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Re: AC- R12 v R134a
Posted by David Prantl (more from David Prantl) on Thu, 1 Jul 1999 21:14:27
In Reply to: AC- R12 v R134a, Chasisaac1, Tue, 29 Jun 1999 16:36:44 
It seems that A/C questions are becoming more popular these days...

I have converted one car from R12 to R134a with success.

New parts:
condenser (was leaking)
expansion valve
receiver/drier
charging port fitting adapters
all o-rings.

Old parts:
evaporator
compressor
all hoses.

Tools and equipment:
Air compressor - (~$200 no39sdcx6spamx782 Home Depot)
air-operated vacuum pump - (~$15 no39sdcx6spamx782 Harbor Freight Tools)
air-operated pressure-flush kit - (~$25 no39sdcx6spamx782 JCWhitney)
R134a gauge/charging-hose set - (~$100 no39sdcx6spamx782 AutoZone)

Supplies and materials:
flush agent (plain old mineral spirits) - (few bucks no39sdcx6spamx782 hardware store)
3 12oz cans of R134a refrigerant - ($5 each no39sdcx6spamx782 JCWhitney)
1 8.5oz can of Ester oil charge - ($7 no39sdcx6spamx782 JCWhitney)

Prices for SAAB-specific A/C parts can be found at 
http://www.townsendimports.com.  I have found an aftermarket source for 
condensers (about $100 for older SAAB 900 and 9000 models) that work great - 
http://www.airpronet.com.

The result was an A/C system EQUALLY COLD as if it had R12 in it.  All it 
cost was less than $200 for parts and supplies, about $350 for tools and 
equipment, and lots of free time.  The parts I didn't need to replace do 
cost a substantial amount of money (new) - evaporator ~$200+, compressor 
$350-$400, set of hoses ~$200.  I believe SAAB sells the hose set as part of 
an 'official' R134a retrofit/conversion kit (not sure though), and that 
aftermarket hoses for 900's can be found substantially cheaper still.

I am still having trouble with a rebuilt-aftermarket compressor for the '86 
9000T, and need a replacement condenser fan for the '88 9000S.  I hope to 
find the time (eventually) to work these 2 things out and get both cars 
going with A/C again.

Hope this helps.

David Prantl
david_prantlno39sdcx6spamx782hotmail.com
'84 900S, 210kMi, RIP
'86 9000T, 168kMi
'88 9000S, 134kMi
'68 97 Sonett V4, 76kMi, #000467


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