Ac update?

Andrew Montgomery

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91 ford f250 diesel
Im looking into swapping to r134a
Is there a kit that comes ready for it or does it half to be retrofitted?
Or can I just retrofit the system thats in the truck now?
Trying to make ac on a budget lol any advise would help
 

WAID

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I converted my long dead system last year. I did have to recharge it this year though so I may regret having not replaced the hoses. I kept most of the system in place and near as I could tell the leak that originally killed the system was in the drier.
 

gman605

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I filled my '85 r-12 system with r-290.2 If you buy 12 cans you can get it for around 4 bucks a can on ebay. Its been a week and nothing has exploded yet *thumbs up*
 

franklin2

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Wlamart sells the retro-fit kit for $33.00. If you have a decent air compressor, harbor freight sells a vacuum pump that works off air for $18.00.

Pull a vacuum on the system and put the retro-fit kit in, and see what happens.
 

chris142

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You need to replace the Orifice tube with an orange one,change the accumulator. Add Ester oil,fittings then evac and charge.

Some say to flush the old mineral oil out. Others say to leave it as it helps the hoses seal. I have found that the small amount of mineral oil left in the system does not pose a problem.

Of course if you have black death or a dryer spit dessicant out you need to flush everything.
 

WAID

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You need to replace the Orifice tube with an orange one,change the accumulator. Add Ester oil,fittings then evac and charge.

Some say to flush the old mineral oil out. Others say to leave it as it helps the hoses seal. I have found that the small amount of mineral oil left in the system does not pose a problem.

Of course if you have black death or a dryer spit dessicant out you need to flush everything.

I ended up using a red orifice tube in mine and have good performance thus far. Recomendations were all over for blue, red, or orange.
 

chris142

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I ended up using a red orifice tube in mine and have good performance thus far. Recomendations were all over for blue, red, or orange.
When doing a r134a retrofit a slightly smaller tibe will provide a lower suction side pressure. Since refrigerant pressure and temp are very close this lower pressure means lower duct temps.

Within reason. Too small and you do not get tge evaporater completly flooded.
 

WAID

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When doing a r134a retrofit a slightly smaller tibe will provide a lower suction side pressure. Since refrigerant pressure and temp are very close this lower pressure means lower duct temps.

Within reason. Too small and you do not get tge evaporater completly flooded.

Yeah based on all the varied recommendations I picked the one in the middle. I believe my truck had a blue originally so I went slightly smaller but not as much as an orange.
 

Cubey

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Someone updated my F250s system and it was cold when I got it. After a few years it wasnt cold anymore. 2 cans of $5 R134a from Walmart got it back to just below "full" on a cheapo hose/gauge and it's cold again.

My RV has the conversion fittings too, but it has zero pressure in the system now. Now, it could have been 20 years since it was last filled so maybe it just needs a vacuum pulled and 4 cans to get it back to being good, but eh... I don't drive it around in hot places enough to justify messing with it. Maybe some day?
 

IDIBRONCO

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Now, it could have been 20 years since it was last filled so maybe it just needs a vacuum pulled and 4 cans to get it back to being good, but eh... I don't drive it around in hot places enough to justify messing with it. Maybe some day?
At least you've still got the expensive back up on the roof.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Really? I had no idea what they ran for freon in them. I guess I learned something today.
 

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