Conversion: R12 to R134A--your opinions and experience

[k3eax]

I need to convert my '93 and have noticed really inexpensive conversion kits for sale at Autozone. I would like to hear from other who have performed the conversion. Helpful hints would be appreciated.

Also my manifold guage for R12 will not connect to the high-side schraeder valve. I would like to buy an adapter. Do you know of a source for a single adapter rather than a complete adapter kit?

[skewe]

i bought a kit at wal mart and it had the adapter.

as for the conversion, i took it to the shop and they drained the r12 and put the 134 initially. now, i am putting the 134 myself for the 93 2.2.

[k3eax]

Thanks for your reply. I'm unsure of something in your message. Are you telling me that the Walmart kit came with and adapter for the high-side schraedeer valve that enabled you to attach your manifold guage? Or perhaps do you mean that the kit had R134A-type repalcement valves ?

Also, why are you now adding R134A? I should think that the conversion work would have left your system "tight", no leaks?

Thanks again

[Venom_5]

he means that now he can put r134a in now ... not that he has to top-off all the time

[BlueFusion6851]

I had mine professionally done, and the biggest thing I noticed was that it got colder a lot faster than with the r12.

[Isaac-1]

If everything was working right, R12 should have cooled better then R134A, this was a problem with cars built in the transision years (1990-1995) where the A/C system was designed around R12. Another problem is that R134a requires tighter seals than R12, some custom R12 systems on conversion vans, etc. used simple rubber hoses held onto fittings with hose clamps, you could never get away with that with R134A. In other words, be ware of leaks if you change to R134a, as O-ring fittings that were still good enough to seal R12 likely will not seal R134a.

Ike

[drunken_panda]

So I am thinking about doing this in my 93, what are the costs for doing it professionally versus doing it yourself. What is involved. I don't have any specialized tools or guages.