Walking through Kmart today, in the auto department, i saw kits to recharge your A/C, and also "easy conversion kits" to fill your A/C compression system with the newer frigerant. Would this work for my 86? I am not sure, and uncertain, and i dont want to make an investment that isnt worth it. By the way, my A/C only blows hot air now. Any info would be great. Thankx.



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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

It would work, but if your a/c isn't working now.... why?

Did all the refrig. leak out. The new stuff will do the same thing. Pep-Boys is my favorite for a/c stuff. Get 'captured' o-rings and change them out (all of them!) and get a fresh accumulator (dessicant) can. Then you won't need the kit and do it right.

Ooops. Actually to do it right you must evacuate the system to around 25"Hg and make sure it holds for at least 1/2 hour, then charge it. Charging at atmospheric pressure will result in less refrig. getting in at the req'd pressure. Also when going to 134a make sure to add only 80% of the R12 amount. Also add a little oil (refrig oil) to the accumulator.

That's the correct way. A little more pricey, but not after your cool a/c is gone after a week and you're back to square one.

 

Hey, i really appreciate the help...thank you a million.

I think that the rifrigerant did leak out....there is this strip about 1.5" wide or so in a straight line right over my compressor on that hoodliner. Looks like something got sprayed there....and its right over the compressor. So, instead of paying upwards of 600 bucks, just replacing all the o-rings would probably be better. Thanks agian.



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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

Just finished using that kit. I have a new compressor too though. It seems WAY overpriced, considering all it is other than the 134a and oil is two fittings that screw on to your existing "high" and "low" ports. Oh and a hose so you can fill it up. While I had my compressor disconnected (bearing went out in old one and new one was unlubricated so I left it unhooked) a manifold slightly melted the clutch connector wire which is why I think my clutch won't engage. Once I fix that I'll let you know how it is. One old dude at auto zone said he's used it on three cars a over a few years and has no complaints.

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"Life is pain! Anyone who says differently is selling something."

 

I used that conversion kit your talking about 2 years ago, and my AC still works. If you have a very small leak in the system, I think the oil you have to add to the system contains a sealent to take care of it. I didn't evacuate mine so maybe I will and recharge it, but so far I have no complaints about it. Also I saw in a tech article on this site there is a switch you have to adjust when you switch to the new refrigerent.

 

I definetly want to have my compressor checked out first...i do think there is a leak in it, and if thats the case, i dont want to spend money to replace the refrigerant before i fix it. But thank you for the responses....once its fixed, at least i know that this kit wouldnt be a bad idea.

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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

Phantom, some compressors have an "oil shield" around the top of the pulley. It would catch any oil flung out, to keep it off the hood. Just thought I'd let you know... you might have a newer compressor though.

If you have a shop air compressor at your house, http://www.harborfreight.com and JC Whitney both sell a cheap vaccum pump for $15 or so that you could use to evac your system.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Tom,

Thanks alot for your help. I will have to get that pump. BTW, what part of central NJ are you from? I am originally from North Brunswick. Thanks again.



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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH