Addicted To Boost Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I'm going to be recharging the AC on my 91 GP soon. The previous owner of the car said the AC worked great until one day when it mysteriously stopped working. Since I've had the car, I found a loose fitting that I could turn with my fingers near the condensor. So I'm going to replace the o-rings in every connection I can, replace the orifice tube, and have the system vacuumed down before I recharge it. I have a couple questions: What orifice tube should I use? This is an R-12 system that I'm converting to R-134A, so should I use an orifice tube from an application that uses R-134A, or should I just buy an orifice tube that was meant for R-12 useage? Someone on TGPforums mentioned something about using a blue ford orifice tube in a first gen when converting to R-134A.. I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Is there anything else I should do before I recharge the AC? I'm just planning on replacing the o-rings, replace orifice tube, making sure all connections are tight, have the system vacuumed down, and recharge it. Anything else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnymossville Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I converted my '93 Euro to R-134a two years ago and all I did was bought the conversion kit with the ester oil and refrigerant. I just evacuated the system and installed it as per the directions. I did not mess with the orifice tube or anything else. That thing will freeze you out and I have had absolutely no trouble with it. I have been doing A/C repair at work for the last 26 years, converting a system over to R-134a is simple and most everyone tries to make sound more complicated than it is. You should have no trouble at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm going to be recharging the AC on my 91 GP soon. The previous owner of the car said the AC worked great until one day when it mysteriously stopped working. Since I've had the car, I found a loose fitting that I could turn with my fingers near the condensor. So I'm going to replace the o-rings in every connection I can, replace the orifice tube, and have the system vacuumed down before I recharge it. I have a couple questions: What orifice tube should I use? This is an R-12 system that I'm converting to R-134A, so should I use an orifice tube from an application that uses R-134A, or should I just buy an orifice tube that was meant for R-12 useage? Someone on TGPforums mentioned something about using a blue ford orifice tube in a first gen when converting to R-134A.. I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Is there anything else I should do before I recharge the AC? I'm just planning on replacing the o-rings, replace orifice tube, making sure all connections are tight, have the system vacuumed down, and recharge it. Anything else? im interested in knowing how the system will be vacuumed as i don't know how that will be done. you going to have a shop do it or are you going to do that yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm going to be recharging the AC on my 91 GP soon. The previous owner of the car said the AC worked great until one day when it mysteriously stopped working. Since I've had the car, I found a loose fitting that I could turn with my fingers near the condensor. So I'm going to replace the o-rings in every connection I can, replace the orifice tube, and have the system vacuumed down before I recharge it. I have a couple questions: What orifice tube should I use? This is an R-12 system that I'm converting to R-134A, so should I use an orifice tube from an application that uses R-134A, or should I just buy an orifice tube that was meant for R-12 useage? Someone on TGPforums mentioned something about using a blue ford orifice tube in a first gen when converting to R-134A.. I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Is there anything else I should do before I recharge the AC? I'm just planning on replacing the o-rings, replace orifice tube, making sure all connections are tight, have the system vacuumed down, and recharge it. Anything else? im interested in knowing how the system will be vacuumed as i don't know how that will be done. you going to have a shop do it or are you going to do that yourself? theres vacuum pumps all over ebay... when i did wifeys GP, i pressurized the lines first with a compressor, then tried to blow as much crap out of them while holding the lower valve open while pushing in pressure from the higher one. then vacuum. you would probably get more stuff out that way, but it was probably overkill. 2 days later, with the a/c blowing cold as shit, a fitting let loose and all the refrigerant was gone in a very short time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm going to be recharging the AC on my 91 GP soon. The previous owner of the car said the AC worked great until one day when it mysteriously stopped working. Since I've had the car, I found a loose fitting that I could turn with my fingers near the condensor. So I'm going to replace the o-rings in every connection I can, replace the orifice tube, and have the system vacuumed down before I recharge it. I have a couple questions: What orifice tube should I use? This is an R-12 system that I'm converting to R-134A, so should I use an orifice tube from an application that uses R-134A, or should I just buy an orifice tube that was meant for R-12 useage? Someone on TGPforums mentioned something about using a blue ford orifice tube in a first gen when converting to R-134A.. I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Is there anything else I should do before I recharge the AC? I'm just planning on replacing the o-rings, replace orifice tube, making sure all connections are tight, have the system vacuumed down, and recharge it. Anything else? you have the correct idea. I think the orifice tube is the same between them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 you have the correct idea. I think the orifice tube is the same between them. Awesome. Should I replace the accumulator tank as well or no? I've heard conflicting reasons for whether or not it should be replaced.. I think they carry moisture? Yes, I would have it vacuumed down at a shop and then recharge it myself. I don't have the vacuum machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 The accumulator *should* be replaced, but it isn't 100% necessary...unless you're buying a new or reman compressor, then you have to replace it in order to get the warranty on the compressor. I've done retrofits the right way and the wrong way and honestly never had a problem with any of them. A lot of people do use the Ford orifice tube with conversions, but I don't think it's necessary either. I have a standard orifice tube in my '93 GP w/ r134a and it's ICE cold. I've seen vent temps of 36*F when it's 90*F+ outside for what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm going to use the factory compressor that is in it, it does work when I jump the pins at the relay and sounds fine. Matt, have you replaced the accumulator on your GP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I've never replaced the accumulator. Actually... If i did, I would get one from a J/Y... as long as it came from a car that was factory equipped with R134, if the unit is the same. I beleive the reason you want to replace it is to remove old (incompatible) oil residue from the desicant bag in the accumulator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm going to use the factory compressor that is in it, it does work when I jump the pins at the relay and sounds fine. Matt, have you replaced the accumulator on your GP? Yeah, I replaced it Nick. It was only around $20 at one of the part stores a few years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I would also advise replacing the accumulator. I replaced it when I fixed my a/c a month ago, along with the orifice tube and o-rings. I didn't need a vacuum pump though, as I managed to get the compressor on long enough to have it suck in the pag oil and refrigerant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Alright, thanks guys. Andrei, I'd like to get it vacuumed down to remove any moisture or residual oil and refrigerant left over in the system so nothing reacts when I put in the R-134A refrigerant, as this is an R-12 system and it still has a tiny bit of system pressure. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 gotcha. that makes sense. my a/c system was empty and dry for 2 years before I filled it back up, so I knew there was nothing left. good luck with your repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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