converting from r12 to r134a?

[broncobusterJOHN]

I had r12 in my stystem and have decided to convert it to r134a. I bought the fittings from walmart to install them. What do I need to do from here? (I'm new to this and I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars at a shop.) Thanks for the looking!

[Novajoe]

the fittings are just part of it. You have to replace the compressor and the orafice tube and THOROUGHLY clean the lines (I use break cleaner and compressed air). You can not mix r12 and 134 at all. You'll more than likely want to go with a compressor that comes with oil already in it rather than a used one or something like that.

Once you've got everything in and sealed up, you'll want to use a vaccume pump with an a/c gauge assembly to evacuate any air/moisture from the system and then administer the 134 until your pressure readings are where they should be on the guages.

I realise you probably don't want to pay a shop to do it, but the cost of buying the equipment to administer the refrigerant is probably on par with what you would pay in labor fees and such to have a shop do it anyway.

[mrecoolgar]

I've done several converts without cleansing the systems of the old freon.
Or replacing the compressor, lines or seals.

[RT22]

Definitely clean stuff pull vacuum and replace the dryer and orifice tube/valve

[longtooth]

Keep us informed on how this works out

[whomadewho]

Done several, just make sure the system is empty. You need to change the fittings on the low & high side and you are good to go. You can purchase a kit at most part stores. The compressor,oil and seals are fine. The only problem you are going to have is trying to find a shop to add freon. They tell you everything has to be changed,which is total BS. The only issue - you do not want to reclaim (mix) R12 & R134 in the reclaim machine.

[1991Hardbody]

I've been doing retro-fits on a/c systems since they came out with R-134a back in the 90's, and I've never had an issue with leaving the old components in place! The most important thing when converting to 134, is that you MUST make sure to put the system into a complete vacuum (30"Hg) to burn off the moisture and residue from the old r-12. I suggest finding a shop that won't charge too much to reclaim the R-12 from the system and suck it down into a vacuum. Install kits can be purchased at aftermarket suppliers. Most come with freon, sealer, and the install hose! Good luck in your efforts!