Air Conditioning Recharge

[Green1]

I talked to a garage this morning about having the AC recharged, now it appears that these vans use R12 coolant normally which of course isn't allowed anymore... the garage says that to convert it to the new coolant they need to replace O-rings and something they refered to as an "orifice tube"... the O-rings they say they can simply guesstimate a match for, but this orifice tube they aren't so sure they can match...
Anyone have any ideas on part numbers/availability for this?

They were also asking if I had a manual that covered the HVAC system... I have engine manuals, but none cover the AC... anyone?

[EnviroImports.com]

Hi, yes they run on R12, but you can go across the boarder if you cant find a fix here and get r12 in alot of the US states, I believe there is a can of something that is compatible with the r12 that we can get here. unless thats just a bc thing.
Sorry I dont have any info on the conversion parts., but im told its about 1k to do. as the whole system has to be changed. but I could be wrong on that.
Noel

[EricN]

Go to Lordco, buy an R134a conversion kit which will come with a bunch of o-rings, oil and adapters for the valves (I think it is about $50). Put the orings on if you want to, we never bother (Honda) unless it is leaking. Have the system vacuumed, go to KMS tools (604-522-5599) and buy the R12a charge kit. Dont get r12 from the states. It is brutal on the ozone. R12a is a non ods and non greenhouse gas (r134a is being phased out now because it is a greenhouse gas in favour of r12a). Don't worry about the orifice tube (it might even be an expansion valve system, I dont know) unless the AC isn't working properly. Chances are it will be ok. The hard part is going to be figuring out the capacity of the system.

[torchard]

Hi Brett,

Did they quote you a price? Doesn't seem like an easy DIY project. If you have to get the old coolant vacuumed then it seems reasonable to have the place do the full job.

--T

I talked to a garage this morning about having the AC recharged, ...

[robinimpey]

You can go to your local auto parts store and get a a/c recharge kit that you can use on either the old r-12 or the new systems, they are compatible with both. Red Tek is a common brand name and NAPA has their own brand as well. I have done my '88 Bronco, my son's '95 Chev and my daughter's '91 oldsmobile. All worked out great. I had to replace seals on my Bronco because it had a slow leak, wasn't complicated at all if you're a little mechanical.

Check it out, it's an easy and cheap fix and I haven't had any troubles, nor have I heard about anyone having any issues with these recharge kits. Let me know if you want to know more. Here's a website for you. http://www.redtek.com/ Click on Red Tek 12a on the bottom right part of the page.

[Erebus]

My garage here in Calgary did my 1991 Caprice, which had R-12, in 2002. They didn't have to change any parts. R-134 and Red-Tek both sound familiar. Can't tell you the price, but they did a whole bunch of un-related work too and the total was $1400, so it couldn't have been too expensive.

[Green1]

Garage today did a retrofit on the AC to change it to R134 total cost was about $250...
only catch is I still need a part... apparently the A/C low pressure cutout switch is busted...