Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aero-pilot · 05-14-2009, 07:00 PM

Here is my problem...

last winter I had new refrigerant put in my A/C unit. It worked great for the very few hot days we had in the spring, now it is summer time and it doesn't work correctly. I say "correctly" because I can get the a/c to turn on but it won't stay on (it will blow cold then stop blowing cold and blow warm). Now I have checked the level in the unit and found it to be excessively high... I know that if the unit gets to low it will shut off to save your condenser from burning up.

I know it works, sometimes, because I'll turn it on and pop the hood and I can not only feel the condensation but watch it form. Do you think the cause might be because the refrigerant is extra full? I recently put new valve cover gaskets on but I wouldn't think I messed anything up with the a/c.

Please! I'm to young to burn!

aero-pilot · 05-14-2009, 07:15 PM

here are a couple of pics if it helps...

yes I still have the exhaust manifold still on! I'm lame!

tgh117 · 05-14-2009, 08:11 PM

It sounds to me like the level is too low. There is no way to really check the current level in your truck without hooking it up to an air conditioning machine and checking the high and low pressures while the system is running. I am in the process of putting my truck back together and will now have AC and was lucky enough that my neighbor had about 7 lbs of R12 he had laying around and didn't want anymore, otherwise I would have been in the same boat as you and doing a 134 conversion.

Sorry for the digression, I am thinking there is a slight leak in some one of the connections or o rings and it leaked some of the freon back out. If you want your air working, you are more then likely going to have to take it back to an air specialist, and ask them to use a sniffer to check for leaks.

Good luck

aero-pilot · 05-21-2009, 12:03 PM

Thanks tgh117! I was thinking the worse!

I feel sort of dumb posting this but the problem turned out to be my compressor connection wires. I had one of my friends turn the a/c on and off while I had my face under the hood and I notices the the compressor clutch wouldn't kick on every time the a/c switch was switched! haha, so yes an easy fix

tgh117 · 05-21-2009, 12:32 PM

at least you got it figured out and back working again!

05-14-2009, 07:00 PM	#1
aero-pilot praise the lowered Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 81	Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci Here is my problem... last winter I had new refrigerant put in my A/C unit. It worked great for the very few hot days we had in the spring, now it is summer time and it doesn't work correctly. I say "correctly" because I can get the a/c to turn on but it won't stay on (it will blow cold then stop blowing cold and blow warm). Now I have checked the level in the unit and found it to be excessively high... I know that if the unit gets to low it will shut off to save your condenser from burning up. I know it works, sometimes, because I'll turn it on and pop the hood and I can not only feel the condensation but watch it form. Do you think the cause might be because the refrigerant is extra full? I recently put new valve cover gaskets on but I wouldn't think I messed anything up with the a/c. Please! I'm to young to burn! __________________ If you get bored... a) Check out additional photos of my truck in my profile 2) www.myspace.com/turnvail (music I make). I know it's weird last) contact me I will teach you to fly.

05-14-2009, 07:15 PM	#2
aero-pilot praise the lowered Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 81	Re: Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci here are a couple of pics if it helps... yes I still have the exhaust manifold still on! I'm lame! Attached Images __________________ If you get bored... a) Check out additional photos of my truck in my profile 2) www.myspace.com/turnvail (music I make). I know it's weird last) contact me I will teach you to fly.

05-14-2009, 08:11 PM	#3
tgh117 Crazy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Emmaus, Pa Posts: 203	Re: Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci It sounds to me like the level is too low. There is no way to really check the current level in your truck without hooking it up to an air conditioning machine and checking the high and low pressures while the system is running. I am in the process of putting my truck back together and will now have AC and was lucky enough that my neighbor had about 7 lbs of R12 he had laying around and didn't want anymore, otherwise I would have been in the same boat as you and doing a 134 conversion. Sorry for the digression, I am thinking there is a slight leak in some one of the connections or o rings and it leaked some of the freon back out. If you want your air working, you are more then likely going to have to take it back to an air specialist, and ask them to use a sniffer to check for leaks. Good luck __________________ 77 SB Stepside in a bunch of pieces scattered around the garage.

05-21-2009, 12:03 PM	#4
aero-pilot praise the lowered Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 81	Re: Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci Thanks tgh117! I was thinking the worse! I feel sort of dumb posting this but the problem turned out to be my compressor connection wires. I had one of my friends turn the a/c on and off while I had my face under the hood and I notices the the compressor clutch wouldn't kick on every time the a/c switch was switched! haha, so yes an easy fix __________________ If you get bored... a) Check out additional photos of my truck in my profile 2) www.myspace.com/turnvail (music I make). I know it's weird last) contact me I will teach you to fly.

05-21-2009, 12:32 PM	#5
tgh117 Crazy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Emmaus, Pa Posts: 203	Re: Air Conditioning R12 convert to 134a - 1982, 350ci at least you got it figured out and back working again! __________________ 77 SB Stepside in a bunch of pieces scattered around the garage.



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