A/C Gas

Factory from new, the system was charged with R12. That has since been deemed nasty for the Ozone Layer and has been canned. A few years ago now.
My 348 has had the new R134A gas conversion a few years ago.
Take the car to your nearest/best Auto Electrician to gas the a/c for you. They will be able to tell you if the system has been converted or not. They will be able to tell from the different high and low pressure charging ports and also from the different hoses and orings.

 

Can you just use one of those do it yourself kits? I have no idea if mine has been converted not, but it needs to be recharged.

 

In the USA? Not 100% sure on that mate?
Here in Australia, they have actually banned the sale of a/c gas to the average person. You have to have a special a/c gas licence now to be able to buy it. I know how to charge a/c systems and would do my own, as my brother has some a/c gauges, but I cant get hold of any a/c gas.
So........I will just let my a/c guru mate do it for me at his shop.
We are in the process of getting those a/c gas licence's from work actually. Work is paying for the 5 day course.

 

R134A uses higher pressures than R12 and FR12. So you need new high pressure rated hoses. For both low and high pressure sides in the system. Also the old R12 o-rings cannot handle the extra pressure in the R134A system and they end up leaking or blowing out. So new hoses and o-rings are a must for the conversion. The compressor will be able to handle the extra pressure that R134A produces. Consult an a/c expert mate and they will put you in the right direction.

 

Thats right mate. Different charging ports also. Need new receiver-dryer too. The correct amount of oil in the compressor, coupled with the correct amount of gas in the system is best left to the experts mate.
A/c repairs are also VERY expensive here in Australia. I am lucky I have friends in the business that take care of my a/c needs.

 

R134 uses a different type of oil. It is best if you can remove the compressor (I know it's a biatch on some cars) and drain it before refilling.

I've had a fair amount of success changing o-rings, oil and recharging with R134.

Hoses only if they are leaky. Sometimes an expansion valve. Receiver/dryer is supposed to be changed anytime the system is open (that's what they teach in refrigeration school). I have never changed one unless it was damaged or had been open to the air for a long time (months). Pull a good hard vacuum on the system, add the right amount of refrigerant and "let'er buck"

Some cars work fine with the conversion. Some don't work well at all.

If the car came with R12 don't expect it to be as cold with R134.

 

You better believe it.
Only issue is, not everyone drains old oil from compressor when conversion is done.
Ben is lucky he has a new compressor.

 

Had my 91 348TS aircon serviced in Oct 06 by mobile service just after my engine out cambelt/tensioner work, here are notes I made at the time for my own service records.

My a/c system had already been converted over to R134a back in 2001 before I bought the car, I don't know what items were swapped out at that time. What I do know is that the ports were not changed to the later type but have now been.

"Oct 10th – Air conditioning serviced by George Georgiou of Go Cool Services, Bristol. System inspected visually, then 'sniffer' used to detect residual traces of refrigerant. System pressurised with Nitrogen and pressure held up totally for 20~25 mins, no leaks sniffed at any of the joints, system passed off by Engineer as extremely leak tight. System then fully serviced: new type R134a ports added to allow easier future gas ups (old original ports kept should future owner wish to revert back for absolute originality). New air-conditioning Engineer had phone discussion with previous air-conditioning service Engineer from back in 2001 and was able to determine gas volume for new R134a refrigerant as 650~675gms (by comparison R12 would be 950~1000 as quoted in Ferrari WSM). Oil topped up with 25ml of compatible PAO68. Also UV dye introduced into the system to maximise current/future leak identification. Delivery temp at internal vent 6~8 deg C (2 deg C on recirc!) with ambient being measured at 17 deg C. Low pressure 1~2 Bar, High Pressure 12~15 Bar IAW Ferrari WSM".

This work cost me approx £100 uk pounds, inclusive of the 2 new type ports, which I thought was superb vfm considering the Engineer was at my house doing the work for several hours and extremely methodical (including calling up the previous Engineers number on my hood label, to discuss the work he previously did). He advised a system 'should' be serviced every year (costs about 35 uk pounds), but acknowledged that most people don't ever bother until they get a problem!

 

R12 and R134 are both ozone depleating. It is just a matter of degree for those who are concerned.

R12 is still quite available and the price continually goes down.

The use of R12 will result in a more efficient A/C system.

The use of R12 will require no modifications to the system.

You will have to recharge the system several times before you have saved enough to pay for the conversion. If your system doesn't leak that may not happen during our lifetime.

R134a conversions are a scam taking advantage of our desire to do something positive for the environment. You will get more bang for your environmental dollars by buying a new set of sparkplugs.


I will not perform gas conversions, my conscience won't allow it. We keep R12 and R134a in stock and use that which the car calls for.

 

Thank You!!! for putting things right.

R134 is a scam and the general public doesn't know.

 

well, like I said mine had already been 134'd when I got her

 

So was my 348.
I talked to my Auto Elec at work last night and he said that the R12/R134A crap started around 1990/1991. In 1993, EVERY car in Australia had to have the conversion done, at your own expense of course. If you were caught with R12, then you were stuck with a hefty fine.
Scam from hell he also said!
But whadda ya do?