I have a 94 Cherokee and the ac system has R12 freon. Can the system be flushed and converted to 134a? My ac is blowing cool but not cold enough.

Thanks in advance,
Jimmy

 

I have just converted mine. Note a lot of time on it yet and no comparison data with r12 since mine had no freon when I bought it.

In general, r134a is a little less efficient than r12 so I wouldn't expect it to blow any cooler.

The 94 r12 system uses the same evaporator and condenser as the 95/96 r134a systems so it should work OK.

 

It could be something else in the system causing the issue.

 

It's a felony to release R12 into the atmosphere, you'll have to find a shop with someone certified to deal with it and with the equipment to do it.

There are tons of conversion kits out there, just google it. R12 is significantly cooler than R134 though, odds are it's not a problem with the freon unless it's low. If you can find someone with R12 stick with it. It's expensive but much better for a/c.

 

If you feel like it, you can check on Craigslist. I've seen people seeling r12 before. There's also the the conversion kits, but you'd really need to pull a vaccum after opening up the system to do the switch.

IF you do open up the system (not recomended) I'd REALLY make sure you don't breathe any in. It's worse than r134a.

 

I saw someone on Craigslist selling the old stuff a few months ago. I can't remember the price but I think it was 5-10 times more expensive than r134

 

It usually is. They dont manufacture it anymore, its heavily regulated, and highly sought after. You basically have to find someone who bought it in bulk prior to the EPA stopping its manufacturing.

Sucks though, its much better than 134 and a lot of more recent studies have found its no more of an environmental hazard than 134.

 

Yes, and banning R12's production and use in new refrigeration equipment / air conditioning was completely idiotic since its use as an aerosol propellant was the major cause of its release into the environment anyway.

The same applies to R134a (aka: Tetrafluoroethane). I find it hilarious that it is illegal to intentionally release R134a that is sold as a refrigerant, but perfectly it is legal to use as an aerosol propellant and it is used in many aerosol products, especially "air-dusters".

But what else would you expect from one of the most worthless government agencies on the planet the EPA (Environmental Pain in the ***). Overreacting and "fixing" problems that don't really exist is what they do best.

 

Yea EPA has banned a lot of good stuff. It's a shame.. I made a write up here on how to convert it to r134 on my 89 XJ.
It worked but nothing like before when it had r12 till it leaked. All you can do is make sure the fans work properly and the compressor has enough oil.
Unless you find r12 cheap, then I'd use that.

 

Thanks y'all. I'll check into shops to see what it is going too take since its a felony (b.s.) to release it.

 

Not saying its a good thing to do, but if you have a leak its gonna be getting released anyway...

And if its all gone its not gonna matter.

 

Any good garage will have the tools to do it right and the felony wouldn't be on you it would be on the guy working on it if caught.