Brando

Has anyone done the conversion to 134a refrigerant from the old freeze 12? My 93 ES has AC trouble every year and it is too expensive to keep repairing it using the old stuff. Has anyone had any experiance with the conversion? I would like to do it myself if possible. Also, I have heard the new 134a is not as cold as the old stuff, any experiences?

lexusk8

Moving this to Maintenance.

GSquicksilver

i've done it on an 87 toyota cressida. i just made sure nothing was left, no more R12 left in the system. then i just loaded it up with 134. using it for 1 year already, no problem.

Lexs400

I would recommend that you fix the issue first. If there is a leak, the system will leak regardless of the type of freon you use.
R12 cools better.

Brando

Yeah R12 cools better but it is just sooo expensive anytime I have a problem. The first time it cost me $1600 because the shop said I had leaks everywhere. They replaced the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and all the lines. They filled it back up and it ran cold for a year. Then the new compressor failed and leaked it all out. They replaced the compressor under warranty but is still cost me around $300 for the labor and the refill of R12. I am just worried that I am going to go through this every year as something is going to fail. On the conversion on the Cressida does it cool as well as before?

GSquicksilver

very cool. it's not that noticeably different.

my gs400 runs on the new 134 stuff compared to my 93 LS400 which runs on the R12 stuff, it is much cooler than the R12, and my LS400 has no leaks at all.

hyperopt

Let's be fair and compare apples to apples. A converted R12 to R134a will NOT run as cool and as efficient when compared to the originally designed R12 system.

Hit Man X

I know this was posted a few weeks ago but I'll give some info here...



134A systems only hold 80% the capacity of R12 ones when converted due to running higher pressure, that's why they don't cool as well.

Any time you have to go into an AC system, do it once. Replace all o-rings, expansion device, dryer/accumulator, hoses if they leak, etc. Shop around parts aren't nearly that expensive.

If you paid $1600 and the system failed one year later, it wasn't rebuilt properly. It was low on oil, had a leak somewhere, etc. Heck, if it wasn't charged properly it could have killed the compressor. I've totally rebuilt systems for less than $700 like I did in my LS... the compressor seized and I had it back running for about $640.

Reman compressors are crap, get a good used one or a new one.

R12 is about $14-18/lb if you look. If you're paying more than that, you're paying too much.

Condensors are redesigned for systems that come with 134A... they're made to hold additional capacity from the factory. Unless you do this also, it will NEVER cool as well.

Basically, don't be scared of R12... there's not a thing wrong with it aside from it depleting the ozone layer.

minty99z

There is a TSB on your 93 ES' as far as air conditioning goes a page long with numbers for a retro kit as well. PM me if you want part numbers....

koolaidman

unless u have a recovery machine dont do it ur self. u need to evac the system put it in a vac inject pag oil then put 134a other wise its not hard

Todd1225

My 93 SC300 was converted this week, the total cost was $1,027. The compressor was 771.00 of that, the rest was misc conversion parts, compressor oil, refrigerant, and labor. Hope this helps.

minty99z

Here is the TSB for the 92-93 ES for retrofit system and reciever
Part numbers
888840-33020(retrokit)
90099-14044 x2 (orings)
90099-14045(oring)
08885-09107(oil)
88471-16050(reciever/dryer)
Retro kit has everything you need to convert except for the 4 parts seperately stated....
This TSB is also for the 92-93 SC300 and SC400.....same part numbers
if you have a 90-91 LS400 the only number that changes is the receiver to Part number 88471-12040...
Good day