A/C conversion

Hi all,
I want to convert my A/C to R-134 but am unsure of the procedure. I am going to buy a conversion kit this afternoon and rent the pump to pump down the system. Can someone tell me just what I have to do to convert my system? Do I have to do something with the oil? do I have to change hoses or other parts that do not come with the kit? can someone direct me to where the parts are (on the car) I need to change for the conversion?

Thanks for the help.

Greg

I converted my 1990 Escort to 134 with a kit I bought from Wal-Mart for about $34.00. It has been working great for 2 years now. Since I already lost the R12 that was in the system, all I had to do was charged the system with two cans of oil/freon. It sealed my system and converted it to 134. The kit comes with valves to convert your original schrader valves, three cans of oil/freon, a hose with a guage and instructions. They even tell you how to located the low side or suction side of the system so you know where to hook up to charge the system. Good Luck!

Make sure to not overcharge the system, the system will only use 85% of the R-12 charge. If you put too much in then it will not cool properly. Also if you have R-12 still in your system it is illegal to vent it into the air. You may have to take it somewhere that does AC work to get it pulled out to stay legal. Other than that the job is relatively easy.

Any advice on draining the old R-12 oil? Do I have to take out the compressor to drain it? For that matter, do I have to take it out to change the o-rings?

The kit I got at Wal-Mart did not require me to drain any oil from the system or remove the compressor or the "O" rings. The oil in the cans that came with the kit are designed to mix with the existing oil already in your system. It is important that you follow the instructions that come with the conversion kit as to how you should charge the system. As I recall, and its been about 2 years so my memory is a little foggy, you are instructed to hold the cans upside down, unlike just putting in freon where the cans are held straight up. They go in pretty quick. As I said in a previous post, it worked well for me since I lost all my R12 already. My system doesn't lose freon any more. They have sealant built into the oil which helps expand the "O" rings and seals. Apparently, my leak was not that bad.
Any advice on draining the old R-12 oil? Do I have to take out the compressor to drain it? For that matter, do I have to take it out to change the o-rings?