Anybody converted to R134? I see tons of stuff online as to what does and dose need need to be done. I see kits at the stores that only change the o rings and others that let you do the conversion on a sealed system????

I still have to drag my 951 into the garage, it's been sitting for a year so this info is actually for my Corolla Alltarc. But the principle's would be the same. Hell the AC in the 951 might be the one thing that still works!

 

Dont switch!!!!
Look for a product call "Freeze 12" it is a replacement for "R12"... That way it will still cool very well, if you put R134A into a R12 system it will NOT get very cold and the hose will leak due to the R134A molecules being smaller than the R12.... So you will be servicing the system more than TWICE a year to keep it blowing cold....
Due a search in Google for "Freeze 12"..... or if you take you car to a shop have them get it... I bought a case and it was like $130 for 12 cans..... im a tech so I have all the correct lic. to buy that stuff....

Good luck!!

 

I switched a year or so ago....my mechanic purged the system and filled it with R134 and changed the valves. Since then my AC blows nice and cold even on +90F days with very high humidity.....I actually have to keep it on the 2nd speed if I am on a highway as it gets too cold for me. Also, please keep in mind these cars are from the 80's and also a Porsche, so the technology with regards to AC is no where near what is in todays base cars. While I am not a tech....I have had no problems to date.

Also, as a price check for you...my garage charged me about $125 to convert it.

 

I still have a bunch of genuine R-12 here...

When my compressor died a few years ago, I converted to R-134... it definitely doesn't cool as well at idle and low speeds.

Happy to sell my remaining stock of R12, which I'd been hoarding for as long as my car still used it.

 

I had a shop convert my car to R134 2 years ago. Blows extremely cold even in the 100F weather we were having in the northeast recently.

 

I found this procedure in a thread, I think eniac posted it. It worked perfectly:

step 1 go to walmart and buy airdynamics conversion kit
step 2 jack of driver side of car
step 3 attatch low pressure conversion nozzle
step 4 start car and turn AC on full blast
Fill that up and enjoy your frosty cold air.
this 134 is mixable with all r12 left over

I am no expert in this area but many here have done this without ill effects.

 

One word.


Propane

Dirt cheap, r-12 compatible, and WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more efficient.

 

You can buy the gauges and vacuum pump from harbor freight for under $200. For me it was a good investment, since I had 3 cars that needed A/C work done. On the 951, I just pulled the compressor and drained it, replaced the o-rings and dryer, pulled a vacuum for about an hour and then charged the system. It blows cold enough for me... only problem is my compressor is leaking like crazy so I'll need to replace it soon.

 

Yes .... a friend of mine ran it in his R12 system for a truck he HAD..... for some reason Propane is VERY flammable when there is a small leak and bad spark plug wires mix..... Im not brave enough to try it but he said it worked great.....for a while...

 

Ok guys thanks, I did use the Freeze 12 in my N/A and had no problems. I'm thinking as long as a system still works just keep it as is. If you have to open it (getting it evacuated of course) then convert.

 

same experience here..

 

Yes, the slight downside is the increased risk for car-b-q

 

I used a 134a kit, including new dryer, seals and oil, I think from Griffiths. I pulled it down for a few hours. Been blowing cold for 18 months.

 

You want R12 if you can find it

My 951 was recharged with R12. A few weeks ago when we had stifling heat here in Chicago, a 95 degree day, I had 42.5 degree air coming out of my vents.

 

I want to keep R12, but my compressor clutch is bad and slips under load. If I have to open my system to replace that compressor I'm going to do the whole conversion.