AC Advice

[robertc1024]

My '88 2.9's AC is totally dead - discharged and I'm looking for a little help. After reading some of Kurt's great posts I decided to finally tackle it. I'm doing a complete conversion to R134 - o-ring change out, new evaporator, new VOV tube etc. My compressor had the black goo all over behind the pulley. I first started looking for compressors, but how do I know if I've got "Factory" or "Dealer Installed" air? From the pictures of compressors on RockAuto, they don't look like mine. Both the suction and discharge lines exit from the top of the compressor towards the rear of the vehicle. Also, has anyone just done a seal kit on the compressor? Where do you get that?

- Thanks

 

[4x4junkie]

I'm pretty sure the factory compressor on your '88 is the FS-6, like here:



As for a "seal kit" for the compressor, I didn't have much luck on one. I'd just bite the bullet and get a new compressor for it. Who knows what the history is on the one you have now (plus new ones should be designed from the get-go to run on the newer freon).

I posted this thread as I was converting my '90 over to R134a, might be of some help.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Any R12 compressor will pump R134a. You can buy a conversion kit to go from R12 to R134a. All you're doing is adapting the newer fittings to the R12 fittings.

 

[4x4junkie]

Any R12 compressor will pump R134a. You can buy a conversion kit to go from R12 to R134a. All you're doing is adapting the newer fittings to the R12 fittings.

Provided it's already been used with R-12 (same for the hoses).
A compressor that was not designed for R-134a, and has not been previously broken in on R-12 can end up failing prematurely (something about the R-12 molecules leaves a film of metal chloride on the bearing surfaces that acts as an anti-wear agent).

There is also much more to the conversion than just "adapting fittings", you have to flush the entire system out to remove the R-12 mineral oil, as it is not compatible with R-134a and the PAG oil commonly used with it. Some vehicles will need a larger condenser as well, although my '90 BII did not.

 

[DJakaSmogCop]

Im converting my 92 Ranger XLT extended cab with factory air to R134. Im replacing the compressor, Accumulator, Orifice tube, and Main hose assy off the compressor, as well as all the seals. I intend to flush out the remaining lines, condensor and evaporator. Can anyone recommend a good procedure for flushing these out? How much PAG oil do I need to put back into the evap and condensor? And finally, Anyone have any idea of how much R134 should be put back in the system.

Thanks,

 

[robertc1024]

Thanks for the info. DJaka - you should probably look at this thread from a couple of weeks ago - lots of good info. http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54530