how to AC recharge (R12)

Tuning Haus · 07-09-08, 03:18 PM

guys, i have a 93 cruiser and was going to recharge my R12 air conditioning system.

i've searched on here but i was curious as to where the high and low ports were? i was trying to look for it but couldn't find it.

thanks for any help! are there any other special instruction we need to follow to refill R12's or is it as simple as filling the R12 refridgerant in the "LOW" port while cranking the AC on max?

thanks for any help

hondaguy6513 · 07-09-08, 05:39 PM

If it's completely empty, you should really take it somewhere that has an a/c machine, they can put a vacuum on the whole system, get any water out, then fill it to specification.

If you use the cans from napa or autozone or whatever, you don't know how much you're putting in, and its hard to get a full charge.

More importantly, I thought you had to have a license to buy R12 anymore?

Kief · 07-09-08, 05:44 PM

Not if you are in Mexico. R12 is only a hazard to the ozone layer in wealthy, modern, industrialized nations.

TX Cruiser · 07-09-08, 06:10 PM

Your high and low are both on the top of the manifold plate on the compressor. Low is closest to the engine block and situated down lower than the high.

There is a reason you need freon, you have a leak and you ought to find it/them before you put a charge in the system. 134a is a nice change and believe what everyone says or not, it can blow cold, damned cold. 134 does operate at a higher pressure, and that's why you use 80% of the recommended charge for R12, that's a general rule of thumb. If you want it operating at peak performance you need to have guages.

I'd start your project by introducing compressed air or nitrogen into your system (100-150 psi) and use a spray bottle filled with soap and water to locate the leaks, they will bubble, imagine that. Most leaks can be found by the naked eye if you look for greasy grimey black build up around fittings and connections. The charge port valves are prime spots for leaks.

If you are going to do a blow and go, skipping the vacuuming, leak detection, and all the other stuff, you can get it cold, but it won't last forever.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Tuning Haus · 07-14-08, 12:52 AM

i see the ports on the ac compressor thank you. there is a line that goes toward the firewall (is that the "LOW" side?)

then there is the other line, so i am guessing one of them is high and the other is low. but there is a line that goes TOWARD the firewall and one that went AWAY.

TX Cruiser · 07-14-08, 09:04 AM

Fat lines and hoses are low side, thin is high.

07-09-08, 03:18 PM	#1
Tuning Haus IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 76	how to AC recharge (R12) guys, i have a 93 cruiser and was going to recharge my R12 air conditioning system. i've searched on here but i was curious as to where the high and low ports were? i was trying to look for it but couldn't find it. thanks for any help! are there any other special instruction we need to follow to refill R12's or is it as simple as filling the R12 refridgerant in the "LOW" port while cranking the AC on max? thanks for any help __________________ 93 Toyota Land Cruiser... Pioneer AVIC- Z1 Nav/DVD 305,000 miles!

07-09-08, 06:10 PM	#4
TX Cruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Irving, Tx TLCA# Stolen Posts: 177	Your high and low are both on the top of the manifold plate on the compressor. Low is closest to the engine block and situated down lower than the high. There is a reason you need freon, you have a leak and you ought to find it/them before you put a charge in the system. 134a is a nice change and believe what everyone says or not, it can blow cold, damned cold. 134 does operate at a higher pressure, and that's why you use 80% of the recommended charge for R12, that's a general rule of thumb. If you want it operating at peak performance you need to have guages. I'd start your project by introducing compressed air or nitrogen into your system (100-150 psi) and use a spray bottle filled with soap and water to locate the leaks, they will bubble, imagine that. Most leaks can be found by the naked eye if you look for greasy grimey black build up around fittings and connections. The charge port valves are prime spots for leaks. If you are going to do a blow and go, skipping the vacuuming, leak detection, and all the other stuff, you can get it cold, but it won't last forever. Let me know if you have anymore questions. __________________ 2- 91 FJ80's, one smashed In the family 74 FJ40 w/PTO winch, tow bar 83 FJ60 84 FJ60 90 FJ62 w/damage inducer 94 FZJ80 w/damage multiplier 95 FZJ80 " " 03 UZJ100

07-14-08, 12:52 AM	#5
Tuning Haus IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 76	i see the ports on the ac compressor thank you. there is a line that goes toward the firewall (is that the "LOW" side?) then there is the other line, so i am guessing one of them is high and the other is low. but there is a line that goes TOWARD the firewall and one that went AWAY. __________________ 93 Toyota Land Cruiser... Pioneer AVIC- Z1 Nav/DVD 305,000 miles!

07-14-08, 09:04 AM	#6
TX Cruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Irving, Tx TLCA# Stolen Posts: 177	Fat lines and hoses are low side, thin is high. __________________ 2- 91 FJ80's, one smashed In the family 74 FJ40 w/PTO winch, tow bar 83 FJ60 84 FJ60 90 FJ62 w/damage inducer 94 FZJ80 w/damage multiplier 95 FZJ80 " " 03 UZJ100

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07-09-08, 05:39 PM	#2
hondaguy6513 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 96	If it's completely empty, you should really take it somewhere that has an a/c machine, they can put a vacuum on the whole system, get any water out, then fill it to specification. If you use the cans from napa or autozone or whatever, you don't know how much you're putting in, and its hard to get a full charge. More importantly, I thought you had to have a license to buy R12 anymore?

07-09-08, 05:44 PM	#3
Kief IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southwest Oregon Posts: 1,193	Not if you are in Mexico. R12 is only a hazard to the ozone layer in wealthy, modern, industrialized nations.