Ok I had to replace my heater core so A/C was disconected as well. I taped up the lines to make sure no dirt. I am thinking of switching to Hot Shot but had some questions I hadn't seen answered here before. 1. just to confirm, It is compatable with R12 oil correct? 2. do I need any special O rings? 3. How does it run pressure wise? Higher/Lower then R12? 4. Do I use the same amount as R12? found answer 80% as much as R12 5. do I need a special valve/adapter for charging the system? Found answer Yes 6. Can I buy this or does an A/C tech have to get it? I think that is all for now. TIA Dave
I read some old posts about Hot Shot but the other questions I have were not answered. Does anyone use this? Is this a bad Idea? If it is so good a replacement and better then 134 why aren't new cars charged with this? Let me reform my question. I need to recharge my system due to heater core replacement. What freon would you use? what is everyone else doing? Dave
Freeze 12 works really well you dont have to be liscensed to buy it, we use it in the dealership that I work in. I cant remember but I think it charges a 80 percent of r-12. you wont have to change the oil in the system either.as an added bouns I believe it is about 8 or 9 buck for a 12 oz can.
I have 1 can of R12 left, but at todays prices for R12 I am not going to go that route. I have a friend with an R12 system that needs a top off so I am just giving it to him. Since I don't have enough to do a complete recharge I might as well switch to an alternative now. Freeze 12 Is also good, but I was just told today that you have to have a certification or whatever to buy any of those R12 replacements because they are all a blend and have CFCs in them. I have an AC guy that does my heat pump work at my home and I think he would buy it for me. Maybe different states have different laws about how much CFCs can be in a product and be available for general purchase? I thought I remebered both Hot Shot and Freeze 12 in stores somewhere like Pep Boys or advance.
I'd just flush the system, replace all the o rings with the green ones, and charge it with R 134A. I've done it many times with no problems.
Sometimes when you screw the adaptors on they dont come back off for 1, 2-the pressure in the system usually runs higher if it gets real hot outside. When I convert I always flush the system,change the accum/drier,orfice tube,as many o-rings that I can get to,use one of them cans with the uv dye,make sure I have Plenty of air flow through the condensor.Note: Not responsible for freezer burns!LOL By the way, I have an AC liscence and I can't (by the rules) buy freon (12) for someone. Having the liscence means I can and know how to use certain machines used to service and store freon,a benifet is being able to purchase freon.No liscence is required for 134 that I am aware of at this time though. I personaly would like to be the one actually performing the recharge when asked "Can you buy me some freon"...(the system should already be empty when I show up ). The fine and penalty is something I couldn't afford,just my
I agree, it is best to change the drier anytime the system has been open to the air, but as for the adaptor fittings, I always leave them on. Some of the ones I have bought have a thread locking compound on the inside that makes them nearly impossible to remove. I make sure the adaptor has its own shrader valve in it, then I remove the shrader valve from the original R-12 line before I install the adaptor. If you don't, most of the time you can't use the port because both valves won't open fully. About 3 12oz cans of R 134A with a 6oz oil charge is usually right. Also, Blugene is correct about the fines from improperly using R 12. You have to have a license and a recovery machine to LEGALLY charge a A/C with R 12. R 134A is still being sold at Wal-Mart the last time I checked, but the price has jumped up from what it was last year. I paid $6 a can just about a month ago, seen it in Autozone last week for $12 a can! I'd say about $75 should charge a system with R 134 A if you did it your self, a R 12 charge would probably be $200- $300 and you can't do it unless you have the proper equipment and license. Our wonderful Federal Government at work.....make it hard on the little man.
"By the way, I have an AC liscence and I can't (by the rules) buy freon (12) for someone. Having the liscence means I can and know how to use certain machines used to service and store freon" Yes I understand. My feeling is that hot shot is a blend with much lower CFCs then R12 and I can purchase a number of items with CFCs without any lic. so if I pressure check or vacuum check the system first I don't have any moral problems with charging the system myself. The local Air shop won't change to R134 unless they change the compressor. ( I already have the new drier) and want 800.00 to do the job. Also living in VA we get pretty hot humid summers so the benifit of R12 or Hot Shot are what I am looking for. I would rather just go with Hot Shot because of lower CFCs (and cost) and do it myself.
Stick with r134a. SOme of those blends contain propane. Propane makes an excellet refridgerant but the explosive nature of propane isn't what you want in a ton plus flying death machine. Although it adds to the excitement of a wreck I bet. To do a retrofit "right" IMO and those that trained me MAC ASE etc..... YOu should do the following. Replace compressor,Reciever/Drier or accumulator, orfiice tube or expansion valve, flush the sytem with a/c flush solvent, if not equiped install a high pressure cut of switch(hint fords never installed them until r134a)for the compressor. Add appropriate amount of oil, vacuum system for 45min, add a little dye(helpful for finding leaks) charge r134a less 10 percent than your R12. Now can you do it with out all of this, sure and sometimes you get by with it and other times your compressor goes BOOM
OK Badmav (and others), you convinced me. Except I think I will try changing all you recomend except the compressor. If it goes BOOM then I am only out the refrigerant and will replace the compressor then. One question, the Ford system, how much oil is recommended for the factory system?
If your compressor is in good shape you shouldn't have any problems. The old style York-Techumsuh compressors are bullitproof, I have one on my 2000 International Eagle, I run about 135,000 miles a year and a compressor usely lasts about 2-3 years with R 134A. So if you put 5000-6000 miles a year on your car that old York might last 5-10 years! I use one of the small 6 oz cans of oil,unless its a new compressor, then I use 2 6oz cans.
Unfortunatly if and whenever the compressor goes "BOOM", 10 out of 10 times I had to replace the condensor. 1badmav is right about those blended products, they also go "BOOM". I made the comment about the fittings cause sometimes people decide the conversion isnt what they expected or it failed to cooperate , then when you try to remove it, then, . If you get a hold of a set of a GOOD set of guages(with hoses of corse), you dont need adaptors. I have Snap On so... Also, I have seen where some ac hose makers can install a sight glass, might considor if you have any hoses you are making sometime. Good luck to you and be careful!
Talk about going "BOOM", I had to complete an estimate on a '97 Ford F150 that had been towed into our insurance facility. When I first saw this p/u come in I noticed shrapnel sticking through the grille area. I opened the hood and, my goodness, the condenser was completely obliterated along with both lines and the back of the compressor blew off and took out the lt.valve cover and the ft.two rockers leaving who knows what crap inside the head. We investigated this one and it turns out that the p/u had been hit about six months prior and was repaired at some back yard body shop. Apparently the owner of the p/u had an a/c licence and decided that he was going to recharge himself. He used one of these products that has propane in it. Now propane makes for an excellent coolant but not at these consequences. The owner of the p/u stated that was the first time he ever turned the a/c on since he repaired it, he flicked the switch as he was driving and it exploded, scared the living s*** out of the guy, but served him right, he should've known better. By the way, we ended up denying the claim.
