Need some help getting the AC going?

[alvald83]

I have been trying to take my truck in to get my AC system going. I am prepared to pay whatever it cost to get it going, the problem is, when i have taken in to different shops they look at it as though it is from a different planet.
I found a shop today that is willing to fix it and they seem to know how to tackle the job.
My question is what steps should i expect them to do? Do they do a leak test first? Evacuate the system? They where talking about using some dye of some sort. The system has not been converted yet. Any advice or info is greatly appreciated.

[fordman]

the first thing is to check the system for leaks. that would be with a evacuation of hte system . if it holds a vacuum the system is good. if it doesnt hold a vacuum then it has leaks. sicne they don't like you looking for leaks by filling the system and lettingt leak out to find the leaks via a sniffer. they try that stop leak and dye stuff. i was told that the stop leak and dye will be bad on the system. but that is only one person who told me that. i dont know anyone else to ask other than on here. once the leaks are fixed or none found they fill it with freon. and then see if the system works properly.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

if you are converting to R-134a then they can charge the system and use a sniffer, but if you are using R-12 then they can't legally charge it to check for a leak, they would have to use nitrogen.

if the system is already partially/fully charged then they can inject oil with a fluorescent dye in it to detect the leaks, it doesn't have stop leak in it.

so basically you can expect them to

1. check for signs of leaks

2. fully check for leaks

3. maybe charge the system to make sure it works good (r-134a only)

4. then they would recover the system and leave it in a vacuum until you have the leaks fixed

[alvald83]

Is it possible to use R-12, i thought the only option was R-134a. If both are available, which is the better option.

[basketcase0302]

alvald83 on Wed Sep 08, 2010 8:11 pm
Is it possible to use R-12, i thought the only option was R-134a. If both are available, which is the better option.

It is very possible to use R-12, but when you see the cost of it I doubt you'd consider it! There are many options other than 134A also, (freeze-12 is a "drop-in") that you can use. I would suggest to google "R-12 alternative" and you'll see a bunch of refrigerants that can be purchased without a license at all, (unlike R-12 which isn't being produced anymore he US and is also heavily restricted).