Guys who have retrofit the 348 A/C to 134a can you tell me how it worked out for you?
Mine was converted previously and it had a full service just before I bought it two years ago. Yesterday, while testing the a/c system after changing out the aux water pump (heater), the temp reading at the vent went to 50. Granted, I was in the garage and not driving. Otherwise it probably would have gone lower. Except during extremely hot Florida days the system can be too cold inside and I have to back it off...
Hmmmm. 134a came out around 1992 and pretty much became exclusive on all cars by 1994. Mine is a 1992 model and is 134a and it doesn't look like a retrofit. It looks Factory, but I'm going to have another look at it again. Either way mine is nice and cold and I live in Sunny South Florida.
Mine was converted to 134a before I bought it. I ran it in the fall in NJ it was humid and warm out hot sweltering but warm and like Wade said it was cold and faced with raising temps up I just kicked it off and went to fresh air vents.
I want to retrofit mine, just for ease of servicing, but it is very low on my priority list. I think I used the A/C twice before I developed a leak (probably because I didn't use it. Or is that a myth?). I've read opinions of people who hated the conversion, and those who loved it. So it is good to hear someone in FL giving the conversion praise. Is it as simple as draining the system and changing to a fresh dryer or do all the hoses/elastomers need replaced as well?
Changing seals and fittings the 134 can leak out with r12 seals , or so I'm told. They did that on mine. Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Completed the R134a retrofit myself in 2017 with the following steps: 1. Check if your hoses support 134a refrigerant, my early 1991 348TS hoses were OK. 2. Clean AC pipes, hoses, condensor, evaporator one by one (i used brake cleaner) 3. Replace all seals to neoprene seals 4. Replace the ac compressor minaral oil to POE oil. 5. Replace the R12 expansion valve to a R134a expansion valve 6. Install a new dryer 7. Fillup R134a refrigerant
Since you did the deed do you have a source/part number for the dryer and r134a expansion valve? Like NAPA autoparts xxxxxx
According to the attached study, there doesn't seem to be any compatibility problem with the existing R12 type of o-rings and rubber hoses when changing to R134a, including its different oil.
FBB this vid will give you everything you need to know. Really starts to get good at the 2:00 min mark.
It is not a material compatibility issue, it is a leakage issue. Ferrari hoses were cheap material to start with and 134 leaks out of them even faster. Many in the A/C industry say 134 will jokingly leak out of a steel can. Its true. 134 was a poor replacement for R12. The new gas makes R12 look cheap.
Car airco systems leak by design and particulary the compressor pump design, hence every 3-5 years you have to check and fillup the refrigerant. Always turn-on the airco (compressor pump) for a while when you start the engine this to limmit compressor leaking. The 7 steps as written in my previous threat are mandatory for a correct F348 AC R12 to R134a retrofit. @fatbillybob I don’t have the partnumber for the R134a expansion valve, (which operates on a slightly higher pressure), sourced this part at a local shop. Most car airco expert/refill shops can organize this part with normal pricing. The dryer is a standard F348 dryer.
@fatbillybob Expansion Valve and Dryer can be sourced at www.euspares.co.uk For example Expansion Valve: https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/hella/950984 I am sure you can source this also locally
@fatbillybob Dryer 348 see: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/where-to-get-new-expansion-valve-and-dryer-for-348.598137/#post-146551847 There are two Dryer versions, the high/low pressure switch should be facing to the rear of your car. You only need to order the dryer (without switch) If you order the wrong Dryer versions your pressure switch will not fit under the coating.