Changing from R12 to R134

[CNTLOSE]

The new coupe I bought is equiped with AC, but as most 20 year old Mustangs it does not blow cold. Was wanting to know if anyone has upgraded their system and if so how/by who. (Price?) I had looked at the retro kits they sell at Auto Zone and NAPA, but I heard they were junk.

Thanks

[aperacer]

i have used the NAPA kits serveral times. they worked fine for me..i work for a local new car dealer and thats where we get our kits.

[Brandon Alsept]

I did a kit on a old celica today. Just have to get a retro kit and charge the system and then you are set. It will not be as cold as the R12 but will be close. Unless you change a lot of parts over. Feel free to call and talk to Brian @ finish line performance # is 513.831.9999. Tell him brandon told you to call.

[CNTLOSE]

Thanks for the info guys. I might have to pic up one of those kits before going to Indy Friday.

[RIXXX93GT]

Worked fairly well on mine also. Usually not as cold as stated before but worth it. Its probably a good idea to do the switch kit after you have someone pull a vacuum on your system and add new oil and r134.

[k062693w]

If the system still has some pressure in it (enough to turn the compressor on)... Let the system run for a few minutes to get warm,Shut it off, and then unscrew the cap and remove the valve stem thing quickly and let it evac itself... As soon as it's done, put it back together and refill with the new. It will last longer and get colder...

Just my $.02

[01BADGT]

I just completely put ac on my fox and took everything apart and got all of the old oil out because r134a is not compatible with old oil used with r12. Drain the compressor is the main thing and refill it with about 4 to 5 oz. of r134a mineral oil. Our system was set up for r12 and can only handel about 3/4 the amount of r134a because of its chemical values.

[01BADGT]

Make sure you replace all of the seals with new ones because the r134a with not work with the old seals from the r12 system. This will make your system run without any problems in the future. If ya need help or have any questions just shoot me a pm.

[CNTLOSE]

Thanks guys...a lot more involved than I thought.


I just completely put ac on my fox and took everything apart and got all of the old oil out because r134a is not compatible with old oil used with r12. Drain the compressor is the main thing and refill it with about 4 to 5 oz. of r134a mineral oil. Our system was set up for r12 and can only handel about 3/4 the amount of r134a because of its chemical values.

How do you drain the oil out and install the new? What kit or system did you use?

Thanks

[01BADGT]

No kit. All the old stuff. Got new o rings at oreileys and completely took compressor off and sat upside down for a few hours turning the clutch everyonce and a while making sure it was empty. Bolted it back on and filled it with a bendable funnel. Bolted it all back together, filled it up and have I've cold air.

[01BADGT]

I only got about $60 in it. That's oil,r134a,and o rings. But make sure you replace the orings or it will be pointless to do it.

[01BADGT]

I put about 30 oz. Of r134a in mine and it is ice cold.

[347sc]

I switched to r134 in my 89 back in 1999 and had no problems at with it. I pulled a vac on the system and added oil. Didn't change any seals or o rings. I put several thousand miles(30,000+) and many years on it without an issue.

[CNTLOSE]

Okay, well I was checking out the AC and noticed it has actually already been retrofitted for 134A. So I bought a can and tried to fill it. First the gauge read 15 psi without the can hooked up. Hooked the can up and went to way past red line, so 80+ psi. Still no cold air. The pulley spins fine, but the compressor does not kick on with the AC or Defrost on. The plug shows it is getting power, so I am stumped.

Will the pulley still spin if the compressor is bad?

If so I imagine the compressor is bad...anyone know where to get a good one that does not charge an arm and a leg?

[Brandon Alsept]

Sounds like the clutch on the compressor is junk. That or a pressure switch is bad it will not engage the clutch on the compressor. You would probably be best off taking it to a shop to check it out and get it all fixed properly.