AC Questions

[riverdale21]

How can I find out if my 1991 M42 is freon or R134A?

[KenC]

If it hasn't been converted, it's R12.

[DaN]

It was originally an r12 system, but it may have been retrofitted for 134a. Look at the service ports, if they are threaded and there is no retrofit sticker its probably still 12. If they have larger quck connect fittings, its a 134a system.

Some shops will have a tester to analyse the contents of your system and give you percentages of what it contains.

[backlife]

i got a question if it is r12 how much does it cost to convert it and ca nyou do it yourself. if it isint how much to recharge it?


-adam

[Jand3rson]

Just to let everyone know, they have R134A canisters and recharge kits at Target now, in the automotive section.

(yes, I know it's huge. I want everyone to know about it, they just started carrying them)

[hotghias]

yes, they have the retrofit kits at walmart, too.

i talked to a mechanic who does a lot of e30 work and he said that the conversion doesn't always go that well - 134 just doesnt work as well in the system designed for r12. he recommended another product called "Freeze 12", which costs about ten bucks a bottle (which is a pound, right?) and is a direct r12 replacement that needs no conversion. i remember a few years ago one of my dad's auto-savy friends recommended the same product. anybody else heard of it?

[grlaneriejr]

I've never heard about the "freeze 12" you are talking about, but I will make some points about converting the system.

1 - to do a proper conversion that will last, you need to pull a vacuum on the system and make sure there are no leaks.

2 - those kits at Wal-Mart and Target are a good start, but you need to change all the O-rings and the hoses. R-134 is a smaller molecule and can leak out the hoses.

3 - the best thing is to find a professional to do it. In the south (La and Tx), it costs about $80, not including fixing your leaks.

Hope this helps