A/C question R12 or 134a ??

[Sqrlnts]

So I just purchased a used AC compressor for my hatch. Question is do they still charge up cars with R12? Is it pricey? Would it be more cost effective to have it converted to R134a? Does this require a new compressor?
Thanks chaps!

[93mustank]

I just bought the r134a conversion kit from walmart. Comes with the new fittings. Run one bottle through and flush out. Then fill back up.

[Sqrlnts]

Cool, so the 134a you put back in came from the little self fill service bottles you can buy anywhere? Did you have to do anything special for the oring seals, oil wise? How does it cool compared to R12?

[93mustank]

Yup anywhere....I just got the whole kit. Came with three bottles and the fittings. Nothing special with the rings. Have not filled mine up yet. Doing some finishing touches on my car. Have done it on other mustangs. Blows colder.

[Sqrlnts]

Does it not require that you evacuate the system at some point?

[93mustank]

Not that I know of. i just let the r12 into sweet mother earths air. Put one bottle of r134a in. released it out. then filled the system back up.

[4Jenna]

r12 blows cooler, 134 is less efficient


my notch was already converted to 134 when I got it.

[Sqrlnts]

r12 blows cooler, 134 is less efficient


my notch was already converted to 134 when I got it.

That is what I heard as well. My old vert was converted before I bought it and it didn't seem to cool as well as my other mustang which was R12.

[fazm]

r12 works much better.

and yes you can convert to r134a that way, but its a bandaid and will only cause problems in your future (compressors going to shit) since you cant get all the r12 out by just opening the system. when r12 and r134a are combined they can make pressures very erratic, causing systems to go to shit.

just my 2 cents.

[Lucafu1]

yup what the other guys said. r12 is better, but cost more.

please dont let it out into the air, thats really bad. go get your system evacuated and then flush it out. i would replace o-rings and expansion tube and dont forget compressor oil. you should also replace the dryer when you open the system but you can get away with it sometimes.

[93mustank]

Just finished mine last night ...blows ice cold

[santa_rosa_lt1]

Not that I know of. i just let the r12 into sweet mother earths air. Put one bottle of r134a in. released it out. then filled the system back up.
*knock on door http://www.missionpolice.org/images/swat1.jpg

[Steve2000GT]

r12 or freeze 12, both are alot cooler than r134a. Checkers sells the kit for like 30 bucks to do the conversion. You will need a lisence to buy freeze 12, which you can still get at some places. I bought the cans for 6 dollars a piece and just kept my foxbody r12.

[Mr. Austin]

haha im STILL running r12 in my car and i kick the air on every once in a while. and u guys are talking about r12 like it is stilla round didnt they stop making it?

[Steve2000GT]

you can still buy ( Freeze 12 ).

[About2Bite]

Isn't R12 about as rare as gold? lol

I thought that stuff was about as expensive as gold too

[Mr. Austin]

tehe it is :) my dad has a can and im trying to convince him to hand it over...
their was like a 5 quart going on ebay they got like 6k for it or something like that it was up there. and somelucky dude found it in his backyard prob..

[TorchedMach1]

Yes r12 is rare, and very expensive. I would suggest the 134a. First you would have to find someone with r12, then have somebody with an EPA license purchase it for you.

I do have a license and can purchase it for you if needed. I also have 2 cans sitting in the garage one of my old customers gave to me, but I'll be hanging on to those.

[1966PonyGirl]

imo, if 134 isnt as good as R 12, 80 degrees vs 115 degrees in your car with stop and go traffic is the real question you should ask your self.

[swirl]

I work in a shop and yes you can convert to 134 but you do have to change all the o rings out and get a new dryer. Just like one of the other guys in here said you cant combine the 2 and the dryer will have old r12 in it. Then you need to put the system in a vacuum with a pump to burn off any moisture in the system otherwise you could be buying a new comressor and dryer in the future from them going bad if you dont.

[Jeremy]

I have a case of freeze 12 in my garage that I dont need anymore. If your interested pm me.

[jjmatheson]

Im scared about all the misconceptions about air conditioning. Why a used compressor that's asking for trouble? Yes you should put the system in a thirty inch pound vacuum for thirty minutes. You should get all new components not because of compatibility issues, do it because you do not know for sure if that comp. is good. A compressor, orifice tube, dryer, flush and pag 50 can be purchased as a kit for around 400.00 dollars and don't go to Auto Zone or Checkers. It will cost a lot more if the compressor explodes and puts containament's in the condenser or the evaporator it will be hard to get i out. Get a high pressure switch for a R134. There is never a guarantee with air conditioning so buy a Visteon kit so you can get a warranty. Maybe new hoses to insure no leaks. Hope this helps.

[Arch Angel]

I use R414b This is used in place of R12 and R134a without any conversions or oil changing. It must be charged as a liquid. You use 10% less refrigerant than R134a and works much better than ether one. I tested it in Death Valley this summer and had to turn it down because getting too cold. You must evacuate and put under a va***m any system that has been opened or freon removed. This will remove any moistier in the system which will corrode internal parts if this is not done.

[1966PonyGirl]

what would be the price range of R414b?

[Arch Angel]

I sell R414b for $21.77 per 10 oz can. that includes tax.

[Sqrlnts]

Im scared about all the misconceptions about air conditioning. Why a used compressor that's asking for trouble?

Its simple, $$$. Basically the same reason people buy used 200K mile engines slap them in and strap a huge NOS shot to them. When they blow, pull and replace, its just a chance I am taking.

[jjmatheson]

Its simple, $$$. Basically the same reason people buy used 200K mile engines slap them in and strap a huge NOS shot to them. When they blow, pull and replace, its just a chance I am taking.
Well good luck to ya. Twelve years of doing automotive repair tells me that usually doesn't work for long and you end up spending more. I hate to see you chase your tail.