Hi , everybody! I have Lexus 92, es300. And the problem is it's blowing hot air instead of cold. I know that it suppose to have R12 but the owner said it has been already converted to R-134A. The problem is I went to fiil it up with freon and mechanic just took a quik look at engine and said it's not converted and I need to do it for 150$. So now I'm confused, is there any way I can figure out if it was converted or not.
And if it is not converted what if I just put 134a in there instead of R12 - what,s gonna hepen??
Thanks!!
Answer:
look at the ac compressor it will say r 12 or r134a
There's more to converting an r-12 system to 134-a than a $40 kit. The oil needs to be pulled out and the system needs to be cleaned out. There's also the accumulator and filter-dryer as well as the metering device that might need to be recalibrated or replaced. The hoses are also incompatible with 134-a if they've been used for r-12. The material isn't dense enough and the new refrigerant will leak right through the hoses. In short, this isn't a cheap fix. $150 isn't near enough for all of the work needed.
The fittings for both are not compatable. So if it was converted to R1134a the fittings are much larger then the original R12. If it hasn't been converted the 150 bucks is about right. If you stay with R12 it will cost you twice that because of freon cost alone. Also, the leak will have to be fixed regardless of what you use or it will just leak back out.
Hope this helps and good luck.
take Your car back from that technician.state clear He not gonna do it (after You have Your car in Your hand)
since 1992 ,300 lexus it has been converted for sure. no A/C last 15 years without service. and the new regulations has started in 1991. and in 1992 the fed. gov .cut the freon 12. from public use.
"Conversion", as it is called, requires a complete evacuation of the R12 from the system, or "reclaiming" it...what the mechanic looked for is a sticker that is required to be put on after conversion...no, there are no "magic" parts to be added (other than screw on fittings), it is simply that the two different freon's aren't "compatible". In this case, compatible means they are two different chemical make ups...
Soooo, if you want to have it done "right", you'll have to go through the "conversion" process...that is what the $150 is for, evacuation and refill with R134A...just make sure the sticker gets put on this time...
The charging fittings for R-134a are larger than R-12 which look like tire valve stems so you can easily check them yourself. Now as far as what happens if you mix the two they both operate at about the same pressure but are chemically incompatible with each other. Having done several conversions I would recommend having the technician do the job for the $150, but would not be surprised if that was just the labor charge. I initially changed my 1983 Ford Truck system with the $40 kit and within three years time after putting up with numerous leaks and poor operation I ended up doing the job the right way and replacing all the parts and hoses for significantly more than I thought it was worth. That said it has been 12 years and 175000 miles since and it is blowing just as cold now as when the job was done. So spend the money and have the job done right.
As usual, the shade tree wannabes are out in full force again acting as if they have one lick of ac knowledge. Now the real truth to your question is to inform you and all the other shade tree wannabes on here that you just dont "simply" convert r12 to r134.lol you people kill me. Anyways take it to your shop of choice and have them price a retro-fit kit and get a cost on parts and labor. For that vehicle, matter of fact I just priced the same EXACT car for my mother in law, my cost on a retro-fit was around 420.00, for you shade tree wannabes, that includes, the flush, pag oil, the compressor, the reciever/dryer, and the conversion fittings. If you dont change all of these parts, then you are a shade tree. Funny how some of you think the hoses arent compatible, another example of someone that knows NOTHING about ac systems. I mean get real people, I am new here but why do you people constantly lie and make things up like you know alot about cars. You are the ones I love in my shop, the know it alls.
P.S. the average cost for the retro fit with mark up and the freon installed through a shop that will give you a warranty would be 1200 bucks or so fyi
If it has been converted it will have the propper converter fittngs on it and you can add the 134 in it.If its not converted then you can buy a converter kit for about 30 to 40 bucks
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