r-12 refrigerant question;

[7thgear]

I have 2 cans of r-12 that I want to charge into my ac system. I need a hose that will connect the bottle to my ac port. Any idea where I can get this hose?

[7thgear]

i do have a r-134 hose, so I am looking for at least some adaptors that I can use. Does napa, pepboys, autozone, or murrays sell this sort of thing.

[PROJECTJUNKIE]

You at least need to buy a hose that is made for R12. I have bought several at autozone, they have a yellow hose, and thread onto the top of the can.

[joe53015]

You would be better off just going to a shop that can charge your system. If you just shove some freon in the system without watching your pressures you could easily over charge the system then that locks up compressers, smokes off belts, causes leaks, u know just little things.

[7thgear]

oh shit. I bought the hose, hooked it up, and as I type this the car is running and sucking in r-12. It is sucking it in VERY slowly. The car has been running for about 40 minutes and the can doesn't seem to be getting any emptier. It is about half empty. The AC is on MAX blast and is still blowing hot air. What gives? I'm getting very frustrated.....my plans never go to plan....oh well.

[joe53015]

First, which side are you charging on the low side or the high side, and you say the can is about half empy. I hope like hell it's not a 30lb can of 12 cause if you fit half of that in there I would be impressed. No but honeslty I need to know how big of a can your working with cause if its a little one, no big deal. But if its a big one you may have to flip the can to get some liquid out of it depending on which side your charging on.

The other side of it could be a plugged orifice tube. (If you had a gauge on there you would be able to tell)

Good luck to you and I hope you blow system to bloody hell cause who needs a/c when you can open the window

[7thgear]

it is a 12 oz can. Can I replace the orafice tube without screwing up the rest of the system?

[Fisheadgib]

It sounds like you're not really familiar with automotive A/C systems. You should take it to someone who knows what they're doing before you fuck it up. It's not quite as simple as filling your winshield washer fluid.

[jarvisjeep]

What kind of vehicle are you putting this into? Is is desgined for r-12? You really need a pressure gauge to get the system working correctly, if you dont things go real bad very quickly when its overcharged. Also, what side are you charging? If the dessicant bag has ruptured from sitting without a charge, when oriffice tube will be plugged, mabye even more things in the system. Have you ever done a/c work before? it doesnt sound like it. Mabye you should stop what you are doing and read a few a/c system diagrams and some "how to's" before you go any further

[joe53015]

I agree, like I told you in the beginning take it to someone who knows what their doing. At our shop an r12 system charge would run an average of 150 and r134 is about 70 so it's not insanely priced. It would be even cheper if you brought your own refrigerant.

[jarvisjeep]

Originally Posted by joe53015

I agree, like I told you in the beginning take it to someone who knows what their doing. At our shop an r12 system charge would run an average of 150 and r134 is about 70 so it's not insanely priced. It would be even cheper if you brought your own refrigerant.

HOLY CRAP BATMAN!!! r12 is like 80 bucks a pound!! how do you guys do it so cheap? an average recharge at our shop with r134a is 150-175 depending how much regrigerant we use. We also add dye oil so we can find the reason the system is flat.

[actionpaintball]

I did not see anywhere where you said you jumped the hot wire on your compressor to make sure the clucth is engaged-you need to at least do this if you want the system to circulate and pull a vacuum....

/everyone probably assumed you did-just making sure

[7thgear]

no i don't know ac systems very well. I'll end up taking it to a shop within the week, this damn heat wave makes me sweat like a pig. Yeah, I had the compressor running and everything. It ran for about 40 minutes, took half the can, and stopped sucking in refrigerant. So it seems like it's clogged but let this be the end of it, i'll take to a shop.

[joe53015]

Jarvis,
I dont know why r12 is so expensive there. Over the last 2 years the price has come down for us and the price of 134 just doubled last fall. If I were you I would check into a different supplier cause it sounds like their over charging you. The other side of it is most people can charge a lot for a/c cause its a convience. We also add dye with every top off to locate any problems. Usually evaporator or compressor which bring good money thats always fun.

Were considering getting the 134 with dye already in it, Have you used that yet and if you have how effective is the dye.

NICE LIMO!!

[6869704x4]

I have found leaks in my daughters blazer and my girlyfriends prelude with cans of 134 that had dye in it. Used greenish/yellowish stuff on the blazer, didnt show up very well untill I borrowed my daughters blacklight. Used red on the honda, it showed up pretty good.
I converted both of these from 12 to 134.

[jarvisjeep]

Originally Posted by joe53015

Jarvis,
I dont know why r12 is so expensive there. Over the last 2 years the price has come down for us and the price of 134 just doubled last fall. If I were you I would check into a different supplier cause it sounds like their over charging you. The other side of it is most people can charge a lot for a/c cause its a convience. We also add dye with every top off to locate any problems. Usually evaporator or compressor which bring good money thats always fun.

Were considering getting the 134 with dye already in it, Have you used that yet and if you have how effective is the dye.

NICE LIMO!!

Last fall 134 did double, and we were pissed. Our r12 machine is dead anyway, so we will not do any and dont bother checking prices anymore. I might have an old price in my head, ill cal and see how much it is later today. But r134a is 189 for a 30lbs keg. You can get it with or without dye in it. We keep forgeting to order it with dye in it. But the a/c only store says thats all they use and there is no reason to use the Add-A-Dye process we do. So i assume it works just as well.
Thanks on the limo. I just wish it was DONE. Im only 4 months behind schedule and double my budget. O well.