740 1988 Air conditioner R12 to R134

[Waterlok]

Hello,

Today I went to the garage to refill my air conditioning with gas, but they told me they couldn't do it because they use R12. After doing some research, I found conversion kits, but I wanted to know if a simple kit like (SKANDIX Conversion kit, Air conditioner R12 to R134) is enough or if I also need to change the dryer (SKANDIX Conversion kit, Air conditioner R12 to R134).

Thank you for your help and advice.

PS: My car is a 1988 Volvo 740 GLE American version, but I am in Europe.

 

[PCH]

Receiver/Dryer and a different orifice valve are needed when converting to 134r.

 

[DET17]

As well, the system should really be flushed as the modern oil used with R134a isn't compatible with the early O-rings. There is a specific oil needed for 12 vehicles which are being converted.... I think it is POE oil but I would need to confirm that. The oil used in vehicles which came new with R134a is not recommended as "backward compatible" with the R12 cars. I believe the details are very well spelled out in the Volvo Club UK's 700/900 pages.

The detail you need to know is here:

Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating and Air Conditioning repairs on the Volvo 700 and 900 series cars

www.volvoclub.org.uk

 

[Khrrck]

You don't have to fully flush it, but get as much oil out as you can, then use ester oil (POE is a type of ester oil) when recharging with R134 since it's compatible with any traces of leftover mineral oil that was used with the R12.

Receiver/Dryer and a different orifice valve are needed when converting to 134r.

Yup, the second kit looks like it includes those along with the new O-rings they'll want. If the AC hasn't worked for a long time though, odds are more than just those parts need to be replaced.

 

[2manyturbos]

Just charge the system with Envirosafe and be done with it. It will get much colder than R-134 will and is a drop in refrigerant.

 

[ortho stice]

Yeah, I decided to live dangerously with my '92 and just used envirosafe or duracool or one of the equivalents (propane, isobutane mix I think) along with a fresh receiver/dryer and orifice tube. It worked great until my condenser sprung a leak. Note that my car did not explode!

 

[DET17]

OP, whatever route you chose, be certain that your system is vacuumed down and HELD for at least 10 minutes without the vacuum diminishing.
Many folks ignore this critical step.... have a leaking system and assume they can just "convert it to R134a" and that remedy's everything. It doesn't.

2Many knows for sure, but I suspect your 88 will have a TEV rather than orifice tube. I'm a believer in a proper flush and removal of all the original refrigerant and oil..... others here will disagree. "Suum cuique"

Any system from '88 needs 100% of the O-rings retired and replaced with R134a compatible O-rings.

Best of luck in your AC restoration!