a/c is out

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mikgrail3

mikgrail3

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Threads
37
Messages
267
Location
Arizona
The a/c in my 92 just stopped working. The compressor is not turning on anymore. It blew nice and cold two weeks ago, now nothing. It has the R12 coolant in it. My first guess at what is wrong is that I possibly have a leak and the pressure is low not allowing the compressor to engage. There is a sticker in the engine compartment stating it has fluorescent dye in it, but I cannot see any leaks with my blacklight. Maybe I'll check at night. I'm looking for a place in N Phoenix where I can get a recharge and a pressure check to find where a leak might be. Any recommendations? Thanks
 
If it's R-12 you probably need to pay the folks in Nogales a visit or convert to R-134a
 
R12 is still readily available at most every repair shop. In 1989 they made it sound like R12 would be gone from the face of the planet in two years.....
 
murf said:
R12 is still readily available at most every repair shop. In 1989 they made it sound like R12 would be gone from the face of the planet in two years.....
Click to expand...

just costs a bit more :meh:
 
Yeah, from what I understand a license is needed to obtain and use nowadays, which drives up the price. I figured right now would be a good time to service the system and recharge it, since the demand is down. Hopefully that keeps the price lower.
 
cruiser_guy said:
... or convert to R-134a
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I wouldn't convert a R12 unit that is operated in the desert to R134 until R12 is no longer available. R12 is more efficient/blows colder, especially important in a station wagon. :hillbilly:
 
Certification, yes.

mikgrail3 said:
Yeah, from what I understand a license is needed to obtain and use nowadays, which drives up the price. I figured right now would be a good time to service the system and recharge it, since the demand is down. Hopefully that keeps the price lower.
Click to expand...

Go here for info on the open book certification exam. Anyone who wrenches on their own gear should have a look and see if they feel comfortable with having the cert.

MACS | Section 609 Certification

I am certified, and have worked with Rex down here in Tucson to buy parts and R-12. Best investment of time I've ever made, and I agree that so long as I can continue to get R-12 for the A/C on my FJ60, I will continue to run it.

Glenn in Tucson
 
Any shop can still service an R12 system. All that dichlorodifluoromethane they pump out of your system gets recycled and is handled correctly. Normally I would suggest converting to R134 but if you don’t service your system yourself then it there isn’t any advantage to switching to 134 and your system will run a lot better on R12 because it was designed for it. I agree with Tools R Us, you will be much happier running your system on R12 than on R134. I converted my 88 Toyota PU to 134 (by convert I mean just put in 134). In the small cab of my PU it is acceptable but in the large volume on the Land Crusher you will not be happy. When it’s 110 F outside my PU cools down to about 85 F when sitting in traffic and down to about 75 F when doing 40+ MPH on the highway. If you are going to fix the AC, now is the time to do it. Remember the ideal gas law PV=NRT, you will get a better charge in your system when the outside temperature is cooler. As far as the leak goes don’t count on the dye to show you where it is, I have not had much luck using it. I had a leak once that took 2 weeks to drop low enough for the compressor pressure switch to shut off. That leak was smaller than the particle size of the dye. A sniffer is the way to go to trouble shoot the leak.
 
I converted 2 years ago and have never thought twice about it. I had a seal go out on the compressor and the guys next to the old Truckworks shop in Tempe did everything for a real good price.
 
I'm definitely not looking to convert right now. I'll stick with the R12 until it runs out or something major quits on the system, like the compressor. I'm looking for a place that can service it for me here in the north Phoenix area. My previous vehicles had factory warranties on them, so I haven't had the pleasure of befriending a local independent Toyota mechanic. Who knows one that won't rip me off? BTDT
 
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