How do I convert my car from R12 to R134a?
How to Convert an R12 to the R134a System
- Discard any R12 refrigerant still in the system by taking your vehicle to a licensed air-conditioning professional.
- Open the engine compartment of your vehicle.
- Push the high side retrofit R134a fitting over the old fitting and use a wrench to tighten it.
Can you replace R12 with r134?
R134a is a safer replacement for R12. Another major difference is the type of oil both refrigerators require. R12 is compatible with mineral oil, and most R12 systems use this. R134a uses Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) oil.
How much does it cost to convert R12 to R134a?
It will generally cost you about $200 to have a mechanic convert an AC system for you. If you want to replace a vehicle’s AC system, it will cost between $1,500 and $4,000 with an average cost of $2,750. If you decide to have a professional work on your car, you will have several options for where to get the work done.
What is recommended while converting an R12 system to R 134a?
A charge level between 75% and 85% is recommended when converting from R12 to R134a refrigerant.
Why did R134a replace R12?
In the automotive world, the replacement for R12 was tetrafluoroethane, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) branded as R134a. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. Bottom line, R134a simply doesn’t cool as well as R12.
Is there a replacement for R12 refrigerant?
There are three replacement refrigerant options for R12 systems: R134a, R401a, R401b. R134a is regarded, by manufacturers and adherents to the Montreal Protocols alike, as the best replacement refrigerant.
Can you still recharge R12?
No you can not recharge an AC system equipped with R-12 unless you are a licensed technician. You can convert your AC system to R-134 yourself, once the R-12 is dealt with correctly.
What year did they switch from R12 to R134a?
1995
R12 and 134a are refrigerants used in car air conditioning systems. R12 was used in most cars and trucks until 1995 when it was replaced with 134a.
What is special about R12 hoses compared to R134a?
The hose has an extra liner for higher pressure and to prevent leakage of the easy to leak out R134a. From what I understand the molecule is smaller for R134a thus it needs more of a barrier against leaking than the R12 hose has.
What can I use instead of R-134a?
There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a: R-1234yf, R-152a and R-744. More on these replacements later.
Why R12 is banned?
R-12 is a colorless and odorless CFC refrigerant that was completely banned from production by 1996 under the Montreal Protocol for depleting the ozone.
Can a car be converted from R12 to R134a?
R12 to R134A Conversion There are two ways to convert the air conditioning of your vehicle to the R134A gas. One is the factory method, where you would need to replace the AC parts, and the other is to modify the existing components to use R134A.
Can a Mopar classic be converted to R134a?
Whether you need to convert a Ford, GM, or MOPAR classic from R12 to R134a, two helpful tips to keep in mind…. Ignore your sight-glass. A properly charged 134a system will likely show bubbles in the sight-glass. Typical 134a charge rate will be approximately 70-80% of the factory R12 charge amount.
Do you have to change your AC system to R134a?
So, you do not need to change the AC system to R-134a. However, If your car AC has a problem then you have to change the system to the R134a system. Because refrigerant R-12 is banned and is not available in the market. Luckily, you are on the right page to convert the R12 to the R134a system.
Why is R12 not cool as well as R134a?
The result was evident- R134a could not cool as well as R12. There was also an issue with the oil used for lubrication purposes, which was washed away in the air after being absorbed by the refrigerant. The previously used oil in the car systems was not compatible with the new refrigerant as it was not dissolved.