R-12 Refrigerant needed to be replaced with R-134a in a Truck. What components needed to be replace?

Answer 1

it all depends on what year the system was built in. if its older than 88 you will need to change the hoses to new "barrier" style hoses. Some people say you need to change the compressor, but from experience, that is not always required. Your best bet is to change to a product called "Red-Tec". It is a refrigerant that is far superior than r-12 and 134A. Red-tec does not require a retrofit either, and is compatible with all refrigerant oils.

Answer 2

Why do you need to replace it? If the AC system still works well, keep the R-12. You should still be able to get it serviced with the R-12. It's a much better refrigerant and is colder than the 134a.

Don't believe the hype that the tree huggers want you to believe. What they don't tell you is that R-12 is heavier than air and is impossible to get high enough to harm the ozone. Much of this EPA crap is designed to rob us blind and has nothing to do with protecting the environment. We've come a long way and made a lot of good changes because of the EPA, but they go too far sometimes.

If you get one of those kits to modify your AC, you might experience future problems like compressor burn out or leaks, etc. The main issue between the two is the type of oil used.
R-12 uses a synthetic mineral oil and 134a uses a polyalkalyne glycol (PAG) type oil. Neither refrigerant can support the other's oil. Just 1% presence of the other refrigerant is enough to contaminate the entire system and affect its ability to carry the oil (which is used to lube the compressor).
If your AC system isn't converted 100% correctly, you will experience complete system failure eventually.

Your best bet is to keep the R-12 and find someone who still uses it. It shouldn't be too hard if you live in the country.

Answer 3

You don't need to replace any components at all. The only difference is the freon. The R-12 is stronger than the R-134. The R-12 is more damaging to the ozone that's why it's discontinued. You just have to buy some adapters to connect the R-134 hose fittings to your factory A/C fittings that use the R-12. You can purchase them at your local auto parts store if your going to do the job yourself at home. Your A/C system wont be damaged if you use the R-134.

Answer 4

Did this problem happen all at once or over a period of a month or so? Starters usually don't just work one day and then stop working altogether. One or two of the gear teeth break which will lead to another and another. While this is going on, you'll get the problem where you get a grinding sound - hitting on the gap and then gears - and it will fail to start a couple times, then on the 3rd it will catch, for example. This may go on for a few weeks until one day you turn the key and it just won't start at all. Too many of the teeth in the starter gear are gone and though the starter turns - spinning sound, there aren't enough teeth left to catch on the flywheel and start the engine. I don't know how much that cost is on a Corsa R, but probably more than on say a Ford Taurus. Changing the starter yourself is not impossible, but if you aren't mechanically inclined, best left to a reliable mechanic. Also, diagnostics are cheep to free at a reputable shop. Good luck.

Answer 5

i own a repair shop,and i did mine,and didn't replace nothing,all i did was pump it dry,and add the needed valves that come with the kit,and fill it,and it has worked perfect for 3 years now,all this stuff you hear about replacing parts is just not true,that's why they made the it for,,to make it easy to do,most of the parts that are there now will adapt over real good to the new coolant i am doing my Nissan next,and its an 87 model,,good,luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 6

I used a kit from an auto parts store. Cost me about 50 bucks. You will need a good vacume pump to make it work properly. Also you may want to replace the dryer and expansion valve while you have the system empty. Good luck!

Answer 7

dodge man is right on the money . use a vacuum pump to remove all the r-12 from the system,change the valves ad a can of oil charge then charge with r-134 you'll be chillin

Answer 8

Go on Ebay, do a search for Freeze 12.
I put this in an 87 two years ago and it works great. No changing of anything, if you have leaks you should put new seals in first.

Answer 9

there are kits sold to do this, they usually have an additive to make the system compatible so you don't have to change anything except the high and low pressure line hookups. make sure you put both pieces on and not just the low side, if you ever need to get an a/c problem diagnosed in the future both line pressures are important to the technician.

Answer 10

I have had good luck by using the retrofit kits that consist of a tube of new oil, and fittings to screw onto the low and high side ports.

The best way would probably be to flush the system of the old oil and refill.