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r134 conversion
Concerning the R-134 conversion..
I replaced my leaky condenser(system empty all winter) and took it to my
friendly ac shop. we pulled a vacuum on the system for 1/2 hour or so,
then recharged my 88 735is' system with R134, I believe you use 65% or so
of the R-12 capacity. We did nothing to the dryer, hoses, seals, or
compressor. This was three years ago. This may well be the fourth
season. Every summer it takes a can or two of R 134 to top off the
system. It is cool enough barring high 90's at which point you do need to
run high and recirc.to maintain a reasonable coolness. It does like moving
rather than sitting, the airflow helps the cooling.
The AC guy allowed as how most retrofits were drop ins just like this. We
did add some of the r-134 oil.
Concerning dryer replacement, he said that it isn't the moisture, it is the
old oil clogging the dessicant which takes out old dryers.. the moisture
comes out just fine in a vacuum.
Concerning hose replacement, I have read that the refrigerant oil in older
hoses usually forms enough of a seal in the hoses so that the R-134, which
is a smaller, more leak prone molecule, will stay in the standard hoses.
My original comressor is bearing up under the strain well.. the car has
248k miles.
I did replace the failed OEM fan with a 16" aftermarket cheap fan for
$85. I also removed the ballast resistor which causes the aux fan to run
at 1/2 speed when the AC is on. Mine now runs full blast when the AC is on.
Hope this helps, Dave Leonard
88 735i R134
91 325ic r-12 and not leaking
93 GMC Suburban, converted to R-134 some years ago and still capable of
cooling beer
92 Buick Roadmonsta r-12 and holding
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