R-134 conversion

Dejvid1785 · 06-13-2006, 02:23 AM

Has anyone in here converted to r-134 freon? If so i'd like to know what all do i have to buy and how that went.

mrnickleye · 06-13-2006, 03:21 AM

My shop does it for $210.
Don't bother trying to find the correct info on the net, as I just spent an hour reading all kinds of bogus crap on how to convert.

One 'official' sounding article (bad info) said to just let out the remaining R12 and put on the fittings, and add the R134a.

There is more to it than that. Thats why I always recommend that you ask around for the best shop in your area to do the conversion.

If you are in a big city, you may want to find that shop in a nearby sub-burbbbbbbb.....

damdog05 · 06-13-2006, 03:29 AM

is there a way to tell if a car has been converted cus i have no clue if need to convert or just recharge mine.

f00g00 · 06-13-2006, 07:11 PM

Why do you want to change over?

damdog05 · 06-13-2006, 08:00 PM

i thought you had to change to the new system. is this incorrect?

f00g00 · 06-14-2006, 10:38 AM

Ive been told that R134 isn't as efficient as R12 at getting cold, the compressor is bigger for R134 thus maybe more power loss for your engine unless you get a nice one like a Sanden which supposedly doesn't take much power to run and is really efficient.
The main reason people want to convert is R12 is so damn expensive and you need a License to purchase it where as R134 you don't so you can buy it at your local AutoZone and charge it yourself.
Well there is hope.
Freeze 12.
You can keep your existing system and buy Freeze 12 and charge it yourself because Freeze 12 doesn't have any CFC's and its about one dollar more than a can of R134.
I would make sure that your system is intact and up to snuff though i.e. no leaks.
The only problem is that if you do need service on your AC system, at least in Arizona, they "Say" they can't service an R12 system with freeze 12 when they fill it back up but the person that serviced my Blazer had a couple of cases by the soda machines that he must have forgotten about. I asked him if mechanics from other establishments service up a system with freeze 12 but charge for R12 and he said "Absolutely".
As far as Im concerned Hip-huggers and freeze 12 are godsends.(in that order)

Dejvid1785 · 06-15-2006, 05:02 AM

Is there anyway someone can tell me what steps you have to take and what you have to do?

theWeezL · 06-15-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dejvid1785

Is there anyway someone can tell me what steps you have to take and what you have to do?

Buy a conversion kit, follow the instructions...not that hard
you can get a kit with all the nozzles and hoses and refrigerant for like 35 bucks and do it yourself...Im sure the kit has at least basic instructions.

f00g00 · 06-15-2006, 05:27 AM

If your going to go through with it then it is essential that you have a professional do it. Just about every component will have to be replaced with the exception of the condensor and the lines which will need a thorough cleaning as the compressor oil for 134 and R12 are NOT compatible. For more info see this link.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/retrofit.htm
I think its pretty accurate. Im not an A/C mechanic so I don't know all the particulars but read the article as it makes sense.
mrnickleye said his shop does the conversion for 210 dollars, thats probably the labor cost without parts which seems very reasonable but can vary slightly depending on the vehicle. It seems whenever I ask about the swap Im usually told 500 dollars from places like pep boys and other chain stores,
and also just for fixing a leaky system.
I got my Blazer done there before and the total cost was over 800 dollars. That was changing the old compressor with a rebuilt one changing the receiver/dryer and charging the system. The only good thing that came out of it was the mechanic left his cheap flashlight in the engine bay, and my system worked for about 3 months till I went back to Arizona and found out that their Rebuilt compressor was leaking.
One other thing, the article mentioned an oil that is compatible to both R12 and R134 but the old oil will still have to be thoroughly cleaned and any old refridgerent properly evacuated.
Let us know what you do and how it works out.

