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R12 to R134a Conversion

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Old 06-19-2004, 09:08 PM
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Default R12 to R134a Conversion

What'* the deal with this, what extra work, and how much does it cost? Who'* done this already? (93 was the last year for R12, which is VERY hard to find now).
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Old 06-19-2004, 09:33 PM
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I saw one of those conversion kits at Autozone today...I knew this would be brought up here.

Bill have you read the back of the kit just to see what it has to say? Sounds interesting.
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Old 06-19-2004, 09:35 PM
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Most salvage yards pump the old r12 out of salvage cars and will fill you. Or you can have your r12 pumped out then you can put the other collant in.
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Old 06-19-2004, 09:59 PM
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I used a 12 to 134a kit from Autozone on a '88 Lesabre and it worked great. It came with two cans of R134a and a small bottle of lubricant. All fittings were included too!

I say its definitely worth a shot. I wouldn't bother replacing all your components -- its going to be a mucho amount of money to do. Just be sure your system is free of R12 before filling it up with 134a (thats what I've been told).

The 12 system filled with 134a actually did a nice job of cooling the cabin. I say go for it.
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Old 06-20-2004, 02:02 AM
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Here are a couple things to read before you change to 134a. There is way too much misinformation floating around on this subject.

http://www.ackits.com/forum/messagev...MSGDBTABLE=arc


http://www.autofrost.com/oil/index.html

http://www.autofrost.com/hotshot/index.html


http://www.aircondition.com/dsmobileac/


Did the compressor go bad or just a leak in the system?
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Old 06-20-2004, 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted by CFoote
I used a 12 to 134a kit from Autozone on a '88 Lesabre and it worked great. It came with two cans of R134a and a small bottle of lubricant. All fittings were included too!

I say its definitely worth a shot. I wouldn't bother replacing all your components -- its going to be a mucho amount of money to do. Just be sure your system is free of R12 before filling it up with 134a (thats what I've been told).

The 12 system filled with 134a actually did a nice job of cooling the cabin. I say go for it.
Thats pretty much all you need to know, its simple conversion... I have a bottle of R12 in my garage which is nice, but SHHH, Its not suppose to be legally distributed to consumers =)
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Old 06-20-2004, 04:13 AM
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There are varying levels of conversions... Some people simply drop the R-134a in with some Ester oil and go. GM has issued a TSB to cover this, and you should get your hands on it before you start...
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Old 06-20-2004, 12:22 PM
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I agree Don, but I feel the problem is that at what point do you say enough is enough....converting a A/C system to 134a is mucho bucks....I'm sure Bill could save on the labor doing it himself but its far from a easy job. At what point do you say "Forget it" and just try the conversion from a cost perspective.

Between the tranny he'll need and the a/c components, he could have a newer model Bonne (not that he wants that, but I'm just thinking strictly from a cost perspective).

I agree his car is too nice to do a hack job on, but there is also the $$$ side of things too

Chris
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Old 06-20-2004, 12:22 PM
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http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us29928.htm
http://www.delanet.com/~pparish/gm-rp.htm
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Old 06-22-2004, 12:03 AM
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Default Re: R12 to R134a Conversion

Do yourself a favor. Go to Wallmart and buy the system that they sell, roughly $34.99 to do your car. Take off the cap on the accumulator and pull the schrader valve in the fitting. Wait for it all to drain. Leave the schrader valve out and install the right fitting. Only 1 will fit. Hook up the provided hose and install the freon 134a and then the oil and then another can of the 134a. After it is all done keep the hose for other cars. You can go to auto zone and buy just the fitting that you will need for other GM cars $2.99. I purchased a case of 134a at sams club for $25.00 for 12 cans. I have succesfully done many cars since my first.
Best of luck you should have any problems..

Thanks,
Sellncars

Originally Posted by willwren
What'* the deal with this, what extra work, and how much does it cost? Who'* done this already? (93 was the last year for R12, which is VERY hard to find now).
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