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Topic: R12 to R134A / Change or Not

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (6/16)
7/12/07 3:39pm

mkapp7879
Former Member
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Joined: 10/21/2003
Posts: 1220

Does it start out nice and cold but gradually get less cold as the motor fully warms up? Could be the cutoff valve in the heater hose not working. Air blows cold while cold coolant is still flowing through the heater core.

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (7/16)
7/12/07 8:00pm

terntes
Limited Member
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Little Rock, AR - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition

Joined: 7/10/2007
Posts: 123

I've replaced my heater valve with a manual for complete shut-off so that is not the problem. The air coming out of the ducts is not cold or really very cool, just pretty cool. It is enough with the system running on max air and full fan on a hot day. It really hasn't been that hot here this summer. I've sealed all leaks and put a reflective barrier inside on T-tops and it will just keep you barely comfortable on a hot sunny day. I bought the car in Houston to drive back to Arkansas. Before I got out of town the T-top heat barrier was already duct taped up. I will check my duct work for integrity and I guess that is about all I can do for now.

Thanks for all the input!

terntes.

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (8/16)
7/12/07 8:41pm

ranger3

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

When you had the AC serviced did they just top off the freon or did they evauate the system and pull a good vacuum? It sounds like there might be some moisture in the system. If the pressure is good and not gettin cold there is moisture or a blockage. That's assuming all the thing Joel menioned are good.

Scott

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (9/16)
7/13/07 11:54am

terntes
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Little Rock, AR - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition

Joined: 7/10/2007
Posts: 123

To the best of my knowledge he checked the pressure, it was good so they added a can of Freeze12 and charged me $55. That stuff is not supposed to be compatible with R12, but what do I know? It might be moisture or I've heard it might be dirt on the cooling core? It will be very hot here for the next two months and I drive my car every day, so I'm going to get it fixed, no matter what.

terntes.

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (10/16)
7/14/07 8:47am

my7t1

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

My suggestion being an a/c tech, PLEASE stay away from so called drop in ref. Stick with either r12 or 134a. All the others are a corktail soup of different ref. Plus I would be really ticked off if I ran it into my recycling equip. They're all a contaminant. my7T12007-07-14 05:55:50

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Click on images for Before and After pics!

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (11/16)
8/3/07 1:57pm

Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe

Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1735

I am in the same boat, on my way back from Cleveland my AC developed a leak in the tube going to the condenser so a fix and recharge has to be done. I have R12 and will stay with that even though the cost is high. The last time I repaired it was 5 years ago. The thing I am worried about is what else should I do to make sure something else doesn't break/start to leak after I have fixed it. I completely rebuilt the system 11 years ago so is it time to do it again? Should I change out all the o-rings now or is better to leave it alone?

Redwingvette2007-08-03 11:00:46

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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (12/16)
8/3/07 9:50pm

ranger3

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

I would definitely do a very good visual inspection of the other hoses. Change the orings and maybe replace the dryer since the system has been opened. I would opt to change to R134a. I did my 75 and have been very happy with the results.

Scott

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (13/16)
8/17/07 7:24pm

ricebiker
Former Member
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tallahassee, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 l-48 corvette tan, 87k miles, all original

Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 9

My old ford van had r12. the a/c guys at work put some stuff in that was "suppose " to be compatable. It worked for a week and wouldn't cool again. my buddy and I changed the dryer, the orifice tube and he ran some stuff thru it that cleaned out the lines, condenser and evatorator. We drew a vacumn and charged it with 134a. I sold the van three years ago when I bought my 77 vette and a 93 ford explorer. My neighbor bought it and uses it to go to Nascar races, camping. the A/C is still working very well.

The 93 didn't have a working a/c system. I rebuilt the system, pulled a vacumn and charged it with 134a. That was three years ago and you can hang meat in it with in 5 minutes of starting the motor at walmart in 100 degree weather after shopping with my wife (FOR HOURS).

My VETTE. we, it was converted to 134 when I got it. It cooled the air a bit. I have had it for three years now, never did anything to it. I turned it on not long ago and it never cooled at all. I have only drivin the car 5k in three years and not far from home. The T-tops have stayed in the cases in the storage area about 4800 of those miles. so a/c??? whats the use...

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (14/16)
8/17/07 7:47pm

terntes
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Little Rock, AR - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition

Joined: 7/10/2007
Posts: 123

Ricebiker,

Does that mean crotchrocket? I used to ride a fast Yamaha, I still prefer the performance of rice burners over the Harley, but I guess the Harley has better resale value.

My '82 is my daily driver, I love it and I'm going to drive it everywhere! My small town (100 degrees +) Arkansas hvac tech said the R-12 pressure was very good so he topped it of with Freeze-12 (why I don't know, he's supposed to be the expert) and said he was trying to save me money by not doing a 134a changeover. He charged me $50 and sent me on my way, some savings, it still is only pretty cool air with no improvement. Next time I will get my way and get a changeover and a system cleanse and vacuum check. It's kind of like going to the doctor, sometimes they know best?

Thanks for the response,

terntes

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (15/16)
8/17/07 8:13pm

rick d
Former Member
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williamston, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1969 coupe, 350, m22 trans, ac, black on black,

Joined: 1/19/2006
Posts: 353

I fix a/c systems for a living,,,r-12 is a much better refrigerant,however a 30 lb can costs me 1000.oo dollars (if I can find it) r134 is not as good but a 30 lb can costs me 110.00,,its a matter of bucks,,if your old r12 system is still intact,,stay with it,,if you need to upgrade then go with r134,,rd

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R12 to R134A / Change or Not (16/16)
8/18/07 9:41pm

ricebiker
Former Member
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tallahassee, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 l-48 corvette tan, 87k miles, all original

Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 9

The cost and availability is why everything I have now has 134a. not to mention I can do all the work myself. I can't buy, sell or trade R12 (no license)

Yea, I ride a Yamaha Virago 1100cc. I have been riding bikes since I was 13 and I am 48 now. I don't figure I will ever stop riding. besides, trucks get 20 mpg, vette gets 19 mpg, bike gets 45mpg... again, cost!!!

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