r-12->r134 conversion

[cory321]

anyone every tried one of the conversion kits they have at autozone.when the po hooked the a/c up he never charged it.Was wondering if the kits were any good

[Jim_PA]

I did it to my 84z28 years ago. I remember it being pretty straightforward. If I remember correctly, the oil you need to buy to fill the compressor is pretty spendy.

[cory321]

The kit i was looking at was 35.00 and had supposedly enough refridgerant included

[cory321]

Its says it has 3 cans of refridgerant 1 can of conditioner and a can of leak detector

[Jim_PA]

I'm not talking about the refrigerant -- this is the actual oil used to fill the compressor.

Maybe they are implying now that you can just use the regular stuff, but about 10 years ago, I remember I had to change the compressor oil.

[cory321]

I'll have to check that out

[sodak69c10]

one thing you have to know about refrigerants is that r-12 used a mineral oil that suspended its self in the refrigerant and the pumps were desighn to lubricate with that oil,but there are r-134 compatible oils for r-12 components, some of your overthe counter kits can contain "filler additives" and can do damage, i a firm believer that it is a good idea to take it to an ac shop and have them charge it because they will have the proper oils/fittings/tools and they will be able to evacuate your system and check for leaks then fill it

just my two cents worth

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by sodak69c10

one thing you have to know about refrigerants is that r-12 used a mineral oil that suspended its self in the refrigerant and the pumps were desighn to lubricate with that oil,but there are r-134 compatible oils for r-12 components, some of your overthe counter kits can contain "filler additives" and can do damage, i a firm believer that it is a good idea to take it to an ac shop and have them charge it because they will have the proper oils/fittings/tools and they will be able to evacuate your system and check for leaks then fill it

just my two cents worth

Yeah, what he said I went out to check the fluids cabinet, and to my surprise, I found what I used "back in the day" -- It's called Ester 100, and says on the back of the bottle it's to be used in R-12 and r-134 systems. I don't see the harm in doing the work yourself, but at the same time, it's kind of a crap-shoot. It will either work and you'll be happy, or you'll have a leak, and it won't last that long... then you'll probably want to have it vacuumed and leak-tested at a shop.

I think I paid about 35 bucks for a quart some time ago, but it looks like the price came down a bit, or I got robbed: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cas6808.html

[sodak69c10]

ESTER oils!! that was the term i was trying to remember thanx, most systems now use PAG oils(they kinda like a sponge they absorb water and shouldn't be exposed to air very long)

[cory321]

I found a coupon for a "free" a/c performance test at midas probably take it there and have it tested