R134a Conversion?

[riggz]

When I bought my 1987 K5, the previous owner told me he had converted the A/C to R134a. I was unaware of how to validate that at the time, but the A/C was cold and that was all that mattered. Now, 8 years later the A/C isn't cold. I had a recharging kit, but when I went to hook it up, the adapter piece wasn't the same. The kit has a quick lock adapter and the refridgerant tank has a threaded adapter. The sticker still says R-12. Is there any way to tell if it was actually converted? Or did the previous owner just blow smoke up my butt? Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[turtlenut2]

He's probably full of it. When you do a conversion you're supposed leave the adapters on the vehicle and fill out a conversion sticker and place it over the old R-12 sticker.

 

[opfor2]

He's probably full of it. When you do a conversion you're supposed leave the adapters on the vehicle and fill out a conversion sticker and place it over the old R-12 sticker.

Well maybe he didn't do it correctly. I've seen and heard of people doing some stupid things so it's possible that the PO removed the adapters for a second vehicle or he didn't read the directions. It's possible.

 

[1985_K5_Silverado]

I'd run it by a shop and have them ID the refrigerant type with their machine, then proceed from there.

 

[FWP]

Doesn't really matter IMO. Do you have a gage set? If you're out of 12 or 134a you have to fix the leak/ compressor anyway. Don't just recharge it.

 

[pauly383]

It is possible to fill it with r134a through the stock fittings . Any appliance repairman has a tank of r134a on their truck in a 30 pound can with r-12 size fittings right on the tank . To this day the industry still uses the r-12 fittings on appliance tanks .

 

[riggz]

yeah i think i'll just run it by a local shop and see what they say. cant take another day of this GA heat w/o some A/C! thanks for your input!

 

[cbbr]

That's best. I converted mine and didn't change the fittings or put a sticker on it.

 

[sled_dog]

Doesn't really matter IMO. Do you have a gage set? If you're out of 12 or 134a you have to fix the leak/ compressor anyway. Don't just recharge it.

to lose refrigerant in 8 years isn't by any means extreme to me. We get new cars less than 8 years old coming in all the time that need a charge and we can't find a single leak in the system. Now if it were like my 97 pickup where it blew cold last summer and hot this summer, now that is a leak situation.

 

[riggz]

to lose refrigerant in 8 years isn't by any means extreme to me. We get new cars less than 8 years old coming in all the time that need a charge and we can't find a single leak in the system. Now if it were like my 97 pickup where it blew cold last summer and hot this summer, now that is a leak situation.

yeah, the k5 sat for about 3 years w/o being driven so i'm figuring that may have contributed.

 

[79Beast]

I can help.

I live in Carrollton, GA. Exit 24 off I20. Bring it to me next weekend and we'll fix it up right. I have a machine that will I.D. the refrigerant and I've got all the necessary tools to evacuate/repair/vacuum/recharge the system. Plus, I've got a lot of experience.

 

[riggz]

I live in Carrollton, GA. Exit 24 off I20. Bring it to me next weekend and we'll fix it up right. I have a machine that will I.D. the refrigerant and I've got all the necessary tools to evacuate/repair/vacuum/recharge the system. Plus, I've got a lot of experiance.

sweet. i'm not sure if i trust it just yet to make it that far as the tranny is a bit sketchy, but i'll see how she runs this week.

 

[FWP]

to lose refrigerant in 8 years isn't by any means extreme to me. We get new cars less than 8 years old coming in all the time that need a charge and we can't find a single leak in the system. Now if it were like my 97 pickup where it blew cold last summer and hot this summer, now that is a leak situation.

What I was saying was, you really don't know if there's a leak until you check (like a shop would). Best to leak check, fix, evacuate and recharge.