i know it's like the millionth thread.... buuuuut

[baxtej44]

88 ranger xlt 4x4


a/c isn't really cold. i want it to be!


heat is great.



can i just pick up one of those cans at the auto store? what do i do? how do i do it?


edit:
forgot to add, it doesn't take long to get cool, but like i said, it could never be called cold.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

no you can't get a can at the store. you need a license to buy and use R-12.

does the compressor cycle and how often? are the fins of the condenser in good condition and clean? cooling fan working good? is it cold when the truck is moving?

with the age of the truck i would not doubt its low on refrigerant. you can take it to a shop and get the leaks fixed and have R-12 added, or you can get the system retrofitted to use R-134a.

 

[baxtej44]

no you can't get a can at the store. you need a license to buy and use R-12.

does the compressor cycle and how often? are the fins of the condenser in good condition and clean? cooling fan working good? is it cold when the truck is moving?

with the age of the truck i would not doubt its low on refrigerant. you can take it to a shop and get the leaks fixed and have R-12 added, or you can get the system retrofitted to use R-134a.

sorry, i'm not up to par at all with auto terminology and what not. i'm still learning

how can i check to see if the compressor is cycling? and i know it may seem easy to all of you, but which one is the compressor? i don't want to get it confused.

and by cooling fan you mean my fan right in front of the motor? yes that works

the enging does not overheat. radiator fluid is good.

are the fins for the condensor located right at the very front of my engine compartment? i can see them through my grill.

the a/c isn't cold at idle or while driving.



very rough estimates on looking for leaks adding r-12? what about retrofitting to fit r-134?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

find the belt routing diagram under the hood somewhere, that will tell you where the A/C compressor is. you need to see if it turns on, you'll hear it click and see the center hub start turning.

 

[baxtej44]

find the belt routing diagram under the hood somewhere, that will tell you where the A/C compressor is. you need to see if it turns on, you'll hear it click and see the center hub start turning.

it turns on. pretty frequently. which makes me think that i am low on freon because it shouldn't have to turn on every 5 seconds or so. until i get this fixed, i wont run my a/c because i don't want to kill it by having it cycle so often

 

[baxtej44]

okay well, i think it's kind of time that i want to get this finished up.


do i really need to get a thermometer and see really how not cold my air is? you can call it cooler than hot summer air in nebraska, but you couldn't call it cold, even if it was blowing on you in the middle of a volcano or something. it's not anywhere near cold in other terms.

my compressor cycles on and off frequently.
it's an 88, so obviously r-12, do i call shops and find out how much an r-12 job would cost me? or do i call them to ask about retrofitting to r-134? or do i try doing it at home? (i have basically no automotive experience)

i've heard that r-12 can be way colder, but i'm not sure if it'd be worth it to keep with r-12. i don't care much either way, but i just want a cold a/c. and i don't want it to cost me an arm and a leg. but i want to do it, or have it done, right. i guess i kinda just want some options. i see these retrofit kits at the auto parts store, but it's like they are so cheap that something can't be right.

 

[disciplerocks]

Take it to a shop and have them refill the r-12 or retrofit it. You should be licensed to do either.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Are you still allowed to use r-12 in the states?

In Canada we cannot use it anymore, nor buy it. The only option here is to convert to R-134A.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

the retrofit consists of changing the fittings on the high and low side pressure ports. you will need a shop to evacuate and recover the r12 in the system (since its not already empty) and then you can do the retrofit and fill with the proper amount of compressor oil and r134a. im not sure if you need to change the accumulator and oriface tube when doing the switch, but it may be recommended. my a/c book shows that when completely evacuated your system will hold 40oz. of r12 and 10oz. of parafin oil but im not sure if those measurements stay the same after the retrofit takes place since you will be using a different refrigerant and oil (PAG46 or Ester oil).

 

[baxtej44]

Are you still allowed to use r-12 in the states?

In Canada we cannot use it anymore, nor buy it. The only option here is to convert to R-134A.

we can use it, however the mining (or however they get it) is outlawed, so the only way we can get our hands on it (and not we, you have to have a license to get it) is by using recycled r12...

 

[baxtej44]

got my system retrofitted and charged for $124 yesterday. works great, it's not ice cold like some brand new vehicles, but it's comfortable enough to be able to use the A/C and that's all I can ask for... glad I did it.

 

[disciplerocks]

Good to hear

 

[Twister]

Hey baxtej44, when they retrofitted it did they convert it to r-134. I live in Omaha as well and i cant stand driving my car with no a/c. I would like to get it fixed but know of no places to take it. Where did you take it to get fixed?