Where can I get the R12 refrigerant in my ac system recovered?

[The Steel Cabbage]

I have an ac system that runs on R12 refrigerant, and I need to know where I can get it recovered and I also need to know how much it costs. I've had people tell me that it can cost as much as $100... is this true? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[spideyjected]

I assume a gm dealer could do it. Mine just all leaked out...

[neo71665]

Most any mechanic shop will suck it out. The question is if its working and not already leaked out why?

[The Steel Cabbage]

The truth is, I don't really know if the R12 is in there. I know that the a/c blows warm air, so I can conclude that something is wrong with either the compressor, or with the absence of refrigerant. All I know is that the system feels like its under pressure. when I go to move the tubing, it feels very firm. If it moved a bit more freely (like the upper radiator hose), I'd say otherwise.

Does anyone know the cost of this recovery procedure?

[spideyjected]

The hoses are hard anyway.

[neo71665]

The hoses are hard anyway.


x2

If its not blowing cold air and the compressor is non stop kicking in and out when the ac is on your low or out and already have a leak.

[Jongo88]

Sounds like you guys know a hard hose when you see one...:rolleyes:

[neo71665]

Sounds like you guys know a hard hose when you see one...:rolleyes:


It must suck being old huh, they do have a little blue pill so you can see what one looks like again.

[spideyjected]

My compressor gave up on kicking in at all.

[Jongo88]

It must suck being old huh, they do have a little blue pill so you can see what one looks like again.
Thanks for lettin me know what color they are..:D I see you know.:rolleyes:
So you know so much about them how good do they work??:eek:

[em98ss]

Best thing to do is have all the R-12 pumped or vacuumed out, get a retro fit kit that goes from R-12 to 134A. In order to purchase R-12 you have to have a licenses to get it, and your right it's very expensive,R-12 is getting hard to come by at the parts store, unless you are a repair shop that deals with it a lot, but you still have to order it still, if you want it in large quantities

Save yourself some money, and have it redone, it will be cheaper in the long run.

If your system is empty,or real low on freon, it could mess with your defrost, mine,.. I couldn't figure out what was causing the radical idle when I turned my defrosters on, but idled ok, after I shut it off. I was told the AC system was way low on freon. Sure Enough,.......

I didn't know that the defrost had anything to do with the AC system, lol, but it do.

[The Steel Cabbage]

Damn it! I knew that I was walking on thin ice when I mentioned hard tubing! :lol2:

Aside from that... is there a way of releasing the pressure in the system without going to an ac shop? If the system is indeed almost empty, there's no point in taking it in to get the refrigerant recovered.

I just want to be able to safely take the accumulator, condenser, tubing, etc out without worrying about pressure in the tubes. I once had someone tell me to put a screwdriver into the low pressure valve and vent it into the atmosphere. Is that a acceptable idea, or is there a better way to do this?

[The Steel Cabbage]

I already know how to redo the ac system to make it R134a.

Take out accumulator, orifice tube, old R12 compressor. Get new tubing, new accumulator, new orifice tube and retro fit kit. Flush old condenser, evaporator, etc with ac flush/ester oil. Install compressor, tubing, accumulator, retro fit kit, etc. Turn ac to max setting and install the R134a refrigerant.

I just want to know how to depressurize the system since it can't be recovered.

[neo71665]

Thanks for lettin me know what color they are..:D I see you know.:rolleyes:
So you know so much about them how good do they work??:eek:

I can tell you an 18 year old after long enough gets forced to sleeping on the couch after eating 1/2 a pill.

[neo71665]

I already know how to redo the ac system to make it R134a.

Take out accumulator, orifice tube, old R12 compressor. Get new tubing, new accumulator, new orifice tube and retro fit kit. Flush old condenser, evaporator, etc with ac flush/ester oil. Install compressor, tubing, accumulator, retro fit kit, etc. Turn ac to max setting and install the R134a refrigerant.

I just want to know how to depressurize the system since it can't be recovered.


If it is indeed leaking or has already leaked out there is no pressure left. You can't just turn the system on max either. You must have a vacuum pulled on it, leak tested, and then fill it.

[The Steel Cabbage]

What I mean is turning the a/c to max will engage the compressor. From what I understand you can only fill the system properly with the system active. I could be wrong though...

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-repair-a-vehicle-s-ac-and-cooling-system-102457/

[jasond]

You can remove the valve core with a removal tool. They only cost a couple of bucks. Releasing r12 into the atmosphere is illegal, and there is a hefty fine IF you get caught.

[Jay-Sliver]

If you want to see if you have ANY refrigerant in the system at all, follow your AC lines till you find the red cap. This is the "high side" service port. There is a blue cap too, its the "Low side" service port. Remove the cap. Under the cap, is a schrader valve, mych like the one in your tire valve stem. Take a small screwdriver or dental pick or a nail, and very quickly, press and release the high side schrader valve. If a blast of "air" (whic is actually refrigerant and compressor oil) then you know your system is either Charged, or partially charged, and needs to be put under a vaccuum at a shop and have it evacuated, and checked for leaks. If nothing comes out, well, it needs to go to the shop and be put under a vaccuum to see how severe the leak is, and further diagnosed from there.

Hope this sheds some light for you.

Jay

[The Steel Cabbage]

Last two answers by jasond & Jay_Pollard are very helpful (especially the in depth description from Jay_Pollard!). :clap2:

It's a bit too late in the evening to be messing around under the hood now (damn daylight savings!), but I'll definitely be giving an update tomorrow as to what I find.

[Jay-Sliver]

Cool. Lets hear about it when you get it sorted out.

Jay

[The Steel Cabbage]

Well I messed around with the valve stem and nothing came through... not even a slight hiss! The ac system must not have a lick of refrigerant! :doh:

It looks like the welds that keep the evaporator and the dryer together are going bad, and it also looks like one of the lower ac tubes is going bad (the seam where the metal meets with the rubber tube is rusted). I couldn't see the welds going bad before I started taking things apart because the evaporator welds had a thick layer of caulk(?) around them.

I think I'm just going to take all that crap out since it's in such disrepair. It's funny how the ac tubes are brand new, but the fittings and welds are ****. :mad:

Just one more question... am I going to have to take the dash apart to get the evaporator out?

[Jongo88]

Not the dash. It is in the black box on the engine side of the fire wall. You can remove it without a big problem. You mite want to find a heat only box. It will give you so much more room to work on the motor when the time comes.

[The Steel Cabbage]

A heat only box... is that what it's actually called? Were could I find one? That extra room could come in very handy!

[neo71665]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy-S10-V8-Conversion-AC-Delete-Heater-Box-Street-Rod_W0QQitemZ260507591144QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors _Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca77661e8

And if you wanna go as far but most guys just leave the one with ac in it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy-S10-V8-Conversion-AC-Delete-Heater-Control-Grey_W0QQitemZ260506141211QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca760421b

[The Steel Cabbage]

Alright. It looks like that's what I'm going to do. I'm working on getting a new gas tank on before it snows, but if I manage to get the ac pulled, I'll post some pics of the before and after. Thank you all for the help!