R12 or 134a ?????

DougInNJ · 07-07-2011, 01:34 PM

I have an '89 Ford Ranger. Hod can I tell if it has the original R12 or if it has been converted to 134a?
Thanks
DougInNJ

exbass94 · 07-07-2011, 01:38 PM

Usually when someone converts a vehicle to r134a, they put a sticker somewhere under the hood saying so. Usually it's on the radiator support. Also the service ports used for R-12 are a different size than R134a fittings. So if it has R134a, it should have adaptor fittings screwed on the service ports.

sblake01 · 07-07-2011, 01:39 PM

You might have to take it to an A/C shop that has a refrigerant identifier. If it was 'professionally' converted it would have R134a adapters on the high and low side ports and a tag somewhere under the hood.

EDIT: xbass94 types faster than I do

DougInNJ · 07-07-2011, 01:47 PM

Thank you for responding, I'll check it out.
Man its hot here 94*!

noahkenny · 07-07-2011, 01:59 PM

The service ports should be a dead give away if it has been converted. You can tell the difference just by looking at them. R12 fittings had threads on them where you screw on a set of gauges and the 134 fittings the gauges simply snap on to the service ports, no threads would be present on the externally. Only internally where the shrader vavle screws in. More than likely it had been converted. Been working on a/c systems for a long time and its been a few years since I actually seen a working r12 system. Not saying they arent still around but they are few and far between. I have an 89 model also that has converted about 10 years ago. If the hoses havent been changed to barrier lined (134a) hoses then you will lose 134a though the hoses as it permeates (goes through) the rubber. Really no big deal but it will lose somewhere in the neighbor hood of a can a year. Hopefully it has been converted. But even 134a prices have went up dramitcally over the last two years or so. Guarentee your evaporator coil will have a bunch of trash in it. Just remove the blower motor and the blower motor resistor and you can see up in there and dig that crap out. Then either blow it out or wash it out with water. Seeing that the truck is 22 years old cleaning the coil will help it dramitcally once you get the rest of the system in good working order. Not a bad idea to look between the condenser and the radiator to make sure its not packed up with a bunch of crap also over the years. Ever little bit help when it is this stinking hot.

DougInNJ · 07-07-2011, 03:34 PM

Thank you NoahKenny
I'll check it out

**4.0B2** · 07-07-2011, 03:53 PM

problem w/ that is-- it could be converted without leaving the adapters on the service ports. when i got that ranger i sold, it had r12 ports.. i checked it to see before i filled it and it was r134a in it. turns out the guy leaves the adapters w/ his gauges and doesn't leave them on the vehicles. his old 83 ford fullsize is the same way.

sad, but people do it. usually if its been converted, the ports are correct for the freon

Heavyfire14 · 07-07-2011, 04:46 PM

yea, i had an 89 that was converted. it had the r12 ports and no sticker... you never know unless you take it in

Heavyfire14 · 07-07-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougInNJ

Man its hot here 94*!

hahahahaha i drive with my windows down at 94, man your lucky. its been 110-115 here lately and gets over 120* F. sometimes. haha and im usually outside all day

noahkenny · 07-07-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.0B2

problem w/ that is-- it could be converted without leaving the adapters on the service ports. when i got that ranger i sold, it had r12 ports.. i checked it to see before i filled it and it was r134a in it. turns out the guy leaves the adapters w/ his gauges and doesn't leave them on the vehicles. his old 83 ford fullsize is the same way.

sad, but people do it. usually if its been converted, the ports are correct for the freon

I agree that does happen but if the conversion was done right it shouldnt be a problem. It takes someone stupid to take off the conversion fittings. A lot of them had loctite in them and would tear the threads off the orginal ports if you tried to remove them. Have run across it once or twice but as a whole its usually not a problem. The chances of a 22 year old truck still having r12 are pretty slim..

**4.0B2** · 07-07-2011, 05:19 PM

usually it would have leaked some by now, and needed freon. and surely people are converting it over instead of just refilling it w/ r12 (which is hard to find and stupid expensive)..

