A/C Recharge (Should I convert to R134a?) - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

TexasZR1 · 03-23-2019

I have a 1990 ZR-1 with about 54k miles on it.

It's throwing a low refrigerant code on the AC unit. After resetting, it will blow cold air for a few minutes before throwing the code again.

Testing with a sniffer, it looks like the leak is the high side schrader valve. I have not detected leaks anywhere else, but I see some dusty oil around the fitting housing the expansion orifice. So I'm thinking I should go ahead and break the system open to replace the shcrader valves, o-rings and orifice. May as well replace the drier with the system open and replace all the seals where I break connections.

For the recharge:

- Any way for a technician to tell what refrigerant is in the system? It has a little charge of something in it. Not concerned about keeping, just want to know since it may affect what I recharge with?

Ideally, I'd be able to certain it had R12, and then refill with R12 ($125 for 1.75lbs from ebay).

Option 2 - Recharge with Alternate refrigerant

-What additional steps do I need to take to recharge with R134a? I've read the hoses made for R12 systems do not handle R134a well and will leach refrigerant through them? Is that true for the hoses used on a 1990, or would they have already been using hoses compatible with R134a at that point?

- What about Red Tek? Anything special I would need to do to recharge with this? It's cheaper than R12, and I can get it and charge it myself (i have a vacuum pump, would just need to have the existing refrigerant recovered at a shop).

I want to try to do as much of the work myself, but I don't want to mess anything up.

I've revived a few R134a systems before, but my third gen camaro was already converted when I purchased, and it's significantly less concerning how the job turns out (being that it's NOT a ZR1...)

Any advice appreciated!

03-23-2019	#1
TexasZR1 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 38	A/C Recharge (Should I convert to R134a?) I have a 1990 ZR-1 with about 54k miles on it. It's throwing a low refrigerant code on the AC unit. After resetting, it will blow cold air for a few minutes before throwing the code again. Testing with a sniffer, it looks like the leak is the high side schrader valve. I have not detected leaks anywhere else, but I see some dusty oil around the fitting housing the expansion orifice. So I'm thinking I should go ahead and break the system open to replace the shcrader valves, o-rings and orifice. May as well replace the drier with the system open and replace all the seals where I break connections. For the recharge: - Any way for a technician to tell what refrigerant is in the system? It has a little charge of something in it. Not concerned about keeping, just want to know since it may affect what I recharge with? Ideally, I'd be able to certain it had R12, and then refill with R12 ($125 for 1.75lbs from ebay). Option 2 - Recharge with Alternate refrigerant -What additional steps do I need to take to recharge with R134a? I've read the hoses made for R12 systems do not handle R134a well and will leach refrigerant through them? Is that true for the hoses used on a 1990, or would they have already been using hoses compatible with R134a at that point? - What about Red Tek? Anything special I would need to do to recharge with this? It's cheaper than R12, and I can get it and charge it myself (i have a vacuum pump, would just need to have the existing refrigerant recovered at a shop). I want to try to do as much of the work myself, but I don't want to mess anything up. I've revived a few R134a systems before, but my third gen camaro was already converted when I purchased, and it's significantly less concerning how the job turns out (being that it's NOT a ZR1...) Any advice appreciated!