recharge

[curtisb]

Ok, i was hoping someone could tell me about recharging/converting the a/c in my '89 4.3L V6 S10. I was looking at the lines running from the a/c and it looks like i need to convert to R134, but neither of the fittings have caps and i don't know witch one to hook the recharge kit to. so if anyone can help i would love it, thanks

[88Jimmy]

Your going to need to replace or at least clean out/flush the evaporator, condenser, orafice tube, and compressor... along with all of the lines. If you cross contaminate R12 and R134A you can have bad things happen to your system. If there is any R12 left, let a certified person remove it for you, that stuff is worth a shit-ton of money so it's saved. Also, they have a flush kit at most auto parts stores or you can clean it all out with pure alcohol.

Since the system is getting recharged though, I would seriously think about replacing those parts since they are cheap(minus the compressor), and will save you headaches further down the road.

[curtisb]

ok thanks, seems like alot to replace, where can i get those things cheapest, and would one of those potentially fix the a/c? the guy i got it from said it didn't work, but when you turn it on the air blows and i can feel the engine work a little harder like a working a/c would do, so that is why i thought i would just recharge.

[curtisb]

oh and how can i tell if there is R12 left in it?

[88Jimmy]

Firstly, if the compressor is kicking in, there is still R12 left in it. A compressor won't kick in unless there is enough pressure to significantly oil everything. If you don't have a set of gauges, your best bet would be to take it to a shop and have them check it for R12. R12 is rather expensive and is semi-hard to come by. Although, in my opinion R12 blows alot colder out of the vents than an R134a system any day.

For parts, AutoZone or Advance should probably be cheapest. I know it sounds like alot to replace, but everything is on the firewall so it's relatively easy to get to.

[curtisb]

oh a place like auto zone could check for R12? and pull it out of the sytem, or do i have to go to an a/c shop?

[zerobudget S10]

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy

that stuff is worth a shit-ton of money so it's saved.

it's not that, that shit is toxic to the environment. i just completed ODP training

best to leave this to a mechanic. i wouldn't mess with it if i were you. Josh is right, if that shit mixes, it'll do a number on your a/c system.

[88Jimmy]

Originally Posted by zerobudget S10

it's not that, that shit is toxic to the environment. i just completed ODP training

best to leave this to a mechanic. i wouldn't mess with it if i were you. Josh is right, if that shit mixes, it'll do a number on your a/c system.

Plus, if R12 is burned... It becomes Mustard Gas, more commonly known as "nerve gas".

[zerobudget S10]

heh, yeah that too

[JackintheB0214]

Originally Posted by zerobudget S10

it's not that, that shit is toxic to the environment. i just completed ODP training

best to leave this to a mechanic. i wouldn't mess with it if i were you. Josh is right, if that shit mixes, it'll do a number on your a/c system.

agreed. i too just completed my training an you can't buy r-12 unless your certified. r-134a does not have any sales restrictions but if your not even sure whats in it than let someone that certified check it out. than you can go from there