R-12 to R-134

[Bernard Littau]

> Anyone out there done the R-12 to R-134 switch and if so what parts did
you
> use and how well does it work.

Hi Neil,

Did my '88 5ktq two or so years ago.  In short, purged R-12, left vacuum on
overnight, added R-134 and lube.  Works like a charm.  As I recollect, added
10% less or so R-134 than optimum R-12 load.

I did not replace anything.  Most parts for R-134 are quite different, and
the R-12 and R-134 parts are generally not compatible with the other
refrigerant.  Interesting, though, that R-12 pumps, once run on R-12, can be
then run on R-134 without strange side-effects.  A new R-12 pump, run from
new on R-134, will soon fail.

Here are some web references I used:
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/title6/609/retrguid.html
http://www.epatest.com/
http://www.delanet.com/~pparish/

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq