DIY ac refill?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Elk City, OK
DIY ac refill?
After finding and fixing the leak, I ned to refill my ac freon in my sig truck. A friend of mine had an A/C Pro refill done by a mechanic and it would freeze you out. I noticednon the can it says there is some type of fitting your vehicle has to have to do it. Can I refill it myself with one of these or does a truck this old need something special to refill it?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
Your truck is fitted with a R12 system. Good luck finding someone who will refill it. And as for doing it yourself, good luck finding the freon for it. I sold my batch of 10 12oz cans about a year ago for $500...
What your more than likely gonna have to do it convert the system to R134A.
What your more than likely gonna have to do it convert the system to R134A.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
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From: Mexico, Missouri
^^^^^ Agreed
Perhaps you can find Freeze12?...other than that, price compressor, orifice tube, NEW hoses, new o-rings, and drier. Should put you in the $300 range. Also, buy the flush solvent by the gallon not quart or aerosol and flush evaporator and condenser. About $48. This is the best bet.
Perhaps you can find Freeze12?...other than that, price compressor, orifice tube, NEW hoses, new o-rings, and drier. Should put you in the $300 range. Also, buy the flush solvent by the gallon not quart or aerosol and flush evaporator and condenser. About $48. This is the best bet.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Paullina IA
If all you had was a leak and not a compressor failure.
I've had decent luck with this method of conversion. Install the R12-R134 conversion fittings on your truck. Put in some R134 oil if the system is low on oil. If you had a leak I'm guessing your slightly down on oil. You could also remove as many of the a/c components as you can to drain the oil and then add new R134 oil. Then pull a vacuum using a vacuum pump for 30 minutes. I've had decent luck with the venturi style that use compressed air. Need a big compressor though. Then charge the system up. You don't need a manifold gage setup, but they are nice to monitor high pressure side readings also.
My methods probably hack, but it's worked for me.
To do it completely right would be flush all the components out, replace the drier, replace all seals, new orifice tube, add in full oil charge and recharge with R134.
Lots of guys hate 134 in r12 systems, but i've had good luck.
I've had decent luck with this method of conversion. Install the R12-R134 conversion fittings on your truck. Put in some R134 oil if the system is low on oil. If you had a leak I'm guessing your slightly down on oil. You could also remove as many of the a/c components as you can to drain the oil and then add new R134 oil. Then pull a vacuum using a vacuum pump for 30 minutes. I've had decent luck with the venturi style that use compressed air. Need a big compressor though. Then charge the system up. You don't need a manifold gage setup, but they are nice to monitor high pressure side readings also.
My methods probably hack, but it's worked for me.
To do it completely right would be flush all the components out, replace the drier, replace all seals, new orifice tube, add in full oil charge and recharge with R134.
Lots of guys hate 134 in r12 systems, but i've had good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 567
Likes: 2
You can invest in a vacuum pump and hoses from someplace like harbor freight for around $100, not including the conversion fittings, oil, and 134a.
Its very freeing to have the tools on hand to properly charge/fix an AC system whenever you want. Iv already used mine on on 3 vehicles and its paid for itself after only one use compared to a shop.
Its very freeing to have the tools on hand to properly charge/fix an AC system whenever you want. Iv already used mine on on 3 vehicles and its paid for itself after only one use compared to a shop.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,219
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From: Elk City, OK
I'm assuming it's a leak. I am going to take it to a qualified ac shop to have it checked out. As far as converting it over, I'm going to let a shop handle that one. Thanks to everyone for the help
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Bountiful UT
EnviroSafe Refrigerants - Environmentally Friendly Refrigerant and Automotive Fluid Products
I have refilled both my R12 systems with this, it has been working great for 2 years now
I have refilled both my R12 systems with this, it has been working great for 2 years now
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Mooresville, NC
After finding and fixing the leak, I ned to refill my ac freon in my sig truck. A friend of mine had an A/C Pro refill done by a mechanic and it would freeze you out. I noticednon the can it says there is some type of fitting your vehicle has to have to do it. Can I refill it myself with one of these or does a truck this old need something special to refill it?
I'd look at moving to the new refrigerant.............how long has it been sitting "dry" ??? (You may be looking at new o-rings, rec/drier, etc if it's been awhile)
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