R134a AC Conversion

[art1029]

I have a 1993 with a factory R12 AC system. Looking to update to a R134a. What parts are needed for me to switch out?

 

[Uncle Gump]

There was a thread just posted here a few days ago that covered this subject... let me see if I can search it out. It has all the answers you need.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Try here... there are also Tech Library articles to look over

'85 Factory AC System -- How to Repair

A point to keep in mind...R12 systems made use of flexible hoses that were designed for r12 use, a 134a system makes use of hoses that are designed for 134a. 134a hoses will have a plastic liner inside to prevent the refrigerant from escaping (seeping) thru the hose body, R12 hoses were not...

www.therangerstation.com

I also moved your post to the Heating and A/C forum

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I did the swap on my '93...new compressor and accumulator/orifice tube...I put in 36 oz and it worked great.

Read the info you will find here and other forums, they all helped me along the way.

 

[art1029]

Try here... there are also Tech Library articles to look over

'85 Factory AC System -- How to Repair

A point to keep in mind...R12 systems made use of flexible hoses that were designed for r12 use, a 134a system makes use of hoses that are designed for 134a. 134a hoses will have a plastic liner inside to prevent the refrigerant from escaping (seeping) thru the hose body, R12 hoses were not...

www.therangerstation.com

I also moved your post to the Heating and A/C forum

@Uncle Gump Thanks for this. I will read it over.

 

[franklin2]

You don't need to change anything, just buy the conversion kit. It will come with the conversion fittings. Pull the old r12 out and put a vacuum on it for a hour or so, and then put the conversion kit gas/oil mix in it. Done.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I changed my compressor because it was bad, otherwise You really dont need to replace anything (unless its bad).

I would put in a new accumulator/orifice tube regardless.

Franklins procedure is pretty much what I did.

 

[4x4junkie]

Changing the compressor & hoses and flushing out the other parts of the system will allow you to switch to PAG-46 lubricating oil, which I understand is better than the ester conversion oil needed with a compressor already having been used with R-12 (plus these things are a minimum of 26 years old now, the comp seals are probably near, if not already at, their EoL as well).

Changing the orifice is part of standard procedure any time the system is opened (same for the accumulator/drier if the system has suffered a complete loss of refrigerant, has been open to the atmosphere for any length of time, or if changing from R-12 to R-134a).

I did this conversion on my '90 back in 2008 using a new (not reman) Visteon compressor and documented what I replaced here:

R-134A retrofit

So I've decided I'm going to fix the A/C on my '90 BII rather than yank it all out (was just reminded that driving through California's central valley in smoky 105° weather (from the fires) isn't exactly pleasant lol). I've done a bit of reading on this, looks like I'll need at minimum a...

www.therangerstation.com

The compressor was a bit $$$, but 12 years later I feel it was more than well worth the cost.