Air Conditioner Advice?

[JetspeedCamry]

I sure hope that a re-gas isn't $450!

[Z2TT]

Converting to R134 is about $50 more expensive than gassing with HR12

That makes it around $200 ?

[wagonist]

The gas itself may be only an extra $50, but the seals used in the R12 system won't hold the R134 gas, therefore they all need to be changed.
There are a lot of them, about $15 worth, but there is significant labour in getting them all changed. Gave a look at where the A/C pipes run through the egnine bay. Mostly you can't get at them unless you are a contortionist.
If you can do them yourself, it would save a significant part of that cost.

Maybe next time you get a price, before you hang up, actually find out what its for?

[oldcorollas]

i thought the difference is the oil used?
need to clean it all out and replace oil (and seals maybe) ?

[JetspeedCamry]

Maybe next time you get a price, before you hang up, actually find out what its for?

Oh i did yeah. Figure of speech when i said hang up . The cost was for retrofit of the seals, replacement of the compressor etc. Lots of work involved and far too much for what this car is worth, so if was going to cost that much i simply won't do it. Didn't realise this car (95 model) may not have had the new gas in it.

[wa5]

Pretty sure that R134A was phased in during 94 ... ED Falcons were equiped with it..

[Z2TT]

It was phased in as early as 1990 for some cars, some cars had it in 1990 while some in 1991, 92, etc.

[CrUZida]

The gas itself may be only an extra $50, but the seals used in the R12 system won't hold the R134 gas, therefore they all need to be changed.

Ba baw.

Seals are fine with both gasses.

The only thing they change (after fully evacuating the old gas) are the fittings, so that no one 'tops it up' with HR12 (even though its illegal to top up systems).


Its about $230-260 to regas with R134A.
$130 for the gassing incl labour
$80 for the dryer incl labour
$50 for the new fittings incl labour

Obviously if you are using HR12 that last cost is not needed.

[Z2TT]

Ba baw.

Seals are fine with both gasses.

The only thing they change (after fully evacuating the old gas) are the fittings, so that no one 'tops it up' with HR12 (even though its illegal to top up systems).


Its about $230-260 to regas with R134A.
$130 for the gassing incl labour
$80 for the dryer incl labour
$50 for the new fittings incl labour

Obviously if you are using HR12 that last cost is not needed.

While changing the fittings, they also change the seals, always a good idea to change 20 year old seals with new ones.

In a conversion, is a different compressor required?
As I see some compressors have "R12" labels on them, and some have "R134a" Labels.
I read in many websites that the compressor seals have to be compatible with R134a.
Also I read that after a conversion, some compressors cant handle the extra workload required when using R134a and fail.

Can the old Expansion valve be used or need to be replaced with one that works with R134a ?

[CrUZida]

The only thing that NEEDS to be changed are the fittings so that you can't regas it with non-R134A
Everything else works fine.

Sure, somethings aren't ideal, but they work.

EDIT:

And by 'fittings' I mean the high pressure and low pressure valves, nothing else.

[Z2TT]

So really these fittings aren't even necessary for the operation, but just required by law right?

I'd think the compressor seals should be changed, I mean there's a reason why there are 2 different model compressors on R12 and R134a systems.

Only thing so far I see that needs to be replaced for proper operation is the receiver drier with one that contains X-7 Desiccant.

Also wouldn't there be a problem with the high and low pressure cutout switches, because R134a operates at higher pressures? I read that some GM cars have adjustable switches.

[CrUZida]

Yes, fittings are only required by law.

Yes, the high/low cut out switches are not ideal (when using R12 switches with R134a), but high/low cutout really doesn't matter. Its the cars with a high pressure switch that turns on the thermofan (like MA70) where its annoying. But R134a only runs 20-30psi higher than the R12, so its not too bad.

Change the compressor seals if you like, but its about $500 I'd rather not spend.

[Z2TT]

Hi,

Couldn't you just buy a R134a Compressor, would that be the same price if not cheaper?
Problem is other than Toyota Genuine, I cant find any other sources for 1g-gte compressors.

[oldcorollas]

http://autoacrepairs.com/134aConversion.htm (yank site)

remove gas,
drain mineral oil
replace drier
install high pressure cut off switch to make compressor last longer
install above mentioned fittings (by law)
add NEW OIL toat suits the R134a
add gas
enjoy colds.....

some info here
http://phorums.com.au/archive/index.php/t-76145.html

depends how non-ideal you are prepared to accept (and how much you wanna spend)

[Z2TT]

Oldcorolla's, also the system needs to be evacuated. Some places will just remove and replace the gas, but when converting a vacuum pump needs to be used to suck all the old contents out.

For those who want to go cheap, bare minimum would be :

- Replace Drier
- Evacuate System
- Add New oil compatible with R134a