Is there a way to check if car has been converted to R134?

[shoppingshzhang]

So I am thinking about digging into the AC system. I bought the car in January this year and never bothered to check the AC system because I didn't think I will need it.

However, I do think the AC system works and I might do a recharge. I just want to make sure I put the correct freon in the system.

Is there a way to check if the car has been converted to R134a?

Thanks

[rich4rdee]

yes, the fittings are different for R12 vs R134a.

[shoppingshzhang]

Awesome. I will check that

[ahrensNW]

Pull off the high side valve, the one by the strut housing. Take a nail and gently depress the valve. Take a nice big inhale of the fumes coming off it, if you feel a really good buzz, you got yourself some r12.

[Klug]

Check out the compressor and/or evap valve. Evap valve will say R134a (but a bitch to get at) but the compressor will be specifically r12 or r134a depending on the model. Sometimes people 'upgraded' to r134a and only swapped out the recharging valves- not the whole system. Not really the correct way to do things.

Check out my 134a conversion thread in my signature- where I upgraded everything. 6 months later I'm still blowing out ice cold 134a!

[varg]

Check out the compressor and/or evap valve. Evap valve will say R134a (but a bitch to get at) but the compressor will be specifically r12 or r134a depending on the model. Sometimes people 'upgraded' to r134a and only swapped out the recharging valves- not the whole system. Not really the correct way to do things.

Check out my 134a conversion thread in my signature- where I upgraded everything. 6 months later I'm still blowing out ice cold 134a!

My system was filled with R134a, despite having the original R12 expansion valve. I'd guess that most R134a "converted" E30s had a similar "conversion" done.