At 08:54 PM 4/3/2010, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>What do you guys recommend?  If the system needs work, why not
>retrofit at the same time?  After all, I figure it will leak again
>in eventually, and I'd rather it leak R134a than R12.  Is there a
>reason not to retrofit, other than the belief that many seem to have
>(which may be true) that it is not as good a refrigerant?

It's *not* as good a refrigerant as R12 -- systems built for it
compensate for this.  To convert I believe you'll need to change the
receiver-dryer, the hoses and the internal charge of oil.

The major cause of refrigerant leaks in a system like this is the
compressor shaft seals, and the best preventive measure is to
exercise the system for at least ten minutes a week, hot or cold (the
latter instruction is from my Honda Accord manual). This prevents the
seals from hardening and losing their compliance.

Personally I'd recommend sticking with the R12 (and replacing the
compressor seals).  The loss over say ten years amounts to a few
aerosol-cans worth of Freon propellant, which we used to spray around
perfectly freely at the least excuse.

Yours,
David