What's it cost to recharge the AC In a car?

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Scootin159

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2001
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It's a 1987, so I'm sure it uses the old stuff. Can I still find the old stuff or is it worth the $$$$ for the conversion kit? How hard is it to do myself if I can find the stuff?

BTW...all the AC Components are good, but the AC is just weak (it's chilled...but VERY faint).
 
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SweetBaboo

Senior member
Oct 25, 2001
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you cannot get the old stuff anymore as it's now illegal to put in cars...
you could get the car converted, but that's really expensive...i did it last year...the converted it and added new coolant or whatever you call it...was $175 and it only lasted a year as there was a leak that they didn't bother to fix even though they checked and would not honor their job saying they aren't responsible for leaks??
I bought a bottle of refridgerant or whatever it is for my updated system...costed me about 20 bucks...i needed the air con this summer as it was really blazing...
they do sell conversion kits I think...I don't know how it works, but it's only about 40 some dollars...if it really works, I'd say it's worth your money...make sure you can find the right intake valves for the job...
 

If you are going to convert your A/C from R12 to R134a.,you must remove the compressor from the vehicle and drain the R12 oil out of it before filling it with R134a (PAG) oil.
You must then evacuate the system with a vacuum pump,install the conversion kit,charge with PAG oil,then R134a.
 
Freejack2

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
7,751
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Edit: Nevermind, they said it all. R12 was discontinued from sale in 95. Here is a quote I found.
Production of R12 or CFC-12 was halted by the clean air act on January 1, 1996. Today the remaining supplies are product which has been recovered and reclaimed back to a chemically pure state in accordance with ARI-700 standards. The ARI standard is basically a virgin specification. The supply of virgin product is limited as most of the virgin was depleted in the first and second years after production ceased.
PRODUCTION CEASED IN 1995
Click to expand...
 
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Scootin159

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2001
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Originally posted by: Roger
If you are going to convert your A/C from R12 to R134a.,you must remove the compressor from the vehicle and drain the R12 oil out of it before filling it with R134a (PAG) oil.
You must then evacuate the system with a vacuum pump,install the conversion kit,charge with PAG oil,then R134a.
Click to expand...

Can I use the same compressor though? (a new one for my car is ~$600)
 

Yes you can,as long as you do not mix the two oils together,does not have to be spotlessly cleaned,just drain the compressor by tipping it upside down.
The two oils are not compatable with each other.
 
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gump47371

Senior member
Dec 18, 2001
726
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Check around at your local garages, they can still get R-12 (don't ask, don't tell). But you need to get someone you trust to do the work for you, as it is $40-50/pound, and it takes 2-2.5 pounds for a average size car. And if they put it in, and it leaks out, you still have no A/C, plus are out ~$150. It can be done though.

If you go with the conversion, listen to Roger, what he is saying is true.
 
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T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
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100 bucks here... atleast that is what they are advertising.
Click to expand...
Many places will advertise A/C service for $29 to $39 + the cost of new freon. As the others have indicated, the old R-12 will be hard to come by. Someone should have some on-hand, though. Even though the U.S. has banned it, I saw a report a few years back where the freon was being illegally imported from Mexico and other countries.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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So you guys are saying that people who need a refill of freon in their < '96 vehicles, they will need to convert the system entirely?

My A/C has a leak in it (they said compressor) but my mechanic threw in some freon for testing. I've been able to use that (with the supposed leak) for 3 summers now. And my car is only 7 years old at this point. Hell, it seems it'll last the same with or without a leak. What do you recommend I do ? It's lost all the cool air again...
 
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PsychoAndy

Lifer
Dec 31, 2000
10,735
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Originally posted by: wje
100 bucks here... atleast that is what they are advertising.
Click to expand...
Many places will advertise A/C service for $29 to $39 + the cost of new freon. As the others have indicated, the old R-12 will be hard to come by. Someone should have some on-hand, though. Even though the U.S. has banned it, I saw a report a few years back where the freon was being illegally imported from Mexico and other countries.
Click to expand...

IIRC it is still being made in India and other countries. A post above specifies that it is illegal to produce, but I think it may still be legal to import.

Production may have ceased in 95, but I was once told production runs doubled the amount of product produced in 94.

$50/pound? Thats $1750 for a tank...last I heard it was closer to $1900.

Theres an A/C joint around here doing R-12 repair and recharges. They quoted us $750 to do an accumulator, compressor, dryer, lines and freon for a 93 chevy. I didnt think repairs were outlawed, were they?

-PAB
 
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michaelh20

Senior member
Sep 4, 2000
482
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0
>>you cannot get the old stuff anymore as it's now illegal to put in cars...

I know this isn't true in Minnesota at least. I paid on the range of $300 or $400 to get my system checked out and recharged with the old stuff. Then it all leaked out a day or two later, after a pipe burst. The guy said it was a crap shoot and that often when they fix one thing another thing will break and leak out all of the stuff. Since this, in my case costs I think 60-75$/pound (3.75 pounds in my case), this can get pretty expensive if things keep breaking.

If you get it fixed, don't *count* on it staying fixed, although it may.

Wasn't there also some people complaining that the conversions don't work very well/and that they were scams? I'd make really sure that it the old stuff is really illegal where you are.
 
db

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
You *can* get a re-charge of R12. If it's not leaking terribly bad, it can just be re-charged w/o repair, at least in most states.
Check EPA's site for info, and your state's for info, b/c many repair shops will try and rip you off for much more work or $ than is really necessary.
 
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me4get

Member
May 24, 2000
116
0
76
You Can still get R12, you need to be certified to buy. Here is a place to take the test online www.epatest.com. It's multiple choice, open book test. If converting to R134a, go with POE oil.
Make sure the system is leak free, and vacuum to 29mmHg.
 
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