A/C question.

[BrianO]

How many of you are still using the original A/C compressor in your SVO's? anyone converted them to R134a?

any issues? how's the cooling?

I've been runngin without A/C since the day I bought the car from a friend, it didn't work before that. I never needed it so I just removed the belt but now that summer is here and it's my daily driver.. 100+ degrees makes for a very sweaty back and butt..

any common issues with the A/C system like pressure switches, etc?

thx
B.

[1jesusislove]

Hey Brain,

I'd also be interested in those answers.

A/C on my SVO does not work. Have never tried flipping the switch, I was just told my the previous owner. He also told me the A/C system was not very environmentally friendly...and so it's extremely expensive to get it fixed. I think he said something about needing to change the hoses, upgrade the system to use a different coolant?

I don't have a clue about any of this, can anyone inform? My impression of what he said was that it's the LAST thing he would consider doing to the car because of the expense. I'm not really sure what is wrong with the A/C in the first place. This is something I would eventually like to do though...summer's a comin'.

[BrianO]

they did change the coolant to a more friendly R134a from I think R12 which was not Ozone friendly at all. I have a sticker on mine saying it's been converted. Hell I still have 2 cases of R12 sitting around.

[SVOinDC]

they did change the coolant to a more friendly R134a from I think R12 which was not Ozone friendly at all. I have a sticker on mine saying it's been converted. Hell I still have 2 cases of R12 sitting around.

R12?? I want I want I want!!!!!

[1jesusislove]

Do you know what the cost is to do a conversion? What else would it take to get my AC up and running (or would someone have to personally examine it) ?

[trainford308]

Mine still has the original R12. Still works OK. The R34A is slitely less efficent.

Tom

[SVOJames]

My 2R has original AC, it works great.

My blue car is converted to R134a, so far it's more than cool enough, but we haven't really had the hot weather yet.

James

[BrianO]

Do you know what the cost is to do a conversion? What else would it take to get my AC up and running (or would someone have to personally examine it) ?

you'll probably have to do exactly what I'll have to.. check for leaks, try and fill it and see what happens or vice versa.

[NavySVO]

Motion has a conversion kit. A little pricey for some, but it's there nonetheless

[BrianO]

I'm pretty sure you have to replace the accumalator because they are designed differently for the two types of refrigerant, but if you had a non leaking R12 system then the seals are probably good. if it's apart then replace the seals anyways.

[Raven855]

There are some very good r12 substitutes. Just use them, I wouldn't bother w/ a conversion.

[GAboySVO]

Whatever way you decide to go, make sure you have the mechanics put on some line locks so it doesn't pop off under pressure puke all that expensive refrigerant on the ground.

[SVOeric]

from past experience, r134 usually lasts about 2 years in one of these. seems the seals used in the stock compressors don't hold up well to r134, add to it the higher pressure 134 runs at, and it's going to pop eventually.

[BrianO]

I'm hoping my seals were changed, but I don't know. supposedly if the seals were good with R12 they'll be good with 134a...BUT..mine hasn't had anything in it for over a year at least so mine may be junk at this point.

[boostedbruiser]

mY understanding the seals in the compressor can't be change and the compressor will fail with R134.

MY a/c worked till a stupid line popped free because of the poorly designed spring locks to connect the lines to the compressor.

i never fixed it becuase my compressor was going bad anyways and later pulled the system.

On ebay they sell the original compressor for 140.0 and r12 though costly works really well. As long as you don't have any leaks the r12 should last a long time