Isphius · 06-15-2006, 07:33 AM

So if need be, i can fill my system up with freeze 12 and its compatible? i dont think mine leaks. But my motor wont even turn on. I think the relay is bad

06-13-2006, 02:23 AM	#1
Dejvid1785 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 193	R-134 conversion Has anyone in here converted to r-134 freon? If so i'd like to know what all do i have to buy and how that went. __________________ 88 Targa: Exhaust, Headers, Intake

06-13-2006, 03:21 AM	#2
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	My shop does it for $210. Don't bother trying to find the correct info on the net, as I just spent an hour reading all kinds of bogus crap on how to convert. One 'official' sounding article (bad info) said to just let out the remaining R12 and put on the fittings, and add the R134a. There is more to it than that. Thats why I always recommend that you ask around for the best shop in your area to do the conversion. If you are in a big city, you may want to find that shop in a nearby sub-burbbbbbbb..... __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.

06-13-2006, 03:29 AM	#3
damdog05 12psi boost Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	is there a way to tell if a car has been converted cus i have no clue if need to convert or just recharge mine. __________________ My cars: 85 Trans Am- Ehhh- Gone 83 Rx7- Much Better- Gone 86.5 Supra- Love- Not Gone

06-13-2006, 07:11 PM	#4
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	Why? Why do you want to change over?

06-13-2006, 08:00 PM	#5
damdog05 12psi boost Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	i thought you had to change to the new system. is this incorrect? __________________ My cars: 85 Trans Am- Ehhh- Gone 83 Rx7- Much Better- Gone 86.5 Supra- Love- Not Gone

06-14-2006, 10:38 AM	#6
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	My 2 cents on R12 Ive been told that R134 isn't as efficient as R12 at getting cold, the compressor is bigger for R134 thus maybe more power loss for your engine unless you get a nice one like a Sanden which supposedly doesn't take much power to run and is really efficient. The main reason people want to convert is R12 is so damn expensive and you need a License to purchase it where as R134 you don't so you can buy it at your local AutoZone and charge it yourself. Well there is hope. Freeze 12. You can keep your existing system and buy Freeze 12 and charge it yourself because Freeze 12 doesn't have any CFC's and its about one dollar more than a can of R134. I would make sure that your system is intact and up to snuff though i.e. no leaks. The only problem is that if you do need service on your AC system, at least in Arizona, they "Say" they can't service an R12 system with freeze 12 when they fill it back up but the person that serviced my Blazer had a couple of cases by the soda machines that he must have forgotten about. I asked him if mechanics from other establishments service up a system with freeze 12 but charge for R12 and he said "Absolutely". As far as Im concerned Hip-huggers and freeze 12 are godsends.(in that order)

06-15-2006, 05:02 AM	#7
Dejvid1785 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 193	Is there anyway someone can tell me what steps you have to take and what you have to do? __________________ 88 Targa: Exhaust, Headers, Intake

06-15-2006, 05:27 AM	#9
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	Conversion If your going to go through with it then it is essential that you have a professional do it. Just about every component will have to be replaced with the exception of the condensor and the lines which will need a thorough cleaning as the compressor oil for 134 and R12 are NOT compatible. For more info see this link. http://www.aa1car.com/library/retrofit.htm I think its pretty accurate. Im not an A/C mechanic so I don't know all the particulars but read the article as it makes sense. mrnickleye said his shop does the conversion for 210 dollars, thats probably the labor cost without parts which seems very reasonable but can vary slightly depending on the vehicle. It seems whenever I ask about the swap Im usually told 500 dollars from places like pep boys and other chain stores, and also just for fixing a leaky system. I got my Blazer done there before and the total cost was over 800 dollars. That was changing the old compressor with a rebuilt one changing the receiver/dryer and charging the system. The only good thing that came out of it was the mechanic left his cheap flashlight in the engine bay, and my system worked for about 3 months till I went back to Arizona and found out that their Rebuilt compressor was leaking. One other thing, the article mentioned an oil that is compatible to both R12 and R134 but the old oil will still have to be thoroughly cleaned and any old refridgerent properly evacuated. Let us know what you do and how it works out.

06-15-2006, 07:33 AM	#10
Isphius 500whp yet? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long branch, NJ Posts: 1,006	So if need be, i can fill my system up with freeze 12 and its compatible? i dont think mine leaks. But my motor wont even turn on. I think the relay is bad __________________ Yay the supra assistant is gone!!! WEEE!!

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