How to recharge my own R-12 air conditioning system?

Rockworthy

New Member
Hello friendly forum! I have a 1993 Integra. My car has the old-school R-12 style air conditioning system. I had my mechanic look at it today and he said it was "about 2 cans short". I asked him if he would recharge it but he says they don't do the old R-12 systems and doesn't know anyone who will! So I'm wondering: is this an easy job that I can do myself? There is a schrader-valve-looking valve right on the AC pipe right next to the radiator. Do I just hook up something to that valve and pump the fluid in there or what? Has anyone done this to their car here on the forums? Thanks for the tips,

Rockworthy
 

maddogg20

New Member
In 1995-1996 auto makers fazed R-12 out. They went to the new more environmentally friendly R-134A. R-12 is extremely hard to find if you live in a state like california, lol like me, and if you are able to find some you usually need to have an EPA license to purchase it. Your best bet would be to convert over to R-134A. it is readily available at autopart stores. Youll need to go online or to a parts house and get the retrofit kit which usually consists of compressor oil and a new set of O-rings. Just remove your compressor, drain the oil from it, refill it, replace your reciever drier, change the O-rings on the components that you removed, put it back together and recharge it. Youll be good to go.
 

Teggykid952

New Member
Yeah mine's converted. I don't think I've ever actually seen a can of R-12. Definitely convert it though, it makes things a lot easier.
 

maddogg20

New Member
bout 4 years ago, I went to Tijuana with my friend, keep in mind this was before all the piece of crap drug dealers were cutting peoples head off and stuff and it was relatively "safe" lol, I walked into one of the autozones they had down there and much to my suprise they had actualy cans of R-12 there. I hadnt ever seen a small can of R-12, just the big cylinders, so I bought a few, they were only like 8 bucks. I do know that if you buy a bunch and get caught trying to bring it over the border, your ass is grass.
 


WAR 178

Premium User
some small parts stores do have R-12 if you ask. But you are req to have a lic. for it. Some spots will sell it to ya. Check out some A/C repair places as well...they have it, and can prob. install it for ya as well. The best bet and more trouble free route in the long run, would be to just change the system over to R-134.
 

gugiey

New Member
Best changes to r134-a
only only some mechanics stoked up on the r-12
if you look around you may find one who has it . but its a really slim chance .

and i do not know any way to do it your self. he way i know is a machine that is needed to recharge
 


maddogg20

New Member
if you were to buy a manifold gauge set from like autozone or pepboys you could definitely do it yourself. You use your gauges and hook them to the high side and low side and the center (yellow) hose to the jug or can of refrigerant and you charge it like that and check the pressures to make sure that you got it full. I would HIGHLY recommend having it done for you if you dont really know what your doing because you can hurt yourself and damage equipment. A shop will hook their machine to the car and put a vacuum on the lines removing all foreign contaminants and air before they charge the system to make sure that you get a clean environment for the new freon.

Andy
 

Rockworthy

New Member
Which valve is the "low side" valve? The one right up next to the radiator or the smaller valve a little farther back by the air intake box?
 
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