Volvo: AC new vs old systems, volvo 240 wagon, r 134a

Question
I just bought a used 1990 volvo 240 wagon and I bought it knowing the AC was not working. I took it to a mechanic who said it has an "old" AC system that needs to be retrofitted to a "new" AC system. What exactly is he talking about? How much should a repair like that cost me?

Answer
Hello Diane! All A/C systems from 1993 and up use R-134a refrigerant. All cars before then use R12. The use of r-12 is not recommended due to environmental issues. Your car is probably running on R-12 and needs to be converted because the "old" refrigerant is no longer available. The price for a retrofit kit will vary from place to place. There are a few different ways of going about it. It can cost anywhere from $100-$800 depending on the method the repair shop uses. Your model may need to have major components replaced, such as the evaporator in order to convert it properly. I hope this info helps.


Jimmy