I'm still using R-12 on my 89 crx, the compressor shaft is starting to leak so any suggestions on upgrading to r-134a? Can I keep the same condenser or does everything have to be replaced??

 

when i did my first conversion i just refilled with the r134a and it sucked.
when i went ahead and flushed all the lines, replaced o-rings, put in a parallel flow condenser, new drier/receiver, new expansion valve, new evaporator, and filled with the correct amount of r134a and matching oil it worked better, but still not as good as r12 did.

 

Wow it must have cost a fortune to replace every part like that. Of course it will never work as good as r12 I know that. Why did you change the evaporater? What kind of compressor did you use?

 

I changed it because a 20 year old evaporator is never in good shape, aluminum oxidizes and crap is all in the fins. Its not efficient.

In the past just stock used or rebuilds though i never relaxed them unless they had failed. Currently I'm using a chinese sanden clone.

 

Upgrade to the TRS090 unless you want to repeatedly change the TR70 over the life of the car due to repeated shaft seal failures. I'm on my fourth TR70 in about 6 years. See my sig.

 

Yes use a sanden compressor from a later motel d series, there are threads for the conversion that are very helpful. I used the hoses for a tr70 on the trs090, you just need to drill the bolt holes some and bend the lines a little bit. Rock auto has a gpd trs090 for 140.00. the belt for a late model civic works perfect, 32 inches. I paid about 400.00 for total at rock auto. New condenser, expansion valve, drier, hoses, freon, belt. fgv

 

Looks like my shaft seal is starting to leak slightly after 2 years on the gpd tr70....once it's done i will run the newer conpressor.

 

On my previous car, I just replaced the compressor and dryer, then went back with R-12. I was getting 33 degree center vent temps with an outside temp of 92 degrees with 80 percent humidity, with fan on 2. It was awesome.

My new EF was already converted to R134 when I bought it. It gets down to about 46 degree center vent temps with same conditions. It sucks ballz. I will be switching it back to R-12 as soon as the compressor craps the bed.

Lesson learned here: Stick with R-12. It was designed for it.

 

Its too bad R-12 is so hard to find / expensive here in SoCal. My compressor failed a little while ago and was considering doing the conversion.

 

I can still find R-12 in Texas. My brother has a license for refrigeration.