My son has told me several times not to ever buy him any tools, he doesnt want to end up a raving lunatic like me, standing in the driveway shouting obscenities skyward.

Was changing out my 93 4.0 radiator. Easy enough, I did it once before 5 years ago. Wouldnt have had to change again, except ace mechanic that I am, I over pressured it last year when I incorrectly installed head gaskets. Those stop leak pellets dont last very long.
So I was raising it out, pushing the a/c lines out of the way, when the sharply curved line separated from the connector fitting. Sounded like a rifle shot, and there went all my R-12 all over the place.

What is anybody's experience with these R134 changeover kits, where you keep orig compressor etc?
I'm in no mood to buy a whole new system.

Coldgeorge

 

No need to buy a whole new system, the van Blue books out at $1800 and a whole new A/C system is about half that at $900. Not worth the expense.

I put R134 kits in my 93 Aero and in the 90 F150 2 years ago. The F150 still blows ice cold, just need to add about 1 can of R134 per year. The Aero worked well for a couple of years but I think the evaporator core behind the dash went out. Van is gone now. I got my Interdynamics R134 changeover kit at Wall Mart for $34. Very easy to do with clear instructions and you only need to add 2 fittings to the lines. Enjoy the cold!

 

You will need a new accumulator. While you are at it, replace the orfice tube. Once the system has been opened like yours, it will begine absorbing moisture from outside. The desiccant in the accumulator is not compataible with R-134a and if it has any stored moisture, it will react with the R-134a and produce an acid. Best way to keep the system in prime shape is to replace the accumulator. The orfice tube should always be replaced, mostly because it is cheap. It is also a good idea to replace any o-rings that you disturb, since they are also cheap.
I would disregard the early statement that all you need is a retrofit kit. Those are only for systems that have not been opened or that still have pressurized refrigerant inside. Once the system has lost pressure, you need to replace other parts to prevent total failure of the AC system in the future. Once your repairs are made, you will also need to pull all the air out and pull a deep vacuum (vacuum pump required, don't get the air powered kind unless you have a really good air compressor with a minimum of a 10 gallon tank). Once the new parts are in place and the deep vacuum is pulled and hold for at least 5 minutes with no movement on the gauge, you can refill with new refrigerant.

 

your 93 probably has the FX15 compressor, if it is OEM, which is such a weak design, I would remove and drain all old oil out and then flush with a/c flush...old r12 mineral oil is not compatible with r134a PAG lube

info
http://www.4s.com/fourseasons/tech_tips/tech_tips_english/ab306.html
Ford:
The FX15 compressor is considered by FORD to be too weak to handle R134a. The FS10 was introduced to take the place of the weaker FX15. Four Seasons has replaced the FX-15 with the FS-10 compressor in all applications. The FS-10 compressor can be successfully retrofitted to R134a. (Be sure to review Tech Tip #AB302 Compressor Sludge for proper R&I procedure)
The HR980 compressor should not be retrofitted. The use of a Four Seasons compressor conversion kit should be used where applicable.

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/.../retrguid.html

 

The radiator guy in my town says those stop leak pellets are very bad for radiators as well as heater cores because of the clogging and possible failiure of both.
Beaned

 

I have a '97 shorty 3.0. When did they go to 134a? Does mine have it?
Thanks, Beaned

 

I believe any Aero 95 onward is R134.

Your 97 is definitely R134.

 

Thanks,krank
beaned