AC Issues - probably the compressor

[dirt__diggler]

1987 with R12

Sometimes it blows cold, most of the time, nothing. The compressor always comes on and I have refrigerant. When it's working and I park, lots of condensation drips. But lately I'm getting almost no cooling - sometimes a delta of 15-20 degrees. Thoughts? Can I just replace the compressor or do I have to do the entire conversion to R134?

 

[ccunningham83]

The problem you are going to run into with R-12 is recovering, temporarily storing it, and recharging the system. It has been mostly unattainable for a few years (I work for a car dealership and we exhausted all of our resources to get them a year or so ago). Even when we could get it, it was like $50 a pound at our cost, which we then marked up and sold to the customer.

While you may not be low, you are going to have to find a repair facility with R-12 equipment, I imagine that is going to be harder and harder to find since the availability of the gas itself is dwindling.

I replaced the compressor, drier, and put R134a adapters on the fittings on my 1987 4Runner and just put R134a back in. Blows plenty cold for me.

You might as well switch now and save yourself some headaches down the road.

 

[dirt__diggler]

The problem you are going to run into with R-12 is recovering, temporarily storing it, and recharging the system. It has been mostly unattainable for a few years (I work for a car dealership and we exhausted all of our resources to get them a year or so ago). Even when we could get it, it was like $50 a pound at our cost, which we then marked up and sold to the customer.

While you may not be low, you are going to have to find a repair facility with R-12 equipment, I imagine that is going to be harder and harder to find since the availability of the gas itself is dwindling.

I replaced the compressor, drier, and put R134a adapters on the fittings on my 1987 4Runner and just put R134a back in. Blows plenty cold for me.

You might as well switch now and save yourself some headaches down the road.

Just the advice I was looking for. How much did that cost you? How much will it cost me? Thanks!

 

[nevada]

1987 with R12

Sometimes it blows cold, most of the time, nothing. The compressor always comes on and I have refrigerant. When it's working and I park, lots of condensation drips. But lately I'm getting almost no cooling - sometimes a delta of 15-20 degrees. Thoughts? Can I just replace the compressor or do I have to do the entire conversion to R134?

it does sound like it may be low.

I had mine recharged several years ago, and I just had the ac system in my 89 f250 rebuilt and charged. R12 is still out there, and available. though, its quite a bit more expensive. but, it works so much better.

it may be worth it to have your system checked, then make a decision on whether to recharge it, or convert it over.

 

[ccunningham83]

Just the advice I was looking for. How much did that cost you? How much will it cost me? Thanks!

I bought my compressor and drier off or RockAuto. If you want the parts warranty it is very important to replace the drier as well. Not sure how much I paid, but it wasn't terrible.

I did the work myself since we have all the tools available here at the shop to do it. 2 lbs of R134a cost me just under $20 at my employee rate and we only charge about $13.50 per pound retail, so it really isn't too bad. The compressor is pretty easy to get to and should be a rather simple repair.

R12 is definitely a better refrigerant , but I suggest calling around to try to find someone that can work on it (you even have to have a license to buy it over the counter). I just don't think it is cost effective and it is only going to get harder to find. If you are switching the compressor, now would be the perfect time.