Does anyone know a way I can tell if my car has been converted to 134a without taking it somewhere and paying to find out? It has a r134a adapter on the low pressure valve, but that is the only sign I can see that it might have been converted. The guy I bought it from said he doesn't know, all he knows is he bought it from a dealership and the a/c was working good when he got it. But now the compressor cycles off and on every 5 seconds, and it needs a recharge. Logic tells me that it has been converted, but are there any other signs that show when a car has been converted to r134a? And also, is it possible for someone to dump r134a into an empty r12 system (without converting), and have it blow cold air for a few days? Thanks!

 

If you have a R-134 adapter on your low pressure side, it's probably been converted. Look on the accumulator for a sticker. If it hasn't been converted, then you can't put R-134 into an R-12 system. You will need to replace the accumulator and orifice tube before you can convert. Matt

 

The first thing I did was check for the sticker. But there was not one. I'm guessing it was converted, but what would happen if I put r134a into it and it was not converted? Would it damage anything? The cans of 134a are cheap, so I might just try that. Thanks

 

Taste!

134 is sweeter than the old 12! LOL

Just kidding!

Did you check for the adapter on the low pressure side?

The 12 fitting is set for screw on gauges and the 134 is a quick connect. If you still have the 12 fitting on you will not be able to add 134.

 

Well I tasted it, and it wasn't sweet , but I put in some r134a anyway. And it it worked for now. The air blowing on max is in the high 40's, so I figure I made the right choice. I am going to test it later today to make sure I am not leaking any. Thanks for the help!

 

what year did they start using the r134? I have a 90 so im guessing it is still the old crap ??

 

I'm not sure in Camaros, but, in general, early to mid 90's
all third gens were originally R12

 

my 94 Plymouth minivan came standard with 134. I think that is one of the earliest "domestic car" with 134.

 

94 B-Bodies were all R-134a.

Anybody know of a good shop in CT that services R-12 systems? My A/C is very good (original charge), but at times it doesn't seem to be as cold as it could (at 70mph).

 

i think 94 was the required year to change over.