AC r-12
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
AC r-12
ok i know our ac has R-12 in it but mine just seem to be gone now and its not good especially down in reno its friken hot lol anyways is it safe to put in 134a in our ac system? because r-12 is hard to find and way too expensive i think its like $25 for one can now i dunno but anyways is it fine to use 134a? thx
1990 Legacy Sedan LS AWD 5-MT 162k miles Slate Metallic (Sold to Brother)
1992 Legacy SS AWD 5-MT 180k miles Mica Black
1992 Legacy SS AWD 5-MT 180k miles Mica Black
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- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 2574
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do a search. Josh, aka Legacy777 did a write up on exactly how you do the conversion. It is not to hard and should run around $100 inclduing parts...
1974 Porsche 914 Cam Am Limted Edition AKA the Bumble Bee
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
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- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 6000
- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:06 pm
- Location: Tampa, FL
You can't just immediately put the R134 into the system without doing anything else.
Here's the absolute minimum of what you need to do:
1) Remove the compressor, drain all the old oil out of it, then put esther oil in it, which is compatible with R134
2) Since you've now opened up the system, you need to put a new receiver/drier in it
3) You need R134 fittings to go over the R12 ones
4) You need to pull a vacuum on the system and then recharge it with R134
I started this conversion almost a year ago, and would you believe, I never got around to getting the vacuum pulled or charged, so I've gone over a year with no A/C in my Legacy (in FL!!!
). Pretty soon though, I'm just gonna let someone else redo it, coz it's getting hot and I don't feel like messing with it anymore.
Here's the absolute minimum of what you need to do:
1) Remove the compressor, drain all the old oil out of it, then put esther oil in it, which is compatible with R134
2) Since you've now opened up the system, you need to put a new receiver/drier in it
3) You need R134 fittings to go over the R12 ones
4) You need to pull a vacuum on the system and then recharge it with R134
I started this conversion almost a year ago, and would you believe, I never got around to getting the vacuum pulled or charged, so I've gone over a year with no A/C in my Legacy (in FL!!!

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- Vikash
- Posts: 12517
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If you want to be ghetto about it you could just discharge the R-12 and fill it up with R-134a and ester oil. It might work okay temporarily, and if you're lucky it might work semi-long-term.
To do it right, though, you need to:
- Get as much mineral oil out as possible
- Replace the receiver/dryer
- Replace the o-rings
- Evacuate the system
- Install the proper fittings or fitting adapters
To do it right, though, you need to:
- Get as much mineral oil out as possible
- Replace the receiver/dryer
- Replace the o-rings
- Evacuate the system
- Install the proper fittings or fitting adapters
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
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- First Gear
- Posts: 132
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You have to have it evacuated of everything though, even if there is a little left in there (there is) it will react with the new r-134a and also air. It is better to just get it done IMHO, its not that much more, and you can complain to the installer if it leaks out in the near future.
Ben
91 Celica All-Trac @ 0 psi (turbo being installed)
92 Celica Turbo FWD (swap) @ 12 psi HOLY CRAP!!! I miss AWD
91 Celica All-Trac @ 0 psi (turbo being installed)
92 Celica Turbo FWD (swap) @ 12 psi HOLY CRAP!!! I miss AWD
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- Vikash
- Posts: 12517
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
- Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
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The main purposes of evacuating are threefold:
1) Get all the air out, since it occupies space that could otherwise be occupied by refrigerant.
2) Boil off all the water.
3) Ensure that there aren't any leaks by observing if the system holds a vacuum.
1) Get all the air out, since it occupies space that could otherwise be occupied by refrigerant.
2) Boil off all the water.
3) Ensure that there aren't any leaks by observing if the system holds a vacuum.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212