To retrofit or not to retrofit? Lets pool some info!

[POS carb]

I found a page with some good information (except the part that says R-12 will run out by 2001 lol) including compatibility with certain part # of import cars and stuff, I'm gonna check my compressor's #, I got it off a JHM accord, I'm not's sure what the # on mine was (ohio car).
Anyways I want to hear from anyone who has converted to R134 or similar and what the price and results were as well as any commentary or advice. Let us know what you think! That's why we're here!

Check this out, very informative:
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic50034.htm

I'll look for more stuff.

[POS carb]

look:

As for Honda, some 1986-’89 Accords have Keihin compressors that are not compatible with

R-134a. The compressors on these cars must be replaced with a new one that is R-134a compatible. Honda’s replacement compressor for the Keihin is p/n 38020-PJO-R60.

[accordlx]

Here's my input on the subject:

Ive been running R134a for about a year but I never vaccuumed my system down. Yesterday I had acess to a vaccuum pump so I figured that I would actually set up the system the right way vs. the way I had my system set up. (Just pumped the R134a in at atmospheric pressure.)

Yesterday, I recharged my system w/28 oz. of R134a after completely vaccuuming the system down for about half an hour. Per the calibrated guages, I had about 27lbs/in negative pressure when I finished evacuating the system. I then charged with the 28 oz of R134a. (I already had oil in the system from the original R134a charge.)

When I started the car, I had an vent temperature of 52 degrees farenheit wtih the outside ambient temperature being right at 94 degrees. That is a 42 degree difference.

Bear in mind that I used the absolute bottom recommended level of refrigerant in the system. This is because R134a is way harder on your compressor than R12 was.

My car is an 88' so the reccommended amount of R12 is 28-32 oz of refrigerant.

I am extremely happy with the results of this experiment. It was worth the $20 I spent on new refrigerant.

PS. I have the Nippondenso compressor.

[TeKKnoTeKK]

dayum.....I called autozone the other day and they quoted me 40$ for the R134 setup, sounds like a rip. Where is the cheapest/best place to get it?

[POS carb]

Thank you chris.
Here's a cool little page with some good ghetto tips for us at-home mechanics:
http://members.tripod.com/~jbabs714/autoac.htm#134

[accordlx]

The kit is like $35 here in Ohio but I already had the hoses and the oil charger stuff.

[guaynabo89]

I buoght one of those kits. I don't like it much though. Its not as cool as the r-12 was. Maybe its the cheap kit or something. Wheen I get around to it I'll take it to a shop.

[TeKKnoTeKK]

I'm just debating whether or not the kit would be worth it....I could pretty much care less about A/C, guess the only reason I really need it is for the luxury of my passengers. Nothing like women whining because they are hot

[POS carb]

You have to evacuate ALL the R12 before you put in the new stuff, make sure your compressor is also compatible with the r-134 and that your fans work. You should also get an R-134-calibrated expansion valve!

[marc49]

My grandpa had his converted about 2 years before I ended up with the car (compressor bit the dust). It blew some cold ass air, although last summer and this summer it's not very cold and takes a long time to get cold, I think it's time for a recharge..

Something I heard, I can't remember where, was when you convert from the R-12 to the R-134a to actually overfill it with refrigerant just a bit.. Something about if you just fill it to specs, you may not get as cold of air as you did with the R-12. But I can't remember where i heard it from, so I guess it's up to you whether to try it or not.

[accordlx]

You have to underfill the system. I used like a 85% load. The proper load level is like 80% though.

[POS carb]

lol,. yea you're supposed to buy smoe fluid and then fill the system to like 85% capacity