I just recharged my 1990 that was converted to 134. if you have this system there are 2 ports, one with a blue cap and one with a red you are going to connect to the blue with the recharge kit. you will need a can of 134 a connection hose and a gauge for the reading of how much pressure your system has. mine had a simple leak at the connection to the AC pump, simply tightening it back up allowed me to refill it. There is information on how to check the 134 system in the Haynes/Chilton manual. However what I did not see is on the connection ports there is a metal cap facing forward. you need to turn this clock wise in order to fill the system and check the pressure. I got a can of recharge and oil with the connector hose and gauge built into the hose, it was an 18 oz can and my system needed all of it, plus more, as i said I had a leak that was easily found. you can get a can of dye but you need a black light to illuminate the dye to find the leaks (only if other systems were this easy). Again this is only for the 134 systems if you have the Freon system you will need to go to a shop and it is worth the money to get it converted as you can do the recharge yourself.

As a side note you never want to loose the oil or charge from your system as that is how the AC pump is lubed. AC pumps are turned on when defrost is selected on almost all vehicles but they don't run constant it is used to dry the air. On older XJ's I know if the temp is over 30ºF and the slider for the vent doors is set to Bi-Level which will open all vents defrost, panel and floor the AC compressor will turn on even if you have it set to max heat, it is in the owners manual.

 

Hum, I've done 2 r12 to r134a conversions.....both worked as good after as before.

I thought '94 was when mfgs went to r134a, no?

 

If you have never done it before, if you dont know what you are looking for, take it to a shop and let the pros do it. Otherwise youll ruin something, damage the system, or worse, hurt someone. R-12 cannot be purchased in the States legally anymore. Youll have to convert it to R-134. If the system still blows cold air, leave it be. The only reason to recharge a system is if it leaked. If it is not charged, you have other issues to deal with.

 

Never knew refridgerant lasted indefantly?

 

Also, our AC refrigerants are gases, not liquids, thats why you ask them to put a dye in it in case of a leak so you can see it. Some shops dont do this unless requested.

 

THE EPA REGULATIONS
Since January 1, 1993, any person, repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioners shall certify, to the EPA that such person has acquired, and is properly using, approved equipment, and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained and certified under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act. In addition, only Section 609 Certified Motor Vehicle A/C technicians can purchase refrigerants in any size container from an auto supply house for use in cooling the passenger compartment of vehicles, including containers of 20 pounds or less.
Section 609 Certification allows the purchase of any refrigerant in any size container from an auto supply house for use in cooling the passenger compartment of vehicles!

 

It won't be pretty soon. There is now a 10 dollar core charge for each R134a can purchased, times are changing again.

 

How often is the regridgerant changed in the old refridgerator out in your grandma's garage? Never, unless there is a problem.

 

Could buy freeze 12...

 

I think I'm going to try this... does it come with oil?

 

Both of my ports have black caps. Any idea which is low port to recharge?

 

Should be different sizes. A can you got at the store will only fit one of em.