Twisted

Last night I was trying to convince my wife that I was cursed, and that only bad things happened to me. Then, this morning, I took the GT into the shop to get the A/C fixed--so I thought. I walked in knowing next to nothing about A/C systems. I only knew that my system had R12, and that some folks convert theirs to R134. To make a long story short, my contact at the shop explained to me the following facts:

1. The shop does not carry R12...and neither do many others for that matter.
2. It would not make sense to fill my system with R12, and just hope it didn't leak...as R12 is very expensive.
3. It would make sense to convert the system to R134.
4. The conversion would cost me $450.

I don't have that kind of money so, as far as I was concerned, the A/C was not going to get fixed.

Then came home and looked up an A/C shop in the phone book--just hoping that maybe they could give me a better deal on the conversion. I went to the shop, the guy looked at my car, and told me immediately that my system had already been converted to R134. So, I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get the system recharged, and filled with dye. The system very well may leak, but at least I can afford to keep R134 in it long enough to repair the leaks. So now, I've sewn my two fingers crossed, as my son and I are dying in this Californina heat.

FiveLiterRiceEater

is he sure its been converted? there should be a sticker under the hood somewhere saying that the changes had been made. not everyone puts the sticker on though.

Twisted

Thanks for the reply. He is sure that it has the R134 fittings. Is there a chance that he could be wrong?

FiveLiterRiceEater

not really. 134 fittings are way different. 134 fittings are 2 different sizes, there should be a bigger one thats about 5/8s of an inch and a smaller thats about 1/2 inch or so. you got any pics? i can tell you for sure right now

94Cobrakid16

dude, i took mine to napa. cost 18 bucks for the can and it has stuff in it to stop leaks. i do know the napa guy tho thats why he did it free. but it took like 10 minutes.

Twisted

Unfortunaly, I can't take pics right now. I read on another forum that R12 fittings have the threads on the outside, and that R134 fitting have the threads on the inside. Is this true?

Really? How does your A/C work now? And more importantly, how long has it been working? I may go that route, if it is effective. Thanks for the info folks.

FiveLiterRiceEater

yeah thats true too. the 134 fittings are a quick release deal like on the end of an air hose for air tools. they'll have ***** on the top that you twist to depress the schrader valve and open the system.



and if you're going to charge it with pound cans, you need to know how much your system holds, and how to read the guages while charging. id tell you how, but i forgot. i havnt charged with pound cans in a long time.

Twisted

Thanks for the info, Fiveliter. I've created another post in order to get more info on charging the system myself. But yeah, my fittings have ***** on them that you can turn.

PRO50SC

Not to mention that converted cars only use 85% of the freon charge the 12 system originally held. If you are unsure about it, have a pro do it. The 134 is much much more sensitive to pressures than the 12 is and the slightest under or overcharge will make the system work incorrectly.

Bad Karma

The DIY kits are the way to go...you can do it easy Sir.

The most expensive kit that I've seen is sold through Napa..it's olike $45.

Yeah, your contact can do it "the right way" and replace your entire system, but that's not necessarily needed.

If your compressor and it's associated components are working, then go for the conversion kit.

YOu have nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Email me if you need detailed instructions on how to do it.

Take care and good luck,
Ivan