Hi all, has anyone changed their Air Con hoses to R134a hoses and how difficult is it? I have my engine and fuel tanks out at present so now presents the best time to change them over. thanks in advance Mike
Dear Ferraristi, You do not need to change the hoses over to convert to R 134A. Just have the compressor fittings converted, drain and vacuum out system, fill with R134 A fill kit including compressor oil. If you are changing your AC lines for other reasons.....good luck ! They run from the engine bay to under the car to the front....under the riveted flat sheet panel. The AC and heater hoses are the only hoses I haven't changed in the car because I have psych myself up to pull the bottom panel then re-rivet it back....ugh ! The 512TR solved that my making a removable under-body panel. Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice !
Thanks Shamile, all advice I have had suggests that the molecular size of R134a is much smaller than R12 and in not replacing the hoses I leave to chance the possibility that enough compessor oil over the years has impregnated the lines and effectively "sealed" them. I have pulled the A/C evaporator panel "LHS wheel arch" off and central tunnel panels and see that although it is quite a job so long as the hoses will slide along each other it should be possible. On the other hand I do not wish to be the one to prove that it is or is not possible. Other F cars enjoy much more modern type A/C performance when the job is done correctly, I will feel as if I have not done the best by the car if I do not totally resolve this problem. I do not wish to top up the gas every 6 months.
I think we are all very interested in what you may do; please accomodate us with lots of photo's if you do!
Mike on the Soarer's it's imperative to change the hoses for that very same reason. I have to dump AC gas in Japan before importation, so then retrofit to R134 on most of them when they arrive. I flood the system with a cleaning oil, then vac down for 24 hrs, then change hoses and refil with R134 and appropriate oil. Alternatively, you can refill with HR12 and change nothing. It's been made as a replacement for early gasses. Have a look at this: http://www.hychill.com.au/pdf/chargtip.pdf
If you need anything from them, they are ten minutes around the corner on the way to the Mother's place. Another great Ozzie invention!
Bottom panel does not need to be removed to replace A/C hoses. They will slide out of the tunnel from the front to the rear.
Dear Ferraristi, Never one to doubt your experience Rifledriver but don't the heater hoses running next to the lines make for a tight rubber to rubber fit? I had looked at it and decided that....not if but when it breaks, I'll fix it. Do you spray allot of silicone spray to get everything to slide? I too would like to redo my AC lines....just coming up on age....no issues. ...interesting info on the lines....didn't know about the 134A molecule being able to outgas a R12 line. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
Yes they do No I don't. Were you really planning on taking the big piece out first? Doesn't that defy logic? And just out of curiosity, if you have never done it, how can you give advice on how to do it?
....never said I know everything. I had looked at the hoses because I wanted to change them. I took apart the center console found the heater hoses ran up with the evap hoses through the hole in the central tunnel. I pulled on the front and I pulled at the back with no budging. I asked one of the techs at my local F pimp ( Ferrari dealer) and he said that you drill out the rivets on the panel and just re rivet it back up....easy access to everything. I'm always open to a better way or proper way of doing things. Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice !
Hi Guys, The issue of replacing hoses may not be such an issue if we use replacement gas, such as High chill HR12. This replacement does not require new seals unless seals are leaking and is superior in refrigerant qualities. Not sure if avail in USA but is an Aussie invention that requires 1/3 less gas due it's quality/density. Initially some debate ref ignition point but hey as this all sits close to 100litres of combustible fuel (mostly with weeps etc) not so much of an issue,perhaps. The gas is compatible with R12 and R134a seals and appears to be superior in refrigerant quality. Thanks Rob so far research looks good.
