap A/C inspections. Check out Firestone, Tires Plus, etc. for current offers/deals/coupons.

1slowdsm · 06-24-2009

cool. Thanks man. I'll check out a few shops tomorrow on my free time.