R134 conversion info needed

[techspy]

Well, last July I had my AC recharged and it worked great for the 2 weeks I drove it. I picked it up a month ago and went to use the AC and it is empty. So I am planning on going ahead and converting to R134. One place quoted me $400 which includes emptying the system and flushing it out and checking all the O rings and connections for leaks as well as all new fittings and recharging it. They said they could probably just loosen the hoses at the compressor to make the connection to the vacuum/charging machine and wouldn't have to actually remove the compressor etc. Does this sound like a reasonable price? Has anyone done this conversion themselves? I would rather dio it myself but I am not sure what equipment is needed to remove the old oil etc., and flush it. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone have any suggestions of a good shop to have this done in or close to Charlotte NC?

After a bit more research I am even more confused. I have read of people just going to an a/c service center and having all the old stuff vacuumed out, then just adding the 134 and oil themselves. Then I have read that you should remove the compressor to be sure to get all the oil out and even replace the dryer. Also I have read that you should replace all O rings too. I looked in my service manual and found nothing about the a/c system.

PS: I was hoping my 94 already had 134 as both are referred to in the shop manual but I believe 95 was the first year fior 134 correct?

Thanks
John
94 S4
http://hometown.aol.com/oneshotcop/myhomepage/profile.html

>>> Edited by techspy on Saturday 27th March 22:43

[incautious]

First off there should be a sticker either on the compressor or else where saying weather you have R12 or R134.If not look at the charging valves, the R12's look like a standard tire air valve, whereas the R134 has larger caps with INTERNAL threads. While a lot of shops SAY they can just add the newer oil and R134, in reality this makes for a very poor conversion, because of the higher pressures that R 134 operates at. A proper conversion would require a new pressure switch, and bigger condensor(And cooling fans) at the very least. If you have R12 you have 2 options. 1) continue to use R12. The stuff is still around and can be purchased for as little as $15-$20 a can on ebay(with certification, go to www.quik.com and take the test online)and even if you paid $50a pound retail it's still cheaper than the conversion. OR 2) there are several newer DROP INS that use the orginal 525 oil in you system, products like freeze 12 hot shot, cool top are actually blends of things like R22,R142,R134 with a tad of R600 which make it compatible with the 525 oil.(they sell for about $6) I have used some of these blends(some must be charged as a liquid others don't)and most don't require certification, and work very well in orginal R12 systems because they operate in the SAME pressure ranges that the R12 systems do. You can go to www.lenz.com for info on all these refigerants. Good luck.

[bojangles]

I did not see any test at quick.com....

[techspy]

Well, I went ahead and got my certification to buy R12 from the website www.imaca.org/condition.htm I will buy some R12 this week and recharge. If it leaks down before the summer is over, I will get a service station to recover all R12 from the system and then I will replace all O rings myself, then recharge. I encourage everyone to read the info in the study manual (its only 14 pages) as it dispells several myths such as it is illegal to recharge a leaking system. I have heard this from service stations that want to charge you for an expensive "leak repair" when it may only be a normal yearly amout of discharge.

John
94 S4
http://hometown.aol.com/oneshotcop/myhomepage/profile.html

[incautious]

Sorry it's www.qwik.com

This is what happens when you post when hung over.
But your right there is a lot of BS and misinformantion about freon. If you think you have a small leak, you can use a UV dye to search for one, or better yet get a TIF freon sniffer(works on most freons not just R-12).I've seen them on ebay for $30 and up. A bargin. Again sorry for the wrong web site.
They are a real company and the certification is real.