Retrofitting AC systems is something that has been done for many years now. In 1996 systems were switched over to R134a from R12 refrigerant. R12 refrigerant…
Retrofitting AC systems is something that has been done for many years now. In 1996 systems were switched over to R134a from R12 refrigerant. R12 refrigerant…
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Something to be considered when servicing an AC system older than 1996ish. How
To Retrofit an AC System R-12 to R-134a -EricTheCarGuy
Eric, this is the first time I’ve ever really felt you didn’t do something
proper. Any reason you didn’t use line wrenches (flair nut wrenches)? Did
you evacuate the system before starting? I’m glad you replaced the dryer.
I’m also glad you showed there is more than just throwing on new fittings
and recharging the system with a can of stuff from the local parts store.
It would probably be a good idea to replace the expansion valve to one
that’s compatible with R134A as well.
My 1993 Volvo 240 has a factory R134a AC system that probably hasn’t worked
since the Clinton administration.
So i found a broken bathroom window and a schrader valve in my sink….
I’m wondering if there was a couple of ounces of R12 oil floating around in
the system somewhere. The 4 ounces could be for a completely empty
system. Maybe they assumed you did a flush first or something. I find it
interesting that a Honda bulletin and kit would mislead like that.
Why didn’t you clean the condenser?maybe the a/c would have worked better
But what to do if you have an R-12 system full of R-12 and working
perfectly? I think not all shops have R-12 recovery machines. I guess you
have to find a shop specializing in retrofitting?
This is a great video for anyone with a car or truck still using R12
refrigerant in their vehicle’s AC. You did warn people not to over-tighten
their AC fittings. That’s critical. AC lines are made from aluminum and
strip very easily, so that’s a possibility that everyone should be aware of
before they begin. You mentioned that vehicles made prior to 1996 were
likely to use R12 refrigerant in their air conditioners, but both of my
1994 vehicles (Toyota Corolla and Dodge Dakota) were factory equipped with
ACs that use R134a. There should be a sticker somewhere under the
hood–and probably in the owner’s manual–that lists the type or
refrigerant used. Keep up the good work!
As a parts specialist I was always having to help customers calculate the
correct amount of oil and the right type for their vehicles. One of the
biggest culprits of miscalculation was the small amount of oil that may
already be supplied in the refrigerant. That may be where you went wrong.
In a 24oz can I believe it already has about 4oz of oil in it. In this case
Honda and yourself may not have been wrong, it could’ve been the
refrigerant itself.
Another thing I’ve heard is that R134 is made up of larger molecules. This
means the condenser may need to be replaced with one slightly larger to
allow for greater expansion and better heat transfer. Whether that’s an
accurate statement is beyond me, but makes sense. It explains the
difference in the cooling capabilities of both refrigerants.
At any rate it’s a great video and I love watching this channel. Keep up
the good work. Looking forward to more m.
I feel it going in… lol
I’ve heard there are r12 substitutes you can use these days.
Is automotive a/c more complicated than home a/c?
I converted my mom’s suburban to R-134a and it wasn’t even close to be as
powerful as the R12.
I Bought some old R12 from some hillbilly for my 92 Camaro.
Awesome video.
But I can’t believe it. I paid over 500 bucks for this job a few years ago.
And all they did was install a few new valves…?
Why can’t you just fill an R12 system with R134a using R12 gauges? Why does
the gauge set need to be different?
Pour oil into the dryer directly?
you can buy nos r12 on EBAY
i love how the gauge calls you a retard when the system is at 350 psi
I would take the compressor off the vehicle and get all the oil out of it,
then pour the new oil in the compressor, then hook the lines up and turn
the compressor by hand for a couple of minutes. That has always worked well
for me when retro fitting from R12 to 134A and usually can gat the
recommended amount of oil in the system. I would have also changed the
orifice tube, they are cheap and not that difficult.
I just used R413A. It doesn’t require different oil.
I didn’t fill it myself but the shop that did it did not install any
different fittings.
