Can R12 be replaced with R134a?
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.
What are the modifications required for an existing R12 refrigeration system to be retrofitted to R134a refrigerant?
On many 1989 through 1993 vintage vehicles, R-12 A/C systems can be converted by simply recovering any refrigerant that is still in the system, adding POE oil (which is compatible with both types of refrigerant), and recharging to 85 to 90% capacity with R-134a.
Is R12 colder than R134a?
R12 can blow 6 to 7 degrees cooler than R134a and is 15% more efficient. As a result, a perfectly functioning R12 system will blow colder and reduce temperatures faster than a system that was converted to R134a.
How much does it cost to convert from 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 happens if you put R134a in a R22 system?
Using R134a in Systems Designed for R22 If you have a home or auto air conditioner designed to work with R22 refrigerant, and the system needs a recharge, a number of issues prevent the direct substitution of R134a. R134a swells the rubber components in the refrigeration system and causes leaks.
Can a R12 air conditioner be converted to a R134a?
Recharging an automobile air-conditioning system is rather simple, however, R12 refrigerant is difficult and expensive–you must be a licensed professional to buy it. Instead you can convert an R12 system to an R134a system with a few parts and some basic tools.
Can You retrofit an R12 freon air conditioner?
Retrofitting air-conditioning systems has been losing its popularity due to the decrease in automotive R-12 systems on the road, but I still see motorists asking questions about the proper way of converting their old systems to r-134a. I have looked at many converted automobiles with very poor performance after the work is done.
When do I need to recharge my R12 air conditioner?
Before 1995 most vehicles came with R12 refrigerant in the air-conditioning system. If your air conditioning is no longer cooling as well as it once did, then chances are you need to recharge the refrigerant in the system.
How do you change the refrigerant on an R12?
Start the engine and switch the air conditioning to highest setting. Put a thermometer in the center vent to measure the temperature as you add refrigerant. Connect the T-valve hose to the low side service port. Open the valve and allow the system to draw the refrigerant out of the can–you can feel the can get colder and lighter.