R12-R134a AC Conversion? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Dean · 2009-07-17, 12:35 PM

Anybody done one on a Subaru. Debbie's L will likely need one after finding the leak.

AC compressor won't kick on no matter what buttons you press, but clutch kicks in and compressor turns fine if you hot-wire it.

I am assuming there is a low pressure switch and thus that there is a leak and the system is empty.

Read This Link on Nasioc, but would like to talk to someone who has done one.

Dad has a vacuum pump and gauges I can borrow. Not sure how you find a leak in an uncharged/vacuum system. Dye isn't going to help. Seems silly to charge a system to find a leak.

Heard Walmart has "kits"... not sure what is in them... Assume it needs a drier, oil and R134A.

Personally, I think Rachel should just rough it...

This is going to be her college car.

Kevin M · 2009-07-17, 12:41 PM

It's easy. Just need one of the kits to change all the seals, then take it to a pro to be evacuated and charged.There is no way to do that at home. The charge will be $120 or so, but the seal kit is really cheap and there's nothing real difficult about replacing them.

MPREZIV · 2009-07-18, 10:22 AM

^what he said.

knucklesplitter · 2009-07-18, 11:46 AM

I have done this before on a couple non-Subies way back when. The AC will not work as well as it would on a full R12 charge, but it will work much better than no AC at all.

cody · 2009-07-19, 11:47 AM

Just curious, what does my AC use? Whatever it is, it rocks!

MPREZIV · 2009-07-19, 12:34 PM

Yours is R134-a. R-12 only came in older cars. Typically early 90's and back. R-12 cools better than R134-a, but the EPA decided that it's too damaging to the environment if the ac system develops a leak, so 134 was developed and is considered "less harmful"...

100_Percent_Juice · 2009-07-19, 02:00 PM

Which I think is weird because it tastes the same.

Kevin M · 2009-07-19, 04:15 PM

Do they both taste like burning?

MPREZIV · 2009-07-20, 06:35 AM

yes

2009-07-17, 12:35 PM	#1
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	R12-R134a AC Conversion? Anybody done one on a Subaru. Debbie's L will likely need one after finding the leak. AC compressor won't kick on no matter what buttons you press, but clutch kicks in and compressor turns fine if you hot-wire it. I am assuming there is a low pressure switch and thus that there is a leak and the system is empty. Read This Link on Nasioc, but would like to talk to someone who has done one. Dad has a vacuum pump and gauges I can borrow. Not sure how you find a leak in an uncharged/vacuum system. Dye isn't going to help. Seems silly to charge a system to find a leak. Heard Walmart has "kits"... not sure what is in them... Assume it needs a drier, oil and R134A. Personally, I think Rachel should just rough it... This is going to be her college car. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-07-17, 12:41 PM	#2
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	It's easy. Just need one of the kits to change all the seals, then take it to a pro to be evacuated and charged.There is no way to do that at home. The charge will be $120 or so, but the seal kit is really cheap and there's nothing real difficult about replacing them. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-07-18, 10:22 AM	#3
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	^what he said. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2009-07-19, 11:47 AM	#5
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Just curious, what does my AC use? Whatever it is, it rocks! __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-07-19, 12:34 PM	#6
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	Yours is R134-a. R-12 only came in older cars. Typically early 90's and back. R-12 cools better than R134-a, but the EPA decided that it's too damaging to the environment if the ac system develops a leak, so 134 was developed and is considered "less harmful"... __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2009-07-18, 11:46 AM	#4
knucklesplitter EJ205 Real Name: Matt Taylor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cousin-Fck, Carolina Posts: 1,475 Wish in one hand and sht in the other...	I have done this before on a couple non-Subies way back when. The AC will not work as well as it would on a full R12 charge, but it will work much better than no AC at all.

2009-07-19, 02:00 PM	#7
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	Which I think is weird because it tastes the same. __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2009-07-19, 04:15 PM	#8
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Do they both taste like burning? __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-07-20, 06:35 AM	#9
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	yes __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New fuel conversion kit for cars...	badrover	Off Topic Chat	1	2007-11-08 01:42 PM
Possible Wagon conversion?	100_Percent_Juice	General Subaru Discussion & Club Chat	54	2007-05-31 02:46 PM
H1 hid conversion	renoguy20	Technical Chat	3	2006-05-27 09:44 PM