VigCS

I need AC! it's broken in my stang...

I don't know if I should try to fix the leak and use this freeze 12 stuff or convert to r134a and use that. Suggestions?

Thanks!

sgt_pepper17

I believe 12 works better, but 134 is cheaper.

r.barn

you can get your R-12 fixed, it just cost more to get it worked on.

R-134 will be cheaper to maintain in the future but cost alot to convert
and R-134 doesnt cool as much.

or try the Freeze 12 stuff, supposedly it works.

Hawk

I used the R134a kit that you can get at walmart for around $30 and used that to not only charge my system, but convert from R12. (Has been working fine since.)

Twisted

What was involved in installing the kit? Was it easy? I just found out that it will cost $450 to have my system converted and charged. Will the kit address the problem of potential leaks in the system? Thanks Hawk.

Hawk

I will be honest, my dad is a mechanic and had a full set of gauges to keep on eye on the pressure. But the kit did work. I just bought the kit, bled off all remaining freon, and then followed the directions step by step. The only step I didn't follow involved charging the system with the r134a freon. Basically I believe the kit came with a can of oil, and 2 cans of r134a freon. The instructions wanted me to use up both cans of r134a, but when my dad had the gauges on the system, he had me stop after 1 can. The reason being he said the pressures were getting to high and would probably blow the system. Other than that though, it was smooth sailing. I know that the consensus and general automotive world says that to convert from r12 to r134a, the individual must replace the dryer, condenser, etc. However, I was in the same boat as you, my old system was failing, so I had nothing to lose if the $30 fix didn't work. I might have just been lucky, but I have had no problems and the car has blown cool. Worth a shot.

Good luck.

fordboyyfm

Yeah just buy the kit, its cheap. do you know what it is thats leaking. i know the kits we use at work come with a whole bunch of new orings, so if thats the problem youve fixed it. also be sure to replace the orfice tube. they always get all clogged up and can hurt things. Hawk that may have been your problem with too much pressure if you didnt change it, dont know how big of a can you were using, but the ones im thinking of arent too big and you would have needed two.

ZachW04Stang

I had the r134 swap kit, the r134 refridgerant leaked out of every seal after the swap. Its way to thin to put in an old ac system designed for r12. It might work, it might not.

Twisted

I just found out that my car has already been converted to R134! See my other post for the drama. At any rate, how difficult is it to replace every seal that might leak--as a worst-case-scenario? Also, is it true that, even if tightly sealed, R134 systems must be recharged every two years or so? Thanks for the info, fellas.

PRO50SC

Use the freeze 12, it will work just like the r-12. You'll be very happy. I've used it in cars for several years now w/o any problems.