Is $250 a good price to convert AC from R12 to R134?
06-02-03, 04:09 PM
#1
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Is $250 a good price to convert AC from R12 to R134?
Took my car in for a recharge of R12 and they suggested to convert it to R 134 and quoted me $250 for the job. This is a reputable Toyota, Lexus shop but I figured I'd ask as I'm sure many folks have probably taken this route.
Thanks.
Thanks.
06-02-03, 04:51 PM
#2
All they are doing is collecting the R-12. A retrofit kit is about 35 bucks for everything you need. Takes 2 minutes and has only two screw on adapters. However, it does not cool as well as r-12. If you have a leak, do the swap. Plus, Walmart carries the UV dyed coolant to find a leak, the improved coolant, oil, and all that other important stuff.
06-09-03, 11:15 AM
#3
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Do not drain the R-12 yourself! Aside from releasing freon into the atmosphere, if you don't know what you are doing, R-12 (or any refrigerant) is highly toxic to you, your eyes, and your skin,etc. If it gets into contact with your skin it can freeze your hands on the spot (causing loss of fingers or enitre hand), much like what you've seen liquid nitrogen do to people in the movies. $250 is not a bad price since it does take them some time to do the retrofit. Make sure the price includes changing the o-rings and that they will completely vacuum out the system, so no r-12 oil mixes w/ the r134. R-134 needs o-rings made out of a different material than R-12. R-134 is a smaller molecule, so it will leak out if the o-rings are not replaced with something compatible.
If you don't have any leaks, consider charging it w/ R-12 instead of doing the retrofit. What they haven't told you is
1) the EPA is trying to restrict the sale of R134 so that only lic. tech. can buy it. the price will go up just like r-12 so the "long term" savings of the retrofit is gone.
2) R134 runs under much higher pressure than r-12. when I thought the retrofit was "the thing to do," my mechanic told me that if I switch to r134 and then want to drive somewhere hot, I will need to bring my car to the shop for "adjustments" because of this pressure difference (apparently so the system doesn't explode). I didn't ask how much these would cost, but what is the point of A/C that needs adjustments when the weather is hot?
If you don't have any leaks, consider charging it w/ R-12 instead of doing the retrofit. What they haven't told you is
1) the EPA is trying to restrict the sale of R134 so that only lic. tech. can buy it. the price will go up just like r-12 so the "long term" savings of the retrofit is gone.
2) R134 runs under much higher pressure than r-12. when I thought the retrofit was "the thing to do," my mechanic told me that if I switch to r134 and then want to drive somewhere hot, I will need to bring my car to the shop for "adjustments" because of this pressure difference (apparently so the system doesn't explode). I didn't ask how much these would cost, but what is the point of A/C that needs adjustments when the weather is hot?
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