Heavyfire14 · 07-07-2011, 05:30 PM

haha hopefully your not in cali. they tax the crap outta stuff like this

07-07-2011, 01:34 PM	#1
DougInNJ New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	R12 or 134a ????? I have an '89 Ford Ranger. Hod can I tell if it has the original R12 or if it has been converted to 134a? Thanks DougInNJ
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07-07-2011, 01:38 PM	#2
exbass94 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Guilford, CT Year: 2006, 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger, Explorer Engine: 4.0 SOHC, 4.0 OHV Class: 4x4 Used For: Pavement Poundin' Posts: 3,076 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	Usually when someone converts a vehicle to r134a, they put a sticker somewhere under the hood saying so. Usually it's on the radiator support. Also the service ports used for R-12 are a different size than R134a fittings. So if it has R134a, it should have adaptor fittings screwed on the service ports. __________________ 2006 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 2-dr Extended Cab, 45k miles 1994 Ford Explorer Sport 2-dr 4x4, 178k miles
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07-07-2011, 01:39 PM	#3
sblake01 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Bernardino, CA. Year: 1990 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 2.9 Class: 2WD Used For: Daily Driver Posts: 218 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	You might have to take it to an A/C shop that has a refrigerant identifier. If it was 'professionally' converted it would have R134a adapters on the high and low side ports and a tag somewhere under the hood. EDIT: xbass94 types faster than I do __________________ 1990 Ranger XLT Supercab (Purchased December 3, 2009 - Sold July 29, 2012) Thanks for everything, TRS!
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07-07-2011, 01:47 PM	#4
DougInNJ New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Thank you for responding, I'll check it out. Man its hot here 94*!
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07-07-2011, 01:59 PM	#5
noahkenny Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cullman, Alabama Year: 1989 1995 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 2.3l Posts: 123 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	The service ports should be a dead give away if it has been converted. You can tell the difference just by looking at them. R12 fittings had threads on them where you screw on a set of gauges and the 134 fittings the gauges simply snap on to the service ports, no threads would be present on the externally. Only internally where the shrader vavle screws in. More than likely it had been converted. Been working on a/c systems for a long time and its been a few years since I actually seen a working r12 system. Not saying they arent still around but they are few and far between. I have an 89 model also that has converted about 10 years ago. If the hoses havent been changed to barrier lined (134a) hoses then you will lose 134a though the hoses as it permeates (goes through) the rubber. Really no big deal but it will lose somewhere in the neighbor hood of a can a year. Hopefully it has been converted. But even 134a prices have went up dramitcally over the last two years or so. Guarentee your evaporator coil will have a bunch of trash in it. Just remove the blower motor and the blower motor resistor and you can see up in there and dig that crap out. Then either blow it out or wash it out with water. Seeing that the truck is 22 years old cleaning the coil will help it dramitcally once you get the rest of the system in good working order. Not a bad idea to look between the condenser and the radiator to make sure its not packed up with a bunch of crap also over the years. Ever little bit help when it is this stinking hot. Last edited by noahkenny; 07-07-2011 at 02:04 PM.
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07-07-2011, 03:34 PM	#6
DougInNJ New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Thank you NoahKenny I'll check it out
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07-07-2011, 03:53 PM	#7
4.0B2 MALL CRAWLER POST WHORE! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Walls, MS Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 v6 Class: 4x4 Used For: Taking my Money Posts: 9,969 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (4)	problem w/ that is-- it could be converted without leaving the adapters on the service ports. when i got that ranger i sold, it had r12 ports.. i checked it to see before i filled it and it was r134a in it. turns out the guy leaves the adapters w/ his gauges and doesn't leave them on the vehicles. his old 83 ford fullsize is the same way. sad, but people do it. usually if its been converted, the ports are correct for the freon __________________ Daily Driver 88 BII Build Thread: Clicky! Backup Vehicle, 92 2wd Explorer: Clicky! The Collection of Fords: Clicky! http://southernrockracing.com/
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07-07-2011, 05:19 PM	#11
4.0B2 MALL CRAWLER POST WHORE! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Walls, MS Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 v6 Class: 4x4 Used For: Taking my Money Posts: 9,969 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (4)	usually it would have leaked some by now, and needed freon. and surely people are converting it over instead of just refilling it w/ r12 (which is hard to find and stupid expensive).. __________________ Daily Driver 88 BII Build Thread: Clicky! Backup Vehicle, 92 2wd Explorer: Clicky! The Collection of Fords: Clicky! http://southernrockracing.com/
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