-----Original Message-----
From: PAT <pdooley@GTE.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 11:56
Subject: Re: Vanagon A/C: R-12 to R-134a No-Mod Changeout

>Call your local garages.  Most will evacuate your R12 system for free.
They
>reuse your R12 in other cars.  Some clowns will try to charge you to
>evacuate.
>Have a garage pull a vacuum on your system.  You should leak test it first
>before paying someone to evacuate a leaking system.  I guess you could
>pressurize the system with compressed air to leak check, any better ways to
>do this?  After you are satisfied your system is holding a vacuum, add the
>134A.  Make sure you add the ester oil before pulling the vacuum.
>Good luck, PSD.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@MTWP.K12.PA.US>
>To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
>Date: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 11:28 AM
>Subject: Re: Vanagon A/C: R-12 to R-134a No-Mod Changeout
>
>
>>I've seen a R-12 to R134A conversion kit, which contains new refrigerant,
>>a can of oil, adapters, and hoses, BUT...
>>
>>Don't we need to have someone evacuate the system and flush it before
>>using this kit? Or can I just put the new stuff in?
>>
>>Caveat: My system is drained of R-12 over the last couple of years,
>>slowly getting warmer--unfortunately, I don't use it much--I should have
>>turned it on every 2 weeks like I think Joel recommended once....
>>
>>Opinions? BTW, I won't vent any leftover R-12 into the air, so that's not
>>an option.
>>
>>--Dave
>>
>>On 5/20/98 11:05 AM EST, PAT said:
>>
>>>I have heard the ester oil in the conversion kits protects the compressor
>>>seals.  Apparently R12 helps cool and lubricate the compressor better
then
>>>134A, so R12 systems can get by with a "lesser" oil.  This is purely
>>>opinion, from people I have talked to.

   There is something you may want to look into. Penzoil puts out something
called FR-12 (R-12 with an "F" in front). This is supposed to be more effici
ent than R-134 and is something the Feds are not up arms about (at least not
yet). I had my 88 Plymouth converted to it and it cooled great for a couple
of weeks when a hose blew (Chrysler wanted $300 for a replacement hose and I
have NEVER been that hot).
   The disadantage of this stuff is that it is not available at K-Mart like
R-134 is. It seems that, even though FR-12 meets the same restrictions as
R-134 and shhould be allowed in the stores, the bureaucrats dont like the
name (sounds too much like R-12) and so have restricted.