Hey All, Never had to recharge the AC on a minicab, does anyone else have any experience with this? Also, I am assuming that this is old freon and not the new stuff can someone confirm this also? Thanks!
More than likely most are R12. I've done a few retro's, flushed oil, orfices and all, not on KEI but should be similar. I worked at a shop that did a bunch of cars just by adding the adapters and freon and they worked great. I know its not the correct way to do it but it seems to work fine. I had a Honda Accord a did the same thing and the AC worked great by just pumping the R134A in. -Greg
Really, you just pumped the R13 directly in and didn't have any problems? I have no experience with AC on a mini truck or otherwise so I'm a complete novice with AC.
Yep, done several without problems. Like I said its not the correct way, but it works. If you want you can go 1 step further and remove the compressor, dump the oil out of it (measure how much you get out) add new oil. Blow some rubbing alchohol through the system with a air compressor, replace the compressor and fill with R134a. -Greg
a/c retrofitting I would not suggest getting any cleaners in the condenser or evaporator especially on parallel flow type because the fluids may get trapped and cause damage to the system. most modern r134 systems use a pag type oil but most retrofit kits come with ester type oil that is compatible with the mineral based oil in r12 systems also the o rings used in r12 systems tend to be a different rubber type so i would suggest replacing those as well and r12 hoses tend to leak more than r134 hoses. Also the dryers should never have flushes ran thru them and older models have a different type of desiccant in them that may not be compatible with newer refrigerants and oils. Never use A/C sealers. UV dyes are ok. is suggested to use nitrogen to flush the system and vacuum the system to get any moisture/air out of the system at a minimum of 15 minutes longer is better and the system should hold a vacuum,if not you may have a leak
I happened to have several old cans of r-12 and a manifold with a puncture adaptor. I just flowed the gas into the low pressure side until the bubbles in the view window of the dryer stopped. Blows fog on humid days now. r-12 is still available,( albeit expensive) and these little guys dont use very much. I wouldn't bother with a retrofit.
I have a 93 Subaru and it was charged with 134A. It indicated that on the compressor and the fill valve was like US 134A valves. My 134A gauge set worked perfectly.