I just recently finished my TT swap in my Z, and as a result of changing to the TT A/C condenser my A/C doesn't blow cold anymore.
I need to recharge the system. The only problem is, you guessed it, R12 refrigerant. Does anybody here know any places in Orange County that can recharge me with R12? Or cost effectively convert my Z to R134?
I'd rather not convert the system as the swap pretty much broke my bank account, but I will if need be, in order to drive the Z during the summer.
AC Recharge in Socal
Re: AC Recharge in Socal
REcharghing with R12 if you could find it would break you..
Just go ahead and get the converison kit .. Visit ackits.com and their forum on how to convert..
It won't cost you that much compared to recharging with R12
Just go ahead and get the converison kit .. Visit ackits.com and their forum on how to convert..
It won't cost you that much compared to recharging with R12
Re: AC Recharge in Socal
Can you recommend a good A/C shop in the Orange County area? I'd really appreciate it.
Re: AC Recharge in Socal
No.. cause I'm in TX
Re: AC Recharge in Socal
Its a piece of cake to do the job, I just did my 5th conversion, third on a Z car. It costs about 47 to 55 dollars to buy the kit at O Ryley's or Pep Boys. You'll get some fittings, and about three to four large cans of r134 maybe a separate can of oil (not likely as its in the r134 now) and a combo gauge and hose. heres how its done.
1.place the low pressure hose connection on the shrader valve (looks like a tire valve) close to the front of the car and on the big hose, tighten securely, put the blue cap on this valve. This is the low pressure side, remember that!
2. place the other connector on the other shrader valve towards the back of the engine on the skinny aluminum tube, tighten securely and put the red cap on it. This is the hi pressure side, stay away from it.
3. If your kit has a separate oil charge (likely not) put that in first. Attach the oil charge can to the combo hose and gauge, attach the hose fitting, which is a pull back on the collar and push onto the valve. That would be your LOW pressure valve, remember, the one closer to the front of the engine with the blue cap.
4. Start the engine and turn on the AC and set it to its lowest setting of 60, fan on full. Go back round to the hose combo and squeeze the trigger to release the oil charge. As you release the oil the pressure will activate the compressor and you'll hear it turn on. Once the can is empty unscrew and toss away.
5.Likely your oil and 134 will be in a combined can and that can should go in first. Follow the directions as above and release the contents of the oil/135 into the system. Keep the can upright to dispense a gas, turn it upside down for a liquid. Liquid goes in faster, but gas is better, your choice.
6. Install a second can of R134, keeping an eye on the gauge. The instruction with mine said to fill until the needle gets into the middle of the blue area of the gauge, this is too much for the Z's system.
as I tripped the overflow reliefs valves. Fill with 134 until the needle just touches the blue range. Check your site glass and you should see a nice stream of milky fluid flowing pass. Check you vents, you should have a nice cold air flowing out. The whole process should take less then 30 minutes. Make sure you fill out the label that comes in the kit and a fix it in the engine compartment.
Now some will say that you should replace your receiver/dryer or moisture bottle, depending on where your from in the world, Still if you want to spend the 50 bucks go ahead and then follow the above instruction, but I have to say that I have not had any trouble either way.
Good luck
Tony
1.place the low pressure hose connection on the shrader valve (looks like a tire valve) close to the front of the car and on the big hose, tighten securely, put the blue cap on this valve. This is the low pressure side, remember that!
2. place the other connector on the other shrader valve towards the back of the engine on the skinny aluminum tube, tighten securely and put the red cap on it. This is the hi pressure side, stay away from it.
3. If your kit has a separate oil charge (likely not) put that in first. Attach the oil charge can to the combo hose and gauge, attach the hose fitting, which is a pull back on the collar and push onto the valve. That would be your LOW pressure valve, remember, the one closer to the front of the engine with the blue cap.
4. Start the engine and turn on the AC and set it to its lowest setting of 60, fan on full. Go back round to the hose combo and squeeze the trigger to release the oil charge. As you release the oil the pressure will activate the compressor and you'll hear it turn on. Once the can is empty unscrew and toss away.
5.Likely your oil and 134 will be in a combined can and that can should go in first. Follow the directions as above and release the contents of the oil/135 into the system. Keep the can upright to dispense a gas, turn it upside down for a liquid. Liquid goes in faster, but gas is better, your choice.
6. Install a second can of R134, keeping an eye on the gauge. The instruction with mine said to fill until the needle gets into the middle of the blue area of the gauge, this is too much for the Z's system.
as I tripped the overflow reliefs valves. Fill with 134 until the needle just touches the blue range. Check your site glass and you should see a nice stream of milky fluid flowing pass. Check you vents, you should have a nice cold air flowing out. The whole process should take less then 30 minutes. Make sure you fill out the label that comes in the kit and a fix it in the engine compartment.
Now some will say that you should replace your receiver/dryer or moisture bottle, depending on where your from in the world, Still if you want to spend the 50 bucks go ahead and then follow the above instruction, but I have to say that I have not had any trouble either way.
Good luck
Tony
-
Ace2cool
- Posts: 11650
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
- Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat - Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Re: AC Recharge in Socal
Just noticed that you said you refilled with R134a. These cars were originally designed for R12, and to my knowledge, it's illegal in the United States to mix R12 and R134a, after the EPA ban on R12. Not to mention, I was reading on a few other sites, and it seems pretty much everyone agrees that you'll have about a maximum of 5 years out of a compressor after you mix the two, since the oil in the R134a is broken down by the R12 refrigerant. (It may be the other way around, but the point is, they don't play nice together.) Have you had a prolonged experience with performing a recharge this way, with no problems with failing parts?