[DML] Re: Air Conditioning

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you still have the origional R-12 freon and the A/C works there is
nothing you need to do. If you do not have enough Freon in the system
to make it work now you DO need to do something. If there is much
positive pressure, just a low charge of Freon then the "best" advice
would be to find the leak, remove the R-12, fix the leak, change the
oil in the compressor, and refill with the R-12 topping off with more
R-12. Unfortunatly many shops will no longer recharge a system with
R-12. They won't keep it around because it is too expensive. In that
case they will recycle the old R-12 and fill your system with a
drop-in replacement. R-134a is not recomended for the system. You will
lose around 10% of your cooling capacity and run much higher
pressures. It is also incompatible with the seals and the origional
oil fill so you should disassemble and purge all of the old oil and
replace every seal and gasket. A/C work is not a job for the garage
mechanic anymore. You are supposed to have a license to do this stuff
and the equipment is expensive. It is much more cost effective to take
the car to a shop for the rare times you need to have A/C work done.
If done properly by a competant shop you should never have to go again
for that system unless a hose bursts. There is no "average" price
since there is no "average" job. It varies greatly depending on where
in the country you are, if parts are required, how contaminated the
system is, etc. That said this work is not cheap because the equipment
to do it properly and the time it takes costs a lot. Anything less
than $100 and they are just squirting in something to get you out the
door with a little cool air. Not the best way to go. The best way to
find a good shop is by word-of-mouth. In any large city there is at
least 1 shop everyone will know by reputation, not price. That is the
one to use.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757 


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Todd Nelson <tan5732@xxxx> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I assume this will be a relatively simple question to answer as most
of you have had to do this at some time or another.  My question is,
what is involved with restoring the air conditioning system.  I'm
guessing you would have to dispose of the old R12 Freon and switch to
134A, right?  Does that mean a new compressor?  My guess is this is
not something the average home mechanic could do, given the disposal
of Freon and recharging, etc.  What's the average cost, I know there
are many factors, but a general figure will do.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Todd
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]








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