dnwong

My car originally had R-12 but then the previous owner used one of those cheap R-13 kits and put in R-13 with the R-12. Now my AC leaks all the time. Instead of upgrading the whole system, I was thinking of vacuuming out the old stuff and putting in Freeze - 12 which I hope will be more compatible with the old freon and not leak out through the seals.

thoughts?

xsboost90

ok they prob. put in some 134-a which works fine in the system w/o any modification. Technically you are supposed to vac the system down, change out seals and install a new dryer, change the oil to PAG i think before you convert. I've swapped many straight to 134a just vaccumed the system down and refilled w/ 134a that had oil in it. Works great w/ no problems. If your system is leaking down you need to replace seals- prob the two on the side of the compressor most common- R12 is obsolete and is about $100-200 a can where you can get two cans of 134a for about $30.

dnwong

I was thinking of vacuuming down and using a kit like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Freez...em330216350621

MAGK944

The kit you link is not recommended if you want a reliable a/c system. My advise, contact Griffiths (not affiliated). They know the 944 system and will answer all your questions. Their tech page for conversions is here

KuHL 951

I have to disagree. I've done several older R-12 systems with Freeze 12 and they still work great. The full R-134 conversions suck in our hot Summers here whenever air flow is restricted over the condensor like heavy traffic. Freeze 12 runs colder and at lower pressure than the R-134. As long as the system is leak free and the compressor is still efficient there is no reason to convert to R-134. Remember also that it R-134 will be phased out just like R-12 within 5 years. I do agree though on Griffiths being the best source for 944 AC info and compressors.

I run R-12 in my 944's though because I can still get it from Mexico from DuPont at a much lower price than here.

MAGK944

+1 if you can get a cheap source of R-12 then I agree, stick with it, no need to convert.

R-134 works great for me here in FL, but I was careful to replace all the seals, dryer, exp valve and condensor (to the high efficiency Griffiths model). Since the upgrade there have been times that I have had to turn the temp away from the 'full cold' setting that it was always on before I converted.

BTW, R-134 may be phased out within 5 years, but it will continue to be supplied for ten years after it's replacement, unlike R12.

knfeparty

Can you honestly just vacuum the system and throw in some r134a? I don't ever use AC, even in my BMW where it works great. I only run it because the manual says I have to run it for 15minutes once a month to keep it working right.

It's the girlfriend, of course, who doesn't like having the windows down...so I just need some AC that will work occassionally, with fills that last about 4 months.

Mike C.

I've had good luck with Freeze-12.