Just how cold is the original R12 gas in these cars? I recently serviced my ac with R134a gas, changed the receiver drier and expansion valve, and I'm getting about 42 deg from the center vent at 80 deg ambient.
Is it worth going to r12? How much colder would it get?

 

I have the Griffiths compressor and barrier hose kit sold in the back of Excellence. Put the whole shebang on and evacuated for 2 hours. Really about 42 degrees is about all it will do. If you get it on the road and get good airflow over the condenser it will go into the 30's, but if you're in stop and go in the heat it's pretty lame. Basically 134 sucks. It might work better with a 134 designed condenser but....

I have an 07 Ford F-150 that the a/c is pretty lame in. The condenser is the size of a barn door in that thing and in the heat it's crappy. No excuse for a new vehicle.

Although in our 05 Camry you could hang meat. I'ts great.

So IMO 134 is not the equal of R-12 but it's cheap and doable for the garage hack.

 

The compressor, condenser and evaporator are designed for R12 and you will get lower more consistent temperatures with it than you will get with 134a.

 

When I replaced the old A/C system in my 951, I paid extra to keep the R12 in it and it blew very cold. Much better than in my newer cars.

 

I still have R12 in my car and it works pretty good so long as I am not driving directly into the sun. For some reason, if the sun is in front of me, coming in through the windshield, I BAKE in the car with the A/C on MAX. As soon as I turn around (and especially if the sun is behind me) I actually have to tone it down a little, it gets too cold in the car.

Note I usually only kick the A/C on if it gets over 90 and is humid. Otherwise I prefer to have the windows down. Especially now that I have the cloth Recaros in the car (instead of the stock leather... where you slime around if you start to sweat.)

 

Keep it R-12 and you can look for/ find a product call "Freeze 12" its a replacement to R12 but has the same properties just not "as much" CFC's.... that way your a/c system will still run as efficently as if you were running R-12.... the down side is that you do need an "A/C licence" to purchase it but its well worth the $8 a can unlike "Real R12" which now is in the $60 a can..

Carl

 

My r134a converted car blows 38F air out the vents, plenty cold!

 

Oh and BTW - a ~40 degree delta is pretty good IMO. That's about all I get on R12 right now.

The only time I've seen a bigger difference between vent temp and ambient is in my dad's '69 GTO. We can get sub-32F temps out of the vents on an 80+ degree day.

 

There are also analogs for R12, R414a and others that will work in an R12 system.

 

Use the search engine and type in AC Maintenance. Ehall started the thread two summers ago and there is some good info there for research. I'd post a link, but I'm less than adept at inserting the corrrect link.

 

Just finished replacing all black orings with the R134a green ones. Also, replaced the expansion valve, rebuilt compressor for the R134a and receiver dryer. Filled with R134a and the car will freeze me out. I caught myself turning the temp dial to almost midway yesterday. I live in South Florida so is isn't by any means a cool dry climate. I am very happy with the results of all the headaches, my sunglasses fog up when I get out of the car.

 

Can you share any details as to what you did to the compressor? Thanks.

Josh

 

My N/A will also freeze me out with 134A converted system... I just toped off the charge (took about 8oz) and I am seeing 40 deg at the vents with ambients in the 80s... it DOES blow colder while moving, but is plenty cold while sitting still... even facing into the sun!

my 951 has a leak from the evaporator, and I will be repairing the system while the engine is out.. full 134 conversion, new evap and new whatever else needs replaced... I am considering placing a larger condensor "while I am in there.. but we will see!

 

1. Go online for R-12 license and buy it cheaper. Do seals while at it. Have system vacuumed completely, but try and get them to pay for the valuable R-12 they take from your car, or recycle it in the car, if possible.

2. Replace hot black cargo cover and black dash cover with marine grade vinyl of good quality and light color. Our cars are efficient solar ovens, esp. with black horizontal surfaces inside. Replace with lighter colors if/as possible.

 

I'd be interested in seeing what condenser you use, I've considered the same thing.