Before 1995 most vehicles came with R12 refrigerant in the air-conditioning system. If your air conditioning is no longer cooling as well as it once did, then chances are you need to recharge the refrigerant in the system. ... Instead you can convert an R12 system to an R134a system with a few parts and some basic tools.
Can I replace R12 with R134a?
R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn't cool as well as R12. ... The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant.
How much does it cost to convert R12 to r134?
It will generally cost you about $200 to have a mechanic convert an AC system for you. If you want to replace a vehicle's AC system, it will cost between $1,500 and $4,000 with an average cost of $2,750. If you decide to have a professional work on your car, you will have several options for where to get the work done.
How do I change my car AC from R12 to 134a?
- Discard any R12 refrigerant still in the system by taking your vehicle to a licensed air-conditioning professional. ...
- Open the engine compartment of your vehicle. ...
- Push the high side retrofit R134a fitting over the old fitting and use a wrench to tighten it.
What happens if you put R134a in a R12 system?
R134a systems work at higher discharge-side pressures than R12 systems , which could lead to compressor seals leaks. Additionally, since R134a is composed of much smaller molecules, it has a greater chance of leaking from an R12 system.
Can you still recharge R12?
No you can not recharge an AC system equipped with R-12 unless you are a licensed technician . You can convert your AC system to R-134 yourself, once the R-12 is dealt with correctly.
How do you tell if you have R12 or 134a?
To tell if it has been converted you can look for a sticker on the unit under the hood, which would indicate that it is R134a . And you can also look for R134a adapters, which would be located on the charge parts.
Is R12 colder than R134a?
R12 can blow 6 to 7 degrees cooler than R134a and is 15% more efficient. ... As a result, a perfectly functioning R12 system will blow colder and reduce temperatures faster than a system that was converted to R134a.
What is the best replacement for R12 refrigerant?
There are three replacement refrigerant options for R12 systems: R134a, R401a
Is it legal to sell R12 refrigerant?
Is it legal for me to sell? Yes, you can still sell R-12 and other CFC refrigerants. Although these refrigerants can no longer be manufactured, it is perfectly legal to sell to an EPA certified buyer .
How much is 134a in a R12 system?
Charge with 134a between 70-80% of the original R12 charge amount . Note: Hot gas valve will need to be adjusted during the charging process to properly adjust the low side by-pass pressure to 20psi. Replace any O-rings with 134a compatible.
What happens if you put the wrong refrigerant in your car?
You cannot mix refrigerant types, and putting the wrong refrigerant in your car will cause damage to the air conditioning system ! If you're not sure which kind of refrigerant your vehicle takes, DIY A/C charging may not be for you.
What is compatible with R12 refrigerant?
The best replacement for R12 is considered to be R-134a . The chemical name of R134a is tetrafluoroethane and it chemical formula is CF3CH2F. It is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and has zero ozone depletion causing potential and very low greenhouse effect.
Can you mix R12a and R12?
Unfortunately I'm now out of R12, and this time I'm going to try a substitute, environmental friendly Red Tek R12a refrigerant . The manufacturer claims it's compatible with R12 and there are several positive reviews on it.
What component Cannot be flushed?
Accumulators, receiver driers, lines and hoses with filters and mufflers CANNOT be flushed and must be replaced.
What year did they stop using R12 in cars?
For many years, R12 was the automotive refrigerant standard. It was effective and cheap. However, scientists quickly discovered its sinister secret: It was partially responsible for the rapidly-depleting ozone layer. In 1994 , it was banned from all new cars sold in the US.
