What kind of air conditioner recharge kit do you get for a 1986 944?

I’m not sure that is my problem but feel that’s where I most likely will start. Of course I will check to see if it’s needed first.

Thanks

 

It's R-12 (Freon) unless a previous owner has had the system converted.

 

Thanks,

Has any one ever done this? Convert from R-12 to the standard?

 

Lots of people have. Almost everyone goes R-134a (need to replace the receiver/drier and evacuate the system first). There are other alternatives, but it's a minefield and unless you want to do a _lot_ of research and potentially more work, you're probably better off to just go with R-134a.

 

Can you still get r-12, I thought it was being phased out?

 

I do not think so. I was planning on converting unless it already is. How can you tell? There should be a sticker correct?

Thanks

 

I just checked the records that came with my car, and it was filled with r-12 in 2001. I'm going to try and find that.

Conor

 

you can found some old cans of R-12 laying around, but they are getting rare and $$$. its better to just convert the car to R-134a, esp bcs our cars work well with the new stuff. R-134a isn't as cold as the the old R-12, so you may lose some cooling, Personaly I haven't noticed any lost in cooling temperature. you can find a conversation kit at wal-mart for like $40-50, but its better to replace the drier ($30-40) and then convert the AC system. The conversion shouldn't be too costly and is worth it.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> I was planning on converting unless it already is. How can you tell? There should be a sticker correct? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">sticker?, possibly. there isn't always a sticker.

usually the fittings where you charge the AC system will be changed over to the newer style. the ones I have on my car are much bigger than the 'bicycle tire style' r-12 fittings. sorry I'm no an expert on the AC system, and I don't have my car right now so I can't show you a picture.

 

My system was rebuilt for R-12 in 2001. Works like a charm - very cold. It is expensive to recharge but that is only every 3-5 years! The 134 converted cars I have been in are not nearly as cool - sorta important in the South!

 

Only certified AC shops will have R12. They recover it when they convert a car to R143a and most laid up a supply before it went out of production. I think they charge about $2 an ounce for R12.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by rpm's S2:
<strong>My system was rebuilt for R-12 in 2001. Works like a charm - very cold. It is expensive to recharge but that is only every 3-5 years! The 134 converted cars I have been in are not nearly as cool - sorta important in the South!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Had mine converted a year ago by a local shop for $80. It will FUHREEZZZZEEE you out. I can't run it over 2 or 3 in the heat of the summer. I had heard that 134 wasn't as cold also, wrong. And I would say I am the one in the SOUTH!!!!!

 

Thanks for all the help. My car was converted to R-134. I purchased a can of charge and it's working great. I still have to add another can but it seams to work fine.

How long do you leave the can connected when charging? I left it on for several minutes and when I took it off it seamed like the can still had some refrigerant in it. Any comments?

Thanks again!

 

cmsnyder, then your system is probably full. Get one of those guages from an auto parts store to check the pressure. If it is full it will not want to take any more, but you need to check the pressure to make sure you haven't overcharged the system. The guage is cheap.