Jaguar Repair: 84 XJ6 NOW A/C, high pressure compressor, freeze12

Question
Howard,
By kit, I meant the retrofit kits that come with a bottle of R134a, and fittings - usually $20-30 at Wal Mart or Autozone, etc.... Aside from that, I do not have proper fittings or gauges to test pressure, but a small screwdriver inserted in to the low pressure side only yielded a momentary hiss and then nothing. It is reasonable to assume the system is dead empty, but to your suggestion that only R12 be used, where does an ordinary individual acquire such? I recall working at Sam's Club many, many years ago and requiring proof of a "freon license" of those who attempted to buy our cases of R12. I'm guessing you are also going to suggest I purchase a set of A/C test gauges...
That is ok, I'm content to learn as much as I can, and continue to become a better mechanic.
Thanks,
Michael

Answer
Michael,
R134 is poisonous in it's natural form and not much of a refrigerant to boot, which requires a high pressure compressor to operate. The Series III XJ-6 has a Harrison compressor which is not much of a compressor to start with. If you don't have gauges and a vacuum pump, you are foolish to fool with any AC system.

However, gauges are not that expensive and because you had a little "Hiss" out of the valve you may not need to evacuate the system. If you can't get any R-12 due to a license, call a few auto parts stores and try to find one that sells one of the propane based refrigerants (duracool or freeze12 and I think there are other brands too) I don't think they require a license and they work much better anyway.

R-12 is a better refrigerant than 134 and the propane based refrigerants are many times better than R-12. When you start a car on a hot day with 134 you have to drive for a city block before you feel any cool air out of the vents. With R-12 you have to drive a half block before you feel cool air and with the propane refrigerants you can't get it in gear before it is freezing you out of the car.

In a series III car it takes about 3 cans of R-12 to fill the system. You can't get 2 cans of the propane based refrigerant in before the vents are freezing cold.

Howard