R-134 conversion

jgillespie · 06-21-2010, 04:23 PM

My girlfriend really want this '90 XJ from a local private seller. Everything runs well except for the AC. The seller admits that the r-12 system is not working well. I habe read a lot about people doing an r-134 conversion. I just wanted to know if any of you guys had done this conversion and what all it entails.

J

tangofox007 · 06-21-2010, 04:39 PM

I did it on one vehicle. And I won't do it again. In fact, I converted that vehicle back to R-12. The R-134a just did not cut it.

jgillespie · 06-21-2010, 05:11 PM

What made it so bad? Im curious about this because i know you need a license to handle the r-12...which is not much of a problem, just seems to not work as well according to google

tangofox007 · 06-21-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgillespie

What made it so bad?

The cooling performance was quite marginal.

jgillespie · 06-21-2010, 05:32 PM

Ok cool. Thanks for your help and insight pal

carconnoisseur · 06-23-2010, 05:04 AM

The proper way to convert to R-134a is to change all of the fittings and lines. It did not cool as well because r134a is intended to run through larger lines and fittings. I true conversion should be a royal pain in the a** because you should be changing every line and fitting that you have. It is a better idea to recharge with R-12 unless you are planning on redoing every line in the cooling system.

hidperf · 06-24-2010, 07:35 AM

My 92 was converter to 134a by the PO but hasn't worked since I've owned it the last 6 months. I just replaced the expansion valve and drier and charged it last night. It blows so cold that when I left the shop I had to turn it down after only a mile of driving and this morning I never turned it past the low speed on the fan. The key thing to remember is not to use the same amount of 134a as you would R12. 80% is what I've been finding out. My system called for 2.38lbs of R12 so I put in 1.9lbs of 134a.

Of course it's been upper 90's here all week until today.

cajunbull61 · 06-24-2010, 07:26 PM

My daughter had her 92 converted today. They changed the expansion valve and fittings and pulled a vacuum then recharged with r134. Seems to work great. I did a conversion on my 91 but it didn't work well. Probably should have changed the drier and expansion valve and flushed before recharging. I may try to do that soon... it's been blazing and very humid here in Ga.