Last summer I went and did the R134 conversion kit, the compressor about five minutes into it starting spewing R134 and the oil all over the place. Needless to say it doesn't work

I just bought a new AC compressor for the car and want to know if I have the lines evacuated, put the new compressor on, can I fill it back up with R12 and everything be fine? What things, if any, would need to be changed to make it work?

Since I need to have it evacuated anyway, is there a "real" kit to switch over to R134? Like complete with new gaskets and O-rings? Can I use the old compressor?

Any help appreciated.

James

 

i never heard of going to r134 from r12 and then back..

i guess you need to just redo what you did when installing the r134. i guess just clean everything good..

maybe someone else will know for sure..

 

You don't want to go to R12, if it leaks it really is bad for the environmnet. And it is expensive and you can get fined I think about $10,000 if someone reports you venting it.

But the R134A would not make the compressor blow straight away. It must have been ready to let go.

If you bought a new compressor it should be set up for R 134.

You can get R12 to R 134A conversion kit for about $40. They have new O rings for the connectors.

The new oils that come with the conversion kits are supposed to create a film over the O rings and protect them from the R134 A

You do need to remove as much of the old oil as possible by flushing with alchol and blowing the lines through. Then reconnect, pull the vacuum a few times to clear the moisture, and it should be ready to charge up with oil and refrigerant.

 

Well,

I have a new/used compressor but its an actual 88. Remanufactured one. I can get R12 for dealer cost, and will of course have them evacuate the system. There was no R12 in the system before hand. I had it evacuated. I just don't want to have another episode like the one I just had. What if I replaced the lines? Would that work?

James

 

R-12 is a better refrigerant as far as cooling is concerned. To do a 134 changeover you need to replace the O rings and hoses as well. 134 will migrate through standard 12 material. All replacement hoses from GM will come through compatible for BOTH refrigerants. If you want to do it right there is only one proper way. Replace the accumulator, orifice tube, hoses and all O rings. Flush the evaporator and condensor then when everything is hooked up vacuum the system for the specified time. Then begin the 134 fill. If you can get 12, use it. If you convert don't take the cheap way, you'll be constantly adding refrigerant. What many people don't realize is that there is a difference in mechanical components for systems using 134. GM has issued TSB's regarding conversion but they still carry 12 inventory for older systems. It is up to you which way you go, but the $40 route only causes problems.

 

Okay so if you guys say the cheapo $40-ish conversion kit (I'm assuming the one found at walmarts and Autozones) is not worth it, does anyone know of a GOOD R-12 to R-134a conversion kit???

 

The $40 one I know about is from NAPA. However I didn't bother with it. The system was emptied professionally, then I just flushed out the old lubricant. Put new O rings in the connections to the condensor, and reciever, pulled a vacumm a few times to remove the moisture, and charged it up.
It is OK. I guess it might fail but if it does, I'll fix it then.