Anyone with exp. using A/C conversion kits

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Jul 17, 2006 | 01:33 PM

bf5113

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: mass

Anyone with exp. using A/C conversion kits

My '93 F-150 uses the older A/C refrigerant Freon. I'm considering updating myself to the new refrigerant R-134A. I've seen kits on JC Whitney that cost about $50 and claim you don't have to open the A/C to update to R-134A. I thought that R-134A is corrosive to the seals in an old A/C and that some seals and hoses need to be replaced or they will fail. Can a Freon A/C in a truck be updated using a conversion kit for about $50 and the A/C does not need to be opened??

Thanks

Jul 17, 2006 | 01:47 PM

jas88

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

Pre-94 trucks do not have barrier hoses, which you are going to need otherwise the r134a is going to go thru the rubber. You also need to replace the mineral oil with ester oil. You don't strictly have to, but I also think you should replace all your o-rings with the green ones while you are in there.

Jul 17, 2006 | 01:52 PM

subford

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Joined: Aug 2005

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From: Easton,Ks

No is what I hear, you have to open it up or it will not last long. I have upgraded just about all of mine but I use Freeze 12 and it is comparable with the old hardware and you do not have to open it up. Been using Freeze 12 for about ten years now and have no complaints. But on the other hand I do all of my own work and it would not be easy to find someone on the road to repair it. I also have license for it and all of the recovery equipment.
Also it seems nobody on the forums likes Freeze 12 so I do not talk about it much.

Jul 17, 2006 | 07:17 PM

frederic

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From: New Jersey

I agree with the advice you've gotten so far. It's going to leak. Maybe not 20 minutes after you fill it with the new stuff, but generally they all leak and eventually the seals/hoses go pop.

Since the 96 F-series and the 97 F250/F350/F450's used the new refrigerant, simply order those lines, evaporator and fittings, and seals in the compressor and install them on your truck. Then, install the new style refrigerant.

Jul 17, 2006 | 09:30 PM

EPNCSU2006

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From: Concord, NC

An interesting tidbit I picked up last year was that there isn't a material that can completely contain R134a. The guy from Caterpillar said that they overcharge their systems by about a half of a pound at the factory, and it'll need to be recharged after about five years.

I agree with the others. If you are going to convert, don't do it with one of these simple kits.

Jul 17, 2006 | 10:18 PM

mississauga

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Mississauga,Ont.,Canada

I have replaced the original r-12 in my ac system with the r-134 in my 88 . I changed the accumulator, orfice tube and all of the o-rings and the oil .The system was completely flushed and a vacuum pump installed to evacuate the system and remove any moisture.. I however did not do any of the hoses.This was done about 5 years ago and everthing seems to be ok so far. It is my understanding that the r-134 refridgerant molecules are smaller than r-12 and will leak faster than the r-12 especially thru the shaft seal on the compressor.Any leaks on the r-12 system will be much faster with r-134 if you dont make the repairs.I agree with the others that a proper conversion is crital so the ac system will work properly for many years.

Jul 18, 2006 | 05:29 AM

meck1

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The best way to convert is as you've already been advised, change the 0-rings, hoses, accumulator, etc. However, I've converted several doing far less. On my own vehicles, I've always done the more thorough job, but for friends who've insisted I've done the quicker route. I've been amazed to see the Walmart/comes-in-one-can conversions work just fine with no disastrous failures for at least a couple of years that they still had the vehicles.

I've also been amazed to see how variable the results are even with extensive changes. I use Envirosafe in all my vehicles. It has worked well, although it took me a while to get the charging procedure right. But in one vehicle, it will cool okay but not great. In the next vehicle, it will freeze you out. I've see the same in the "quickie" conversions. Go figure.

So, do you need to do the extensive/more expensive conversion? Well, I would do it. But is it needed? In my experience, I would have to say that I really don't know.