Metro Detroit R12 air service

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danox574

Forum Member
I have a car on R12 that has bubbles visible when the compressor is on in the sight glass and I have a few cans of R12. I know it's low, and compressor shuts down after running for 10 minutes or so and requires it to sit for a while before I can turn it back on. Some people have suggested my low pressure (60psi) on the low side would cause that, but there's always the possibility that the compressor has issues (it's a 1985) or maybe the switch in the compressor needs service (which will require depressurizing the system). I have a decent amount of R12 in there that needs proper handling.

If the car really truly NEEDS a R134a conversion, or that is the only economical option, I wouldn't want to have some kit from Autozone installed where you dump in refrigerant with Pag oil, I'd want the system serviced, rings replaced, and filled properly after pressure testing (and probably replace the drier, but I don't understand all the details on that).

So I'm looking for someone who still deals in R12. It is still legal to service, but the supplies are low and most shops have abandoned it.

Most shops only want to deal in R134a now -- the last 'reputable' shop that was recommended to me told me they'd dump the R12 into the atmosphere and convert it. This is not what I want. Ultimately, they recommended the conversion and upon further questioning revealed that they only recommended it because that's what they do and that's how they make money -- they were unable to actually look at the options.

So, does anyone have a shop in the area who will deal with this as an R12 system and help me weigh my options based on what is best, not what they happen to want to do to make some cash?

(R12 is too short of a search term for the forum)

Thanks
 
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I've switched 2 older cars over to r-134 in the past. Both ac units worked fine after the conversion. Make sure the system is vacuumed out and done correctly. I was always told that the accumulator should be replaced at the same time. I think the biggest problem your going to have with a shop using r-12 is that they may not be able to get any r-12. Why the resistance to go to r-134?
 
I have heard the R12 compressors don't pump as much as the 134 compressors. So after a conversion on my dakota years ago it wasn't as cold.

Posted a while back on why and the compressor was the thought on why it wasn't as cold. The suggestion was to get a 134 compressor off a newer dakota and install it.

Not sure if any of that would help you. Just some fyi to think about.
 
Make sure all the R-12 oil is GONE before you put any PAG in there. You'll need a compressor shortly after if you don't.
 
TWOBEERS said:
Why the resistance to go to r-134?
Click to expand...

R134a doesn't work as well because the components work harder to cool with it. Systems designed for R12 sometimes don't perform well, but R134a designed systems do quite well. The only potentially good reason to convert to R134a is because you've lost your refrigerant and you don't want to pay R12 prices for a refill. I happen to have 60psi in the system and two cans sitting on the shelf, so I don't want to risk ending up in a system that doesn't work as well as it could with extra expense.

Unfortunately, like with the Dakota, there are no R134a parts that bolt into my car.

I will call Oylmpia and Sunny's, thanks for the suggestions.
 
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