Question for the gurus.

Looking to get the AC checked and I'm guessing recharged. I have converted four previous Hondas from R12 to the newest, greatest fix, and they all SUCKED! My 88 still has OG r12, and I have been trying to find someone to diagnose, and or charge it without changing the system. Is it illegal for businesses to recharge with r12? I haven't been able to find anyone willing. If I bring them r12 I got from Ebay or craigslist, would they be able to accommodate? Are there shops that still carry and will be glad to rape me for the r12 and cool me down as well?

I guess I am looking for a lead, in the LA area, for a shop willing to work on the r12 and not try and convert it to some new crap that works worse than what I have now.

Symptoms. Works OK for a bit, then blows hot(ter) for a bit then cools down for a bit.

 

probably illegal for any shop to do it, if you can get the R12 just do it yourself, you should be able to get the hose at any local auto store like napa or autozone.

I think the gov. banned r12 because of environmental reasons aka tree-huggers in California.

 

Wrong

 

change the fitting on the hose and you can use the newer type avail everywhere..

 

Not at all that simple.

 

There are alternatives like envirosafe es12 that are supposed to be good, even compatible with r12. Last I knew, some shops can still recharge r12 but it is expensive.

 

Sounds like you need more than just a recharge.

If you want good AC I would suggest you open up your evaporator box and clean it out.
You will be surprised what lives in there. If you smoke, or if previous owners smoked, then you might consider removing it and solvent washing it.
I had a car that the previous owner smoked in AND had a cat in. Freaking grossssss.

Either way, you can discharge the system and then replace the expansion valve in the evaporator box. Get one for R134 - R12 is stupid expensive. A proper R134 conversion will work very close to the same.

Get a R134 conversion kit.
Replace all the O-rings with R134 compatible O-rings at every connection through the entire AC system.

Replace the dryer/filter (hidden behind the driver side headlight)

Take it to an AC shop and have them draw a vacuum on the system several times to pull out as much of the old oil from the lines that they can.

Have then charge it and add leak dye.
Test....

DONE

 

^^ Good advice. You can do all that yourself as well, rent the vacuum pump from autozone or just buy one like I did. The o-ring kit and drier are cheap.