Date:         Fri, 22 Feb 2002 20:22:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeff Strickrott <jstric01@CS.FIU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Strickrott <jstric01@CS.FIU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Air Conditioner Question
Comments: To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I am new to AC issues and have an old R12 system that I am contemplating changing
over to R134. Is it mandatory to change the receiver/dryer because of the new
coolant chemical configuration, or does it just make the system more efficient.
What else would need to be changed?

Any good web resources for converting an existing system? I note that Stan Wilder
sent a link for Freeze 12 (http://www.freeze-12.com/). Reading the advertisement
it looks to be a better deal than R134. No idea how expensive it is.


Regards,
--Jeff Strickrott
82 Westfalia

Larry Alofs wrote:

> developtrust wrote:
>  At $180 to service it I'd like
> > to fix any leaks to minimize a yearly drop of almost $200.
> >
> > Any advice? It is 80 degrees in California today with our dry Santa Ana
> > winds and also summer is coming.
> >
> > Has anyone solved this AC issue more permanently than replacing freone every
> > year?
> >
> Last spring I converted my 91 to R134a.  The PO had said that the R12
> had leaked out soon after he had it recharged.  I replaced the
> reciever-drier , emptied the old oil out of the compressor, replaced it
> with ester oil.  I put in new O-rings at those connections.  I suspect
> that the ones at the compressor were leaking; they were quite flat and
> hard.  I pumped the system down for a few hours with a vacuum pump and
> then recharged it.  I invested about $75 in a service gauge set.
>   I am quite happy with the performance so far, but it has been less
> than a year.
>
> Larry A.