Charging my 62's A/C

[tsototh]

Well, my 62 has already been converted to R134. I have a can of R134 on hand and was wondering which port on the compressor I need to use to charge it? I figured since I had the R134, I'd give the recharge a try. My compressor has two ports, both with black caps, so I'm not sure which one to use to charge it...

Ideas, opinions?

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

Do you have the charge hose? How about a set of gauges? Why do you need to charge the A/C, is it not blowing cold?

R134 fittings are different sizes. If you have one of those auto part store "recharge kits", it should have a hose. You will want to fill from the low side (or suction side), this is the hose coming from the cab (from the evaporator). A/C is one of those places that more is not always better, if you put to much freon in you can actually reduce performance and damage components.

 

[tsototh]

I have one of those cans of R134 with the hose and connector (screws on) and it has a gauge on it. What pressure should I go to (the can has a "green" zone for pressure)?

On my car, there is a very obvious Low pressure fitting on the A/C line, I just didn't see it on my FJ62. The only fittings I saw similar to it were on the compressor.

 

[tsototh]

And yeah, it isn't blowing cold, that is the reason I want to charge it...

 

[bigboss]

try putting it in the high side other words the side that goes to the radiator in the front of the vehcle that is prob best and it not always a pressure issue but a temp issue you need to look at when filling because of the pressure being proportional to the temp at certain ambient temp if this makes any sense
other words make sure it is empty then put 400 grams in high side then start engine put aircon on and put further 400grams into low side 800 grams should do the trick from empty

 

[tsototh]

Bump... I'm still not 100% sure with this answer... So do I charge on one of the ports on the compressor? Which one?

 

[michael.e]

Hey,
about how much did you end up paying for a change over? The shop that I am talking to, wants to charge me like $600 for the changeover and replacement of 2 parts in the system.

They say the cost is in removing the old refrigerant. EPA regulations and such.



Emee

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

I call BS on the removing old R12. The stuff is almost like gold. They can not produce or import any more, but it can be recycled. Most modern recovery machines also recycle it at make it available for recharge into another system.

What components do they want to replace? The Receiver/dryer should be replaced as the desiccant is different for the two refrigerants.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

Bump... I'm still not 100% sure with this answer... So do I charge on one of the ports on the compressor? Which one?

You want the section port on the compressor. Should be marked with and "S". It is the one closest to the engine and to the rear of the compressor (the two ports are off set). Just to make sure again, you have the changeover valves (quick connect type fitting) instead of the screw on fittings on the compressor?

 

[AfricanToy]

Thank you, good pic

 

[tsototh]

I've got the screw on fittings on my compressor... Does that mean it is R12? The guy I bought it from said it was already converted...

 

[1972FJ55]

If it has screw-on fittings, it should be R12, however, it's common for people to charge systems with R134 using an adapter fitting, and then remove the fitting when they're done. The only way to know what's in it for sure is to find a shop with an identifier and have them hook it up and see what's in it. Hopefully, it's straight R12 or R134 and not a mixture.
Good luck,
Rex

 

[tsototh]

Do you know if there is a color difference between the two? There is some green residue on the port... What would happen if I just tried to charge it with R134, hypothetically of course?

 

[1972FJ55]

Hi,
Green residue is usually dye that's injected in the system to identify leaks (using a UV light). If the system isn't working, it won't hurt anything to try putting R134 in it, worst case is it contaminates the system-it might work ok, just may not last. But if you get through the season, that's ok. You may need an adapter fitting to go from the threaded R12 fitting to the quick disconnect R134 fitting.
Good luck,
Rex

 

[tsototh]

So putting in the R134 (if R12 was in it) wouldn't kill the compressor right?

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

So putting in the R134 (if R12 was in it) wouldn't kill the compressor right?

You really should know what is in there before you start adding "more". Besides the refrigerant, you want to make sure the correct oil is in there too.

If there are no R134a fittings and no retrofit label, it has not been done properly. I don't know why you would charge R134 through the R12 ports with out using (and keep attached) the R134a retrofit fittings. They are not expensive and are easy to install. I would recommend taking it to a shop (maybe you have a good relationship with a small independent). Evacuate the system (testing what was in there), and get a conversion kit (or recharge with R12) or have the shop do the conversion for you.

But that's just what I would do.