Community Forums

ChasL · 01-13-2013, 05:47 PM

I have a 1988 Class C on Ford 460 Chassis and has R12 refrigerant I would like to convert it to R134 Or?. Any suggestions from those that have done this will be greatly appreciated

TXiceman · 01-13-2013, 06:17 PM

R134a conversion often requires replacing, o-rings and some times hoses. You will need to flush the oil from the system and recharge to system with an oil that is compatible with R134a.

For a system like yours, you can leave the hoses, oil and o-rings alone and replace the refrigerant with a blend like Hot Shot (trade name). The auto shops like to do the conversion to R-134a so they can make more money. Some shops will try to short cut the proper procedure which usually winds up in a problem.

With the blend, you need to evacuate the system to get all of the R-12 out and then recharge with Hot Shot.
ICOR International, Inc.

Ken

Arch Hoagland · 01-13-2013, 07:30 PM

I had mine converted during a trip on a 1991 Miata in San Antonio, Texas that specialized in auto A/C.
The original system had leaks and they went through and replaced various lines and rings, etc and set it up for R134.
It was about $150 as I recall and the best money I ever spent as it was 100 degree weather that whole trip.

whem2fish · 01-14-2013, 05:20 AM

Or look at R12A available here south of ft worth for $13 a can

ksg5000 · 01-14-2013, 07:51 AM

The other alternative is to just buy R12 - price has dropped.

ReelTime · 01-14-2013, 11:40 AM

Chase L: I have a 1990 class C Rockwood motor home also with a 460.

The chassis air conditioning on mine leaks down about 3 or 4 ounces over the winter. The result is in the spring my AC will blow cool not cold air.

There is a lot of information pertaining to the changeover from r12 to r134a floating around. I am sure someone smarter than I has assimilated all the information and has decided for themselves how best to tackle the issue.

I chose to order a product called "Envir O safe" from an eBay vendor. $35.00 for 4, six ounce cans with free shipping. This is a r12 and r134a replacement with a dye to help locate a leak.

It has worked for me for the past three years, just not used enough to get the dye content high enough to find the leak.

powerboatr · 01-14-2013, 02:33 PM

in 1996 i switched my 1992 f250 r12 system to r134
i used interdynamics kit
it was not a hard process, but the system has to be leak free and 100% operational before you start
it was a complete kit
except the system had a chemical you added after it was purged and vacuumed down that protected the o-rings

if your system has VITON rings already you dont need to change them out
being you have a 1990, its doubtful your o rings are compatible

but if they are....it was under 100 dollars to do the refit
plus the rental of a vacuum pump to purge the system