A/C conversion kit?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
A/C conversion kit?
We have a '90 Buick, and the A/C is shot. They want $1400 to fix- more than the car is worth. Can I get the parts to convert it to the new freon, then have it charged? Are there kits available? Where would I look? Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
??? The system has a couple leaks in it. The clutch (and compressor) seem to work OK, but the ($$$) freon slowly leaks down. I guess I could bring it somewhere else for a second opinion. I think our current mechanic is a bit of a gold-digger. The car only has 65K on it, and the body is perfect, so I might consider an up-grade, if it wasn't too much.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi,Tx.
you can do it!
do a little searching in the heating and A/C forum... you can learn a lot.
$1400 !!! what are they talking about ? replacing all components in your system ?
Quick and dirty... have a pro evacuate your system... replace/repair bad component... empty out mineral oil into a measuring cup... flush system to get out the rest... add same amount of PAG oil... close system ... buy gauges for 134a... evacuate the system for 30 minutes(autozone here has vaccum pumps for loan)... let sit to check for leakdown... add 134a to same pressure. forgot... change drier and all O-rings.
if you know what the problem is you should be able to do this for less than $200 - $300 depending on what failed.
Its some work, easier on some vehicles and harder on others... just read as much as you can before you start!
I'm glad I did... my inlaws are glad also...
$1400 !!! what are they talking about ? replacing all components in your system ? Quick and dirty... have a pro evacuate your system... replace/repair bad component... empty out mineral oil into a measuring cup... flush system to get out the rest... add same amount of PAG oil... close system ... buy gauges for 134a... evacuate the system for 30 minutes(autozone here has vaccum pumps for loan)... let sit to check for leakdown... add 134a to same pressure. forgot... change drier and all O-rings.
if you know what the problem is you should be able to do this for less than $200 - $300 depending on what failed.
Its some work, easier on some vehicles and harder on others... just read as much as you can before you start!
I'm glad I did... my inlaws are glad also...
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: N. Mississippi
I had the AC sytem on a 90 F-150 converted once for way less than that, including a rebuilt compressor and having the condensor flushed out. Run me around 500 dollars as well as I remember over 4 years ago.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
From: Southern MD
I converted my '89 Mustang from R-12 to R-134 3 years ago because the condenser was leaking. I had lots of R-12, but decided to convert it because I had 2 other vehicles newer than '94 that used R-134.
I bought off eBay, a used sniffer, a real vacuum pump and some other small stuff. The total including the above, an o-ring assortment, the condenser, flushing materials, conversion fittings and proper oil, cost less than $500. I had a set of gauges, but a cheap set can be bought for $50.
It isn't hard to do, but if you do it right, it should work satisfactory. ACKits.com is a helpful site with most parts at good prices. The AC section on this board has a lot of good info too.
I bought off eBay, a used sniffer, a real vacuum pump and some other small stuff. The total including the above, an o-ring assortment, the condenser, flushing materials, conversion fittings and proper oil, cost less than $500. I had a set of gauges, but a cheap set can be bought for $50.
It isn't hard to do, but if you do it right, it should work satisfactory. ACKits.com is a helpful site with most parts at good prices. The AC section on this board has a lot of good info too.
