Recharging A/C!!!

[Phat_Si]

How much will it cost to recharge the a/c in my 89 si??? Is it possible to be done by me??? thx

[RedRacerCivic]

I went to Mexico and bought some Dupont R12 freon, its like 30 bucks for a huge bottle and I recharged my a/c system by myself not knowing too much about a/c systems..

[crxlvr]

convert the system to R-134A its very easy to do and will only take about 15min to accomplish, i did it myself. i bought a kit from my local parts store www.autobarn.com and it couldnt be easier, plus the 134 is colder then the r12, so its a plus also.

[FourthGenHatch]

How much for the kit? I thought you had to go to special places to have this done though. What equipment do you need to do it?

[Phat_Si]

Well I wasn't going to Mexico anytime soon...
Where else can I find that stuff and how do I put it in??? I know nothing about a/c systems! let me know

[RedRacerCivic]

from what i've heard, R134-a is NOT colder than R12, they just say that so you will buy ozone-safe freon.

[Phat_Si]

well i don't have the money right now to change the system so I'll stick to the stock system. Where can I get the recharge stuff, and how do I put it in the car??? once it's in the a/c will blow cold right? thx for the help!

[sastanley]

R134-a is NOT as efficient a coolant as R-12. And from what I hear, you can't simply convert your R-12 system over. To do it correctly, you need to replace a few parts...like the Dryer (that is the part that condensates and drips I think) and one other part to do it safely. My R-12 system is on its last legs.

How is your home conversion holding up Scott? I am afraid of potentially frying my A/C system without more research.

[RedRacerCivic]

Originally posted by Phat_Si
once it's in the a/c will blow cold right? thx for the help!

Yes, as the freon is entering the system on the low side while having your car on and a/c turned on, you will start to feel coldness blowing out your a/c vents.

[jc836]

Unless you are out of country-you will find R-12 available ONLY at licensed AC shops. The going price here is well over $40 per pound. If you do not have the gauge set and other goodies-take it to a pro. The conversion is a reasonable alternate, but not cheap either.

[TonyMontanaIX]

to convert you have to replace ALL of the o rings the system, and you need to suck all the air and moisture out of he system too with a vacuum that ac repair shops have,

r-12 can only be bought by a licensed mechanic or ac/repair shop, and its 30 bucks a pound, atleast here in orlando it is

[Melt]

the freon is $60!! here in Napa. I tried buying some on ebay but you have to show credientals to do even that. Plus the R-13 Conversion kit is expensive as a mother fucker, and the R-12 is cooler but the R-13 is more enviornmentally friendly.

EPA can eat a dick:finger4:

[crxlvr]

well unless u r liscened to have R12 you cant buy it anywhere "legally" in north america. i got my r-134a at an auto barn(local store) for $35, plus leak dectector and ring oil sealent($10/both). i installed this in my car over 2 years ago, and its still blowing real brick in my car, much colder than my r12 was.

sorry ozone, but i leaked out whatever r12 i had left in the system(not much), and just put the new stuff in, with the included hoses and fittings in the kit.

[Melt]

so you just dropped the r13a in there without converting it?

[crxlvr]

well what i did was, blow out the old stuff(just like an air inlet on tires) then placed the new fitting over the r12 fittings, ran one 12oz can of r134a in, then the sealant, then the oil seal, then the other can of freon, and it worked fine.

there is no need to change the compressor or anything like that, the shop prolly just wanted more money, for a part they most likely wouldnt have even changed to begin with.