1987 Ford Escort Wagon A/C...

[introspectiion]

I'm wondering, do the 1987 escorts use freon? If so, is it possible to get it re-charged, or to re-charge it myself? My A/C is pathetically not cold. It's fine for now to roll the window's down, but once summer hits, all I'll be doing is getting hit with a blast of air from hell.
Thanks.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by introspectiion

I'm wondering, do the 1987 escorts use freon? If so, is it possible to get it re-charged, or to re-charge it myself? My A/C is pathetically not cold. It's fine for now to roll the window's down, but once summer hits, all I'll be doing is getting hit with a blast of air from hell.
Thanks.

The older Escorts use R12 freon, newer models use 134A.
There are so many regulations and restrictions on Freon R12 it is prohibitive. You have to be a licenced Technican to even buy it, and then it comes in a 25lb. container at $10-15 a lb.
I have a 1988 GT which I converted to 134A a couple of years ago. You can buy a conversion kit at NAPA, Advance, or any of the AutoParts, including Wal-Mart for about $30. One pound cans of 134A run $4-6
The conversion kit also contains compressor oil which must be changed to use the 134A. The receiver-drier should also be replaced.
It will also be necessary to have a method of pulling a vacuum on the system to leak check, and remove moisture before re-charging the system. I was one of the many that believed the stories that R134A was not as good as R12, and wouldn't get as cold. My system pulls down to 42F duct temp.