A/C 134A retrofit | FerrariChat

A/C 134A retrofit

Discussion in '348/355' started by fatbillybob, Apr 17, 2019.

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  1. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,288
    socal
    Guys who have retrofit the 348 A/C to 134a can you tell me how it worked out for you?
     
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    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...
     
  3. POLO35

    POLO35 Formula Junior

    Feb 21, 2005
    712
    Treasure Coast Florida
    Full Name:
    MATT
    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.
     
  4. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    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.
     
  5. Surfari

    Surfari Karting

    Nov 4, 2016
    149
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Luke
    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?
     
  6. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Yeah replace the receiver drier they got wonked over the years
     
  7. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
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    Eric
    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
     
  8. rob.kruiswijk

    rob.kruiswijk Formula 3

    Jun 15, 2014
    1,337
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Rob
    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
     
    Qavion likes this.
  9. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,288
    socal
    Since you did the deed do you have a source/part number for the dryer and r134a expansion valve? Like NAPA autoparts xxxxxx
     
  10. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2011
    2,743
    Malaysia - KL
    Full Name:
    Miroljub Stojanovic
    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.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 15, 2013
    989
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Joseph Troutwine
    FBB this vid will give you everything you need to know. Really starts to get good at the 2:00 min mark. :)
     
  12. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    OMG run fast LOL
     
  13. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    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.
     
    baschul likes this.
  14. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    You have to flush out the old oil or it will turn to tar.
     
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  15. rob.kruiswijk

    rob.kruiswijk Formula 3

    Jun 15, 2014
    1,337
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Rob
    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.
     
  16. rob.kruiswijk

    rob.kruiswijk Formula 3

    Jun 15, 2014
    1,337
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    Full Name:
    Rob
  17. rob.kruiswijk

    rob.kruiswijk Formula 3

    Jun 15, 2014
    1,337
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Rob
    More 348 AC R12 to R134a retrofitting info can be found on www.my348.com
     
  18. rob.kruiswijk

    rob.kruiswijk Formula 3

    Jun 15, 2014
    1,337
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Rob

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