AC fixed, for anyone with old r12

[RT22]

do not get a shade tree mechanic to use freeze 12 CONVERT the system to 134 it is a 30 dollar kit. Guy over filled and blew the safety valve on the high pressure hose where it mounts to compressor. Thank GOD the compressor was not blown. Cost 150 bucks for hose with the valve(only way to get valve) then install and recharge with retro kit. 400 bucks. But hey i am chilling again but if you have not converted do so it is much cheaper and 134 is available at the auto zone and wal mart. the freeze 12 is hard to find and not worth the risk of do it yourself or back yard mechanic. NO SHOP will even do the freeze 12 on 134 so convert, lesson learned the hard way LOL

[moneymike]

i dont have my ac in mine hooked up right now but how would i go about converting it i took it to a shop and they didnt really know how to fix a problem i had with it. ever since i took my car to the shop the first time it never blows cold now or hot

[Saudade]

What does the guy overfilling it have to do with Freeze 12? If he overcharged it with R-134a, it still might have blown.

[RT22]

it is real easy to over fill r 12 cause you have to use the old screw on gauges to even fill, and unlike r134 that can be hooked in with a can from autozone that sprays until it is full. it takes a tech that knows what he is doing to fill r12, 134 can be topped off by anyone with a can from autozone. I have refilled and topped off at least 8 different cars for friends with NO problems. The AC guy even told me you have to know how to fill and read the gauges on r12, not a simple hook and shoot. You must allow system to pull it in and shut it down at certain pressures, as you do it. You just hook and shoot 134 and the over the counter stuff will quit filling once pressure equals out, almost impossible to over fill with the cans you get from autozone. it will not keep filling once it reaches the proper pressure. The cans from store are not under enough pressure to force more in once the proper pressure on the AC is reached. Like trying to blow a tire with a small air can versus blowing it with a compressor that can keep forcing in air even after the burst point of the tire.

[RT22]

Mike the kit is just o rings and the valves that screw onto old fill valves and are quick connect style not screw on like a valve stem on a car. To convert you need to replace with new style o rings that are 134 friendly. screw on the 2 new valves on the low and high pressure hoses so the new 134 adapters hook up. Then take it to a shop and let them pull a vacuum to purge system of all oils and contaminants before they recharge with new 134. OH and they can flush the system cause you always need to replace the dryer and expansion valve, on the d21 both are about 20-30 bucks.

[Saudade]

You need to do some more homework. R-134a systems are filled by weight not pressure. Pressure readings will vary with ambient air temps. Those Wallyword cans *may* be OK for topping off an exisiting R-134a system, but in the hands of someone incompetent, can still lead to failure or even injury.

[RT22]

Well the guy who did mine told me this and I will go with him until I see different. There is no way the cans at the auto place are that dangerous or they would not sell them. They would be sued into bankruptcy, I have never heard or read of anyone getting injured by topping off a 134 system with the cans from autozone. I never ever saw a do it yourself can of r12, they have to be done with gauges. Even topping it off. As mine was done, and over filled to the point it popped the pressure valve. All I know for sure is mine is working, and if I had it to do over I would convert first rather than waste time trying to stay on the old. NOT ONE shop in my town will even do freeze 12 they all will only do a conversion. So my point was convert, in the long run it is cheaper safer and works JUST FINE.

[danrgmc]

I can see there is a lot of mis-information out in the cybersphere! If a classic vehicle has a sight gauge you can easily fill with R12 cans without any problems whatsoever. These used to sell for as low as 99 cents at any parts store together with diy kits.
OldTimer