My crx has a d16y8. Doesn't that mean that I could use R134a?

If not, how exactly does the R134a contaminate my ac system?

 

bump

 

more than likely when the y8 swap was done, they kept your stock CRX compressor. And if they did so, while technically designed as an R12 system many people have converted to R134 with no problems.

If you're going to inject it with R134, do it right. The only way it could be a contaminate is if someone mixed it with R12.

 

^^^
he speaks the truth

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jonathan_ED3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...The only way it could be a contaminate is if someone mixed it with R12.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So this is true? Only if it is mixed with r12?

 

Correct. R134 has been used successfully millions of times over in all sorts of HVAC technologies. It only becomes a problem if you try to mix it with R12.

If you want to convert to R134, have a professional pull a vacuum on your system to completely empty it. And replace your drier!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jonathan_ED3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you want to convert to R134, have a professional pull a vacuum on your system to completely empty it. And replace your drier!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for all the advice, Jonathan!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jonathan_ED3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Correct. R134 has been used successfully millions of times over in all sorts of HVAC technologies. It only becomes a problem if you try to mix it with R12.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That all depends on what you consider to constitute a 'problem'. The fact of the matter is that R134a just doesn't work really well when used in a system originally intended for R12, even when the conversion is 'properly' carried out. R134a is just not a very good refrigerant, and requires an 'overbuilt' A/C (compared to one that uses R12) to work well. Also, compressor discharge pressures are higher with R134a, which can cause problems like blown compressor seals on old, time-worn compressors. So think about these things before you jump on the R134a bandwagon. Think particularly about the loss in cooling capacity, because this WILL happen, regardless of who does the job. The CRX A/C is not the strongest in the world out of the box. Add R134a to the mix, and it certainly doesn't get better.

 

I paid about $180 to recharge my AC with R12 at Speedys. My charge is all out now. Will I save money if I just recharge it myself with R134a, or should I just take it to Speedys again?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Famadico &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I paid about $180 to recharge my AC with R12 at Speedys. My charge is all out now. Will I save money if I just recharge it myself with R134a, or should I just take it to Speedys again?</TD></TR></TABLE>

First, you need to find out where it is leaking from. Fix the leak and then have it refilled with R12.

 

Yeah I'm actually going to use a repair kit from Autozone to find the leak and seal it if possible.

I hope its worth my time. A shop is charging my $45 for a diagnositic but I bought the kit for $25

 

R12 is colder than R134a isn't it?

 

how does that cold shot r12 substitute work in comparison to r12 an 134? has anyone used it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pimpwagon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how does that cold shot r12 substitute work in comparison to r12 an 134? has anyone used it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've never used that.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lude Acts &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">R12 is colder than R134a isn't it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is this true?

 

you CAN'T put r134 into an r12 system, and if you lost your r12, there is a problem which needs fixing, not recharging. Then the above people are correct, r12 cools better, pay the price and get it refilled. once your ac system is fixed, it won't leak for a long time. The leak finding kits are gonna be r134 based, which is bad. We do free AC inspections at my shop, and I'm sure if you hunt around you can find a shop willing to do the same in your area. If your AC system is just low, be careful of the shop you go to when you get it charged. Many places charge you for all the R12 that gets put back into your system, even when most of it was recycled out of your car in the first place. R12 is expensive and hard to come by these days, so don't overpay for it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bigcalidave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you CAN'T put r134 into an r12 system, and if you lost your r12, there is a problem which needs fixing, not recharging. Then the above people are correct, r12 cools better, pay the price and get it refilled. once your ac system is fixed, it won't leak for a long time. The leak finding kits are gonna be r134 based, which is bad. We do free AC inspections at my shop, and I'm sure if you hunt around you can find a shop willing to do the same in your area. If your AC system is just low, be careful of the shop you go to when you get it charged. Many places charge you for all the R12 that gets put back into your system, even when most of it was recycled out of your car in the first place. R12 is expensive and hard to come by these days, so don't overpay for it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm actually not too certain if I lost my R12. I should have put this in the original post: I unscrewed a bolt that was connected to a hose on the compressor (don't ask why) and air had shot up for about 30 seconds and died out. Later, after screwing it back in, I started the car and drove out to test if that had messed up my AC. My air was definately not getting cold at all. Maybe it was the weather, but the air was warm.

Is it possible that I still have R12 in my system?

 

Uh, yeah.. its gone. lol. Why you taking apart the AC?? If you release the refridgerant near an open flame it makes phosgene gas... bad

 

not a chance

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bigcalidave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Uh, yeah.. its gone. lol. Why you taking apart the AC?? If you release the refridgerant near an open flame it makes phosgene gas... bad </TD></TR></TABLE>

I was being an idiot like, "Oh I wonder what this thing does? DOH!!." Every time I think about it, it gets me pissed that I just wasted roughly $180 worth of R12

I deserved it and now i'm trying to make the best of it by saving some money recharging it myself compared to taking it to Speedys.


btw: Should I still seek a professional to vaccum/discharge the refrigerant?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Famadico &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I deserved it and now i'm trying to make the best of it by saving some money recharging it myself compared to taking it to Speedys.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Keep in mind that unless you have a hookup, you can't buy R12 unless you are a licensed refrigeration tech.

 

I don't have any hookups at all. I was referring to R134a. I think its about $20/lb compared to R12's $60/lb.

Correct me if i'm wrong. I'm sure the price varies.

 

How long does R12 normally last in a system that has no leaks anway?

 

You can buy R134A cans at just about any auto parts place for like $6 each or a complete fill can for $25. I have heard of successful R12 to R134A conversions from simply replacing o-rings. Can't say if R12 will last longer than R134A. I have heard that people thought R134A retrofitted into their R12 system wasn't as cold as the original R12.

 

I'm not sure what all you guys are saying about R12 being colder than R134a. Have you tested it with a thermostat because I just bought the retrofit kit from Autozone for like $35, did it myself, and my ac has been blowing ice cold for a month straight now no problems at all. I didn't replace the drier, I just made sure all the R12 was out as best I could and then put damn near 3 cans of the R134a in there. It was much cheaper and easier than having some mechanic do it that was going to do the same thing I did anyways.

 

I disagree... I pumped my '89 HB's (R12 based) system down, then installed the R134a conversion kit from Advance/Discount Auto. Total cost was about $40 and 2-3 hours of time, mostly spent baby-sitting the system with my neighbor (an HVAC tech) managing the vacuum pump and the gages. The original system didn't have any problems other than it was just low on R12 to start with (most likely from lack of use and the fact that the previous owner had removed the caps off the shrader valves).

The 'new' R134a system is working just fine for over 9 months now, and I use it almost every day here in FL. The only time I've not been frozen out of the car is right after I start the system up when its been sitting in the sun all afternoon in the parking lot.

Just my own experience, your mileage may vary.