It was an 15 minute job and the AC was good to go.
basically my 89 Silverado A/C system just was not worth fixing. Compressor
Issues up the nose. ended up having what R12 was left in the system
(recovered) and then I took out all the A/C stuff except the A/C
Compressor and use it to air up my 8 gallon tank on my truck. lol.
Wow… Lot of haters in the comments today…
hey, I think that can was way more than 120cc. 120cc is about 8 tablespoons:
https://www.google.com/search?q=120cc+in+tablespoons
Its nice to know even professional mechanics also run into problems
sometimes.
90 degrees? Well this wasn’t filmed recently lol.
Maybe we should hold off on that video until June or July of next year
Another screw up
Perfect timing with this video, Eric. I have a 1985 Chevy Blazer and a
1994 Camaro both with R12 systems, and neither of them work. Thank you for
sharing this.
Cool! You are gonna get some cold air out of the vents during the breezing
Ohio nights:-)
Hey you had a go 😀
We now know the reason for failure and learnt :-))
Poor compressor. First it got slugged with straight liquid r-134a then got
slugged with straight oil. That compressor has pistons. It’s like
hydro-locking a motor. The reed valves are probably damaged now.
Sorry but if my mechanic used any sort of hobby glue/gunk to bodge
something on my car, I would give it him back to fix it properly,
regardless of its age.
can u do an AC install video for a car that does not have AC?
I have a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, and it does not have AC.!!!!!
I had found a cool Mercedes CL 500 coupe; it seemed to be really well
maintained, the owner had a valuation done at 19500 Euros, and wanted to
sell it for 15000 — but I didn’t bother checking it out because I got
scared away by the fact that the only thing not working was the aircon
compressor – do you have a ballpark number on what exchanging/fixing that
would cost for an older S class? I thought the advise is usually to stay
clear from cars with a dead aircon, but I really just had no idea whether
I’d regret the bargain… are we talking hundreds or thousands? :)
Why bother with that broken fitting when you have normal gauges.
if you change the condenser to one designed for 134a it will work a lot
better.
If I owned a old car like this then hell yah id try to diy this. My newer
Hyundai requires that you measure the amount of refrigerant being pumped in
from a drained system. Also they state that you should measure the amount
of oil per unit being replaced. Each item in the ac system takes a certain
amount of oil. Just for you guys out there if you are out by one ounce of
refrigerant for the total you can cause damage to ac parts. That’s why he
took it to the guy with the 10 thousand dollar ac machine. This machine
drains charges and adds the oil to the exact amounts. We have one of this
machines in the truck yard were I work. A little tip. get it drained by
this machine. Take it home do your work on the ac… change parts whatever
then take it back and pay to have it recharged with this machine. Buy that
vacuum machine that eric used to test for the pressure to hold so you can
confirm your repair. These machines cost 100 bucks. A set of gauges cost 60
bucks. But as for charging unless you can scale the weight of each can the
amount of ounces that is put in don’t even try this at home. Thanks
for sharing this video…..
Enviro-Safe one 6oz can = 18oz of R-12
Works great in R134a systems as well 1 can =16oz R134a
Warning for educational purpose only. This is not a legal refrigerant in
the US.
Buy it by the case on amazon. Thank me later. OH its a bit more flammable
than r134 so fix your leaks first.
Good video eric thanks
There’s nothing worse than a crusty Schrader, right Walter? ;-)
Stick to Hoppy Aimers and your HID lights in halogen housings ya goof!
I loved how cold the AC was when I had my 91 240SX, it never leaked so I
never had a reason to retrofit and it was ice cold every time I needed to
use it. Unfortunately, that reliable old car is no longer with me.
A HVAC tech added 1.5 cans to an old Accord I had and charged me $50 a can
for the R-12.($100).
R-12 is still widely available in Mexico at around US$13 per 1lb can.
i love this video because it shows that its OK to make mistakes and that
you dont know everyting