AC question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

phlegm · 07-05-2005, 04:21 PM

The post on R-12 replacements got me thinking. Is it worth it for me to purchase the Frezee 12 kit, 80 bucks on Ebay, with the check valve so i can check and fill myself? How hard is it to do, I hear it can be dangerous if you are not sure what you are doing. My AC works well once on the highway, but arround town it is luke cool at best. My father in law says it needs a shot, but I am not sure. I think it its low when I test it the way my haynes manual says(grabbing the 2 pipes to see if air temp is different).

There is a place in town that can do the R-12 check and replacement with approved coolant, but if in the long run its cheaper I would rather do it myself.

phlegm · 07-06-2005, 02:09 PM

Come on, I cant be the only Newbe that ever tried to learn to check these?

I have a 93 Honda accord that this may apply to as well (not sure what kind of system it is on).

bouncytruck · 07-06-2005, 02:26 PM

I was just talking to WES at classicheartbeat about this Saturday. He said that if you have complete stock AC setup, you will get the best results out of the R12, therefore he felt is was best to just get the system recharged. If you convert, you will most likely not get as cold of air.

It is illegal for you to refill your R12 system. I'm not sure what the Freeze 12 kit is, but I don't think it can be R12 Freon.

TN70C10 · 07-06-2005, 04:18 PM

IMO there is no better alternative to 134a out there. Yes its not as efficent as R12 maybe by 2 degrees or so, but its alot more efficent than R12 alternatives and its safer, cheaper and you can find it cheap at any parts store. 134a is more prone to leaking so maybe once a year you go spend another 4.99 on another can. R12 replacements are usually high in hydrocarbons, if you fill your system with that crap and have a evaporator leak, your truck sits over night, you get in it and light a cig....BOOOM. Well maybe not that bad but it is possible in theory.

phlegm · 07-06-2005, 04:24 PM

bringing me to yet another good question, how would I know if the PO already did a conversion?

TN70C10 · 07-06-2005, 05:25 PM

134a has a different type of fitting. Much larger quick release fittings. It really doesnt matter though. Just vent whats in the system out. Have someone vacuum the system, and get the 39.90 conversion kit at AZ that comes with 3 cans of freon w/oil, charge hose and fittings. You may need one xtra can. With the 134 you charge 80% of what you would have with R12. I did this on my 90 Mustang, 89 Firebird, and my dads 67 Buick 225, none of them have had any problems and they all cool very good. The step not to skip is to vacuum the system, it will let you know if you have a major leak (wont hold vacuum) and gets all the moisture out of the system.

07-05-2005, 04:21 PM	#1
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	AC question The post on R-12 replacements got me thinking. Is it worth it for me to purchase the Frezee 12 kit, 80 bucks on Ebay, with the check valve so i can check and fill myself? How hard is it to do, I hear it can be dangerous if you are not sure what you are doing. My AC works well once on the highway, but arround town it is luke cool at best. My father in law says it needs a shot, but I am not sure. I think it its low when I test it the way my haynes manual says(grabbing the 2 pipes to see if air temp is different). There is a place in town that can do the R-12 check and replacement with approved coolant, but if in the long run its cheaper I would rather do it myself. __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

07-06-2005, 02:09 PM	#2
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Come on, I cant be the only Newbe that ever tried to learn to check these? I have a 93 Honda accord that this may apply to as well (not sure what kind of system it is on). __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was Last edited by phlegm; 07-06-2005 at 03:57 PM.

07-06-2005, 02:26 PM	#3
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	I was just talking to WES at classicheartbeat about this Saturday. He said that if you have complete stock AC setup, you will get the best results out of the R12, therefore he felt is was best to just get the system recharged. If you convert, you will most likely not get as cold of air. It is illegal for you to refill your R12 system. I'm not sure what the Freeze 12 kit is, but I don't think it can be R12 Freon. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-06-2005, 04:24 PM	#5
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	bringing me to yet another good question, how would I know if the PO already did a conversion? __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

07-06-2005, 04:18 PM	#4
TN70C10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 115	IMO there is no better alternative to 134a out there. Yes its not as efficent as R12 maybe by 2 degrees or so, but its alot more efficent than R12 alternatives and its safer, cheaper and you can find it cheap at any parts store. 134a is more prone to leaking so maybe once a year you go spend another 4.99 on another can. R12 replacements are usually high in hydrocarbons, if you fill your system with that crap and have a evaporator leak, your truck sits over night, you get in it and light a cig....BOOOM. Well maybe not that bad but it is possible in theory.

07-06-2005, 05:25 PM	#6
TN70C10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 115	134a has a different type of fitting. Much larger quick release fittings. It really doesnt matter though. Just vent whats in the system out. Have someone vacuum the system, and get the 39.90 conversion kit at AZ that comes with 3 cans of freon w/oil, charge hose and fittings. You may need one xtra can. With the 134 you charge 80% of what you would have with R12. I did this on my 90 Mustang, 89 Firebird, and my dads 67 Buick 225, none of them have had any problems and they all cool very good. The step not to skip is to vacuum the system, it will let you know if you have a major leak (wont hold vacuum) and gets all the moisture out of the system.



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