Which refrigerant is my Cruiser using?

[moiremusic]

The previous owner (only owned it for a year) said my '89 FJ62 was still on R12, but I went out to double-check this morning, and an R12 hose I had doesn't seem to be fitting on to the outside-threaded valve (hose is a little too large for the valve). Plus, one of those looks like a quick-release, which I thought was evidence of a R134a upgrade.

Just so I can be sure, what kind of refrigerant do these fittings look like to you? This is a top-down and rear-view of the compressor:

 

[cruiser88]

its been converted over to 134A

 

[moiremusic]

You sure, cruiser88? Can you tell me how you know?

 

[cruiser88]

they are using the conversion kit........and that kit comes with those nipples.

r12 uses smaller fittings than 134 a

 

[cruiser88]

I went and looked a little better and I will tell you what he or she has done.

the internal workings of the system are oem and it probely does have some r12 still left in it.

the bad news if he did what I think he did the sytem stopped cooling so he went to the nearest part store and bought the conversion kit which comes with the 3 cans of gas depending on who sells it it might have stop leak and maybe mixed with a 134a type oil

it will come with 3 cans of gas
a pressure guage that show blue when its low, green when its full and red...........damnit stop.......its full and some kits will throw in an o-ring

however it will also include 2 fittings...........high and low side. Low is where you fill it the high side is only for checking presure..............etc.The low side will screw onto the old r12 fitting just like the high side. That is the ONLY way quickly that you can convert the system over to 134a from r12

If I am right.........you have a mess but not the end of the world.

you need a new ac dryer, vaccum pump, manifold gauges, nitrogen, system flush.........and that is the bacis.

OR you can do what 80% of these old toyota guys do and just keep filling till the system totally fails. what ever gets your beer cold so to speak.

I will tell you what I tell everybody else. It may last a long time it may last a summer. Its all about how long you are keeping the rig and if yu have the money to fix it properly.

 

[moiremusic]

Just so I understand fully...

1 - So you are saying the previous owner added a 134a conversion kit without flushing the system, and eventually it's going to gunk up the whole system?

2 - Either way, 134a is definitely what I should adding now?

3 - I fill it at the quick-release valve, correct?

 

[moiremusic]

Well, I took it to a local shop and had them put a machine on it. They couldn't detect any R12, so I guess the previous owner did the job right. That breaks my streak of 5 Texas summers without a/c.

 

[cruiser88]

that is what I am willing to bet

Yes ........you fill the low side

yes the oils dont blend

yes it appears you may want to use 134a

Just so I understand fully...

1 - So you are saying the previous owner added a 134a conversion kit without flushing the system, and eventually it's going to gunk up the whole system?

2 - Either way, 134a is definitely what I should adding now?

3 - I fill it at the quick-release valve, correct?

 

[splitshot]

Might want to vac the system down and add some dye before you recharge also.

 

[cruiser88]

i ADDED THAT IN HIS OTHER THREAD...opps caps

Might want to vac the system down and add some dye before you recharge also.