1986 ac problems....
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I see it all the time on these boards. It's the professional licensed HVAC guys who always get their feathers ruffled when talking about conversions.
Yes, they are certified and have a lot of training and know all the ins and outs on A/C systems.
Yes, they can make a r134a conversion run very cold with all the little doo-dads and changes.
Their everyday job is to get a A/C system running perfectly, it's what gives them a sense of pride in their work. But what they don't like, is people like me who go to Walmart, read the instructions, stick the conversion/oil cans of freon in the system after a vacuum, and getting the system to work. Does it work perfectly? From what they are saying no. Does it cool good enough that I have to turn the fan down or I get too cold? It does for me. I have converted 4 systems so far with no problems.
Yes, they are certified and have a lot of training and know all the ins and outs on A/C systems.
Yes, they can make a r134a conversion run very cold with all the little doo-dads and changes.
Their everyday job is to get a A/C system running perfectly, it's what gives them a sense of pride in their work. But what they don't like, is people like me who go to Walmart, read the instructions, stick the conversion/oil cans of freon in the system after a vacuum, and getting the system to work. Does it work perfectly? From what they are saying no. Does it cool good enough that I have to turn the fan down or I get too cold? It does for me. I have converted 4 systems so far with no problems.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
I am not going to try and start a name calling or flaming war, I'm just going to say, you fellows who live in Shenandoah Valley or Minnesota don't have to deal with 100% humidity and 95+ degree days while trying to stay comfortable in a crew cab. Those of us who live near the coast and South need the AC to be fully functional. I am simply responding to requests from several members to do a write-up. What the moderators and Internet Brands do with it is up to them. If someone up north wanted a way to get better heat, I wouldn't be interested, but that doesn't mean someone else would. FWIW, yes, I am a licensed AC technician, I had to be in order to buy R12 for my own stuff. I am not a proffesional HVAC guy, I am a calibration techician who gets to play engineer and not get paid as an engineer. I have just been working on automotive AC systems for around 50 years. My dad taught me how, he built a system from scratch for a 1948 Pontiac we had.
Last edited by 85lebaront2; May 19, 2011 at 09:58 PM. Reason: Additional information added.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
No harm in a write up! I'm sure the Walmart kit works ok - but I'll bet the Firestone kids that "converted" mine can't even follow the instructions for the Walmart kit. So I'd like to see all the steps for a professional proper conversion, even if they all aren't completely necessary for moderate functionality. I suspect the steps will be similar to the Walmart kit, just with extra steps like pulling ethanol through the system and loading with a specific type of oil supply prior to R134. I also live in an area with hot, humid summers and would really like an AC system that is so cold I have to turn it down.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
IB is pretty much hands-off of how FTE runs wrt stuff like this and will let me deal with it.
I personally think a write-up is great, I would ask you to do it in HOWTO format with pictures and instructions.
And yes, of course it will be in the stickies, and integrated into the new sticky system (which I sometimes wish I would spend more time on finishing).
Put it this way.... if a write-up will provide value to people who own these trucks and are looking for help on how to do something, then I'm all for it.
Believe me, I know the work involved in putting one of those together, and will give rep points to those who are willing to go through the work to help others.
I personally think a write-up is great, I would ask you to do it in HOWTO format with pictures and instructions.
And yes, of course it will be in the stickies, and integrated into the new sticky system (which I sometimes wish I would spend more time on finishing).
Put it this way.... if a write-up will provide value to people who own these trucks and are looking for help on how to do something, then I'm all for it.
Believe me, I know the work involved in putting one of those together, and will give rep points to those who are willing to go through the work to help others.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 0
From: Princeton MN
I am not going to try and start a name calling or flaming war, I'm just going to say, you fellows who live in Shenandoah Valley or Minnesota don't have to deal with 100% humidity and 95+ degree days while trying to stay comfortable in a crew cab. Those of us who live near the coast and South need the AC to be fully functional. I am simply responding to requests from several members to do a write-up. What the moderators and Internet Brands do with it is up to them. If someone up north wanted a way to get better heat, I wouldn't be interested, but that doesn't mean someone else would. FWIW, yes, I am a licensed AC technician, I had to be in order to buy R12 for my own stuff. I am not a proffesional HVAC guy, I am a calibration techician who gets to play engineer and not get paid as an engineer. I have just been working on automotive AC systems for around 50 years. My dad taught me how, he built a system from scratch for a 1948 Pontiac we had.
. I couldn't pay a shop to do it, so i spend $110 on tools and did many a/c systems and upwards of 10 conversions. I don't use the walmart kits. I evacuate the system for an hour or so, leave the vac on overnight, then charge the next day with ester oil and the right amount of 134, now i don't weigh it put i charge just by evaporator pressure, is it right, maybe, but it works good for me and my meat hanging vent temps tell me the same thing. All this coming from the guy that doesn't pull on a coat til 20*. Me likes it COLD
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