R-12 System
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 25
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R-12 System
Hello I’ve got a 89 F-150 with the 5.8 and the air conditioning doesn’t work. I’ve jumped the wires by the accumulator and the compressor did kick on. My question is should/ can I just refill it with R-12 or an R-12 replacement? I know my system is completely empty and I would probably need a lot to refill it. Or should I just open all the windows and call it a day?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,495
Likes: 2,019
From: North Texas
Oooooooooor, replace all the old junk and have no issues.
You can DIY it all for about $500. If too high, shoot in some air duster (152A) and see how long the charge holds. About 25oz is what you need.
You can DIY it all for about $500. If too high, shoot in some air duster (152A) and see how long the charge holds. About 25oz is what you need.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 2,585
From: Near Salt Lake City
I still have 35 pounds or so of R12
It's around
I buy a tank when I need
Not often anymore, as most systems have been retrofitted to R134a
If you have an old classic or a worthy truck I use R12
Most I just retrofit to 134a for a couple hundred bucks (my recommendation for yours) Unless you can find some R12
Parts are only about 50
I would replace every o ring you can get your hands on easily and replace the compressor
Freon is most likely leaking out the front shaft seal of the compressor
It's around
I buy a tank when I need
Not often anymore, as most systems have been retrofitted to R134a
If you have an old classic or a worthy truck I use R12
Most I just retrofit to 134a for a couple hundred bucks (my recommendation for yours) Unless you can find some R12
Parts are only about 50
I would replace every o ring you can get your hands on easily and replace the compressor
Freon is most likely leaking out the front shaft seal of the compressor
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,957
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
and it will not work to "just add freon" you need to draw a vacuum on the system first to give the freon a place to go.
Pulling a vacuum is not to "give the freon a place to go", it is to remove moisture.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,447
Likes: 5,517
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
true, but without pulling a vacuum you will not be able to add the proper amount of freon either.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 441
Agreed. Air will always be in the system if it's not vac'd out first, if the system is empty of refrigerant. This can prevent the compressor from kicking on if conditions / configuration are such that it prevents it, especially if an auto part store-esque can is used. The air then would result in a less efficient system if it does kick on with all the air still present.
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