Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: mid 80s chevy a/c, chevy caprice, system breakdowns

Question
Hi there!  My Mom & Dad, who are retired and on a fixed income, have a mid 80's Chevy Caprice with a V-8.  About 2 years ago, they had the a/c system replaced.  They have had a few problems with loss of refrigerent since then, culminating in the current situation where the a/c just is not cooling at all.  To make matters worse, the mechanic that did the work is 200 miles away (my parents just moved back close to us due to ill health).  Needless to say, they need a working a/c system, but don't have the money to go out and pay a mechanic to "fix" what I suspect is a somewhat faulty system.  I assume the system is R-12 since it has the old style screw on fittings.  I have found a kit that supposedly allows you to replace the R-12 with R-134a.  It comes with all necessary coupleings/connections as well as guages and R-134a and oil.  Sounds too simple - so I am asking for some expert assistance.  I have heard there are pressure variation issues between R-12 and R-134a that might cause system breakdowns -- with this being a relatively new system is that really a worry?  I would appreciate some advice and recommendations.  Thanks!

Answer
The FIRST thing you need to find out is IF at the previous reapir 2 years ago the repair facility may have already converted your R-12 system to the R-123a system. Without knowing this your will run into problems with repairs.

just because the fittings are the OLD STYLE does not mean that you still have the R-12 system. They may have simply neglected or intentionally did not put the new R-134a fittings on the ports.

You are gooing to need either an R-12 or R-134a leak detector, A set of R12 or R134a A/C guages, A vacuum pump and several cans of the proper type of freon.

You also do not know how much REFRIGERANT OIL or if it was R-12 or R134 was installed at the reapir facility.


If you reinstall the wrong type of freon and or refrigerant in the system you can destroy the A/C components.

This is something that I STRONGLY recommend that you bite the bullit on and have a reputable facility physically inspect the system

You can be seriously injured, permanently blinded by freon or KILLED if a high pressure explosion should occur during your attempted repair.


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