Hi All,

It's been awhile again lol. I tried to log in and was told my email was invalid?? So I started over again. The weather is been 27-32 degs celcius here on the Sunshine Coast of BC Canada. I have never used my air con, except when I bought it 5 yrs ago! Now it is just blowing hot air. IDK if I should test the system ( hoses, compressor, belts, use manifold pressure gauges, etc ) or just hook up my recharge kit and fill it with new r134a refrigerant? Also, I have 2 cans of r12 in my shop ( 'cause I'm a pack rat and CAN'T throw anything out lol ) I was told if I use the "old" style refrigerant, I'll blow the compressor. Any feedback about my situation would greatly be appreciated, Thanx. Danno

 

R12 is very expensive and probably hard to find. To be used with R12 systems ONLY .Some shop will be only too happy to purchase them.
The smart thing to do would be to hook up the gauges and see just where you stand regarding refrigerant charge on the 2006 vehicle which uses R134A ONLY.
If you are not sure what they should be , you might post them here and will try to help, if necessary.
If you are not familiar with working on vehicle A/C we might be able to offer some tips.

 

Thanx Hanky, as it turns out, R134A is only available in tanks that resemble propane tanks. I have to take it in to a registered shop, that has the machine to "flush" out the AC system and recharge it with R134A. They will add a dye to determine the leaks ( I imagine that's where the old refrigerant went lol ) It's gonna cost about $150...but if there are too many "issues" with the system, I'll just revert to "mexican air conditioning" lol. No offence meant...this is what we have been calling it when you have to roll down the windows!!

 

Taking it to a qualified shop is your best bet. Your system will need to be diagnosed, leak repaired, receiver/dryer replaced, system purged and finally refilled with refridgerant. Much more involved than adding a can or two which would give you a system which won't be running at 100% and really isn't the "right" way to fix it.. If you get it repaired, run the a/c once in a while. By running it, the seals are lubricated and tend to not dry, harden and leak. The long stretch of your a/c being inactive could have contributed to its demise.
I would try selling your R12. It will fetch a good amount since you cannot use it in your 2006.

 

Thanx raski,

My HD Mechanic buddy suggested the same thing. There is a lot more to the AC system than just adding a few cans of refrigerant he tells me. I decided to take it in to a shop that diagnoses the system...stay tuned lol