Cascade Crew

MrMike98 · Member Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 231 Location: Bremerton

OK my stock AC has been slowly getting hotter and now just cycles on off.
The ac system has never been apart or serviced.

What is the right way to convert to R134??

What is the least $$$ way to convert??

Can I still use R12 if i can find some??

thanks

Al Hasse · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

Mobile Radio by Auto Center Way does A/C service, including R12. They can also do a conversion, I had them do it for me when my compressor siezed. Pricey, but it included the price of the compressor. Give them a call 377-0769.

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

When I did mine I replaced all of the o-rings, pressure switches and orifice tube. All of those parts are pretty cheap. I don't think replacing the switches is required but it makes the system more efficient than if it cycled the same as it did with r12. You can still get r12 if you're determined to.

chevymad · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject:

The accumulator should be changed. It may contain a dessicant that is not R134 compatible. All the oil in the system should be changed. Compressor drained then filled with 4oz of Ester oil, new accumulator gets another 4oz of the oil. For optimum cooling change the orifice tube to either a r134 specific or variable orifice tube. The variable orifice will give you better cooling idling in traffic. Also for optimal change the low pressure cycling switch to an r134 specific switch.

Old hoses that have been run before can be re-used, the old oil conditions the inside rubber so that it will hold r134. NOS hoses will leak r134. Any O-rings that you do not disturb can be left in place due to the same principle.

After you have everything changed over apply a vacuum to the system for a good 45min to remove all air and moisture.. then charge and enjoy ice cold ac. Smile

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:13 am Post subject:

Nos hose?

chevymad · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:25 am Post subject:

Referring to a new but old hose meant for R12. New hoses bought at a parts store should be r134 compatible. But a new original hose won't be.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:33 am Post subject:

hmm maybe that's where my leak in the mazda is. I haven't been able to track it down. It's still got original hoses.

Damn those are going to be expensive if I can get them. Haven't heard of anyone else having the trouble with the old hoses though.

Whiskeychick · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:09 am Post subject:

What about that duracool stuff?
Can get it at walmart etc, its compatible with R12 and is supposed to work really well. Its only 89 bucks for the complete kit.

Just have to do some math to figure out how much to put in.

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:54 am Post subject:

I've heard that the Duracool is not recoverable if you need to service your system. It's a blend of refrigerants. Unlike R-12 and R-134a which you can recover and put back into the system after service, you'll have to put new stuff in every time after service.

MrMike98 · Member Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 231 Location: Bremerton

I like the looks of the duracool.
so for it to woork in my stock r-12 ac system i need to:

1) have a qualified person evacuate my system and install the R-134 adapters on hi and low side......

2)draw a vacumm and leak check

3) charge system using duracool instructions..
BUT
it appears if u read the "fine" print that i can just charge my current system with duracool and i am done??? i see a problem here-duracool has r134 style cans so i would need a r-12 to r134 type of adapter etc..
so maybe not a good idea.

thanks

chevymad · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:00 pm Post subject:

Your professional ac people will HATE you. Unless they have their own specific fittings you can end up with a mixed fluid.. which will end up mixing in their recovery machine and ruining the whole 30lb bottle on the machine.

The R134 conversion works great, and after its done you'll be able to get fluid for it anywhere.

BluFbdy · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:14 pm Post subject:

DO NOT use duracool. Not only will the service people hate you they will ream your wallet for it. It does not turn out well when they evacuate the system with that blend crap in there, we lost one of our machines in college cuz of it in big bold print it says do not recover blended refrigerants and one kid forgot to mention he used duracool regularly.

Just go get it done profesionally, you will lose your mind trying to do it yourself, not only that but youll need the pump to pull a vaccum which ive never seen used for anything but ac..... so kind of a waste of money there

Mobile radio can handle it no problem