Gimmie a Clue..... A/C

[Godder]

Hey guys. Here I am asking for help again. Anyway, the question is about my 89 F150, 5.0, 5 Spd. A couple of years ago, the truck would idle rough when I turned on the AC. Would work fine, and cool well as long as I kept the engine from stalling. I turned the AC off, and have not used it since. I want to drive cool this summer. It still is equpped for the old type refridgerant, so I guess the first thing I do is update that. Then I could persue any other problems. I have read very little about conversion kilts. I have heard that they are very hard to install, and others have said that it is just a couple of "O" Rings. So, my question is this. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Take it to a mechanic? Buy a kit from Advanced? Find some "old" refridgerant? All help is ALWAYS appreciated.

Jim

[Ultramagdan]

Here's a good link. In any case your system would need to be pressure checked and any leaks fixed before recharging with R12.

Click here

[Ecuri]

Does it still make satisfactory cold, aside from wanting to stall?
If so, there is a fast idle solenoid that may not be working.
It is a crap shoot from here out. After all, it is a 15 year old system. I would rule out R-12 unless you live on the mexican border.
If it is not making cold anymore... I would verify the compressor works, find and fix the leak, change the dryer, and install some Freeze 12. This is cheapest. (Look for crap when you change the dryer in the lines and make a judgement call.) When the compressor goes, then do the conversion to R-134.
A/C work is a can of worms... everthing has to be perfect. It was easy when R-12 was a $1.00 a pound and systems used hose clamps and it was OK to purge the system with freon. It is a whole new ball of wax. R-134 is over $5.00 a lb and does not perform as well as R-12. Cleaning solvents cost more... 1-1-1 triclor is gone... now they want to sell you some stuff for $20 a flush and it is a crime to vent refrigerant.
If you can afford to, take it to a shop. If you can't, read everthing you can, buy some guages and a book, and then phone a friend who does it for a living because you will still have questions. Feel better now?

[94van]

Go to www.ackits.com - read their forums, and articles on converting to R-134. It's best to stay with R-12 if you can, as
R-134 won't cool as well unless a larger condenser is used.

You can flush the system using paint thinner (mineral spirits) @$3-4 a gallon. Other parts must be changed also, such as o-rings, accumulator/drier and oil.