A/C Conversion

[Bob DAmato]

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On my 85 4000Q I converted to R134a almost 2 years ago. Right after the
conversion the AC system worked way way better than it ever did
stock..it was MUCH colder. After long trips through death valley, the
Mojave, all around the southwest, recent trip to florida etc, it is
STILL ice cold and have had no problems or leaks. Never even had to
touch it up.
Im not sure if this is typical or not, but Ive had really good luck with
the conversion on an otherwise OE system. It is the york type compressor
too. I figured I had nothing to lose since the AC on 4000's kind of suck
anyway.. but now its GREAT!  I never put a thermometer in the vents to
see what the actual temp is, but it has kept me perfectly cool on long
trips through the desert. However mine didnt take as long as Daves to
get cold. At interior temps of 100F or more, Im getting very cold air
out of the vents within a minute, and within 3 minutes Im already
perfectly cool and have to turn it down a notch or so.
Dave is right, if youre going to do it, do it right, not the $30
conversion kits.
YMMV
Bob


David wrote:

>*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
>Audi released a TSB on converting to R134a. Check it out at http://www.ibi=
blio.org/tkan/audi/HC134A.pdfn
>
>Now from a personal side...  First you have to decide whether you can live=
 with an AC system that will never cool quite as well as it did with R12. A=
udi does not recommend converting any car with the York Type compressor wit=
h good reason (some other compressors can be converted easier, but I have n=
ot BTDT with any of those). I had mine converted and it's been a nightmare,=
 but worked out in the end. On R12, from what I've heard, you should be get=
ting vent temps at or below 40*F if the system is working properly. The bes=
t I can get out of my R134a system is the mid to lower 40s. Plus it takes a=
 LONG time to get there, 10+ minutes for so on a hot day when interior temp=
s start high. An example: the car and the vent thermometer (I just keep it =
in there) was showing 120 degrees. It took 10 minutes for so for the vent t=
emps to drop to 50*F on #3 blower setting (takes even longer on high). It h=
it 45 degrees within another 5 minutes or so. But when it's 95 degrees out =
with high humidity, even 50 degree vent temps feel pretty good! So, do you =
think you could live with a slightly less efficient system?
>
>Now, onto the worst part, the conversion. First, if you are going to do th=
is, do it right. That means replacing: service fittings, dryer, all o-rings=
/seals, and the expansion valve. Then flush everything (have to remove the =
compressor to flush it). Now evacuate for a minimum of 4 hours and make sur=
e it will hold a vacuum, now refill with ESTER oil and fresh R134a (ester i=
s R12 & 134a compatible and it is a good conditioner of seals and o-rings) =
and keep you fingers crossed. One thing to keep in mind, R134a molecules ar=
e much smaller than R12 and will find even the tiniest ways to leak out. So=
 if your hoses are even marginal, those will have to be replaced too. Doing=
 a R12 to R134a conversion properly is pretty expensive. My conversion incl=
uding a new high pressure flex hose and all the things above was over $700.=
 Others may tell you to just go to your FLAPS and buy the $35 conversion ki=
t=2E Sure, it might work, but from what I've experienced, it won't work wel=
l or it won't work very long. One other thing, make sure your radiator fan =
is healthy (works on all speeds if multi-speed and pulls well). It would al=
so help to put a pusher fan in front of the AC condenser to added air-flow =
over it.
>
>Overall, I guess I'm satisfied with the results. It works adequately and w=
ill make future recharges dirt cheap when compared to R12.
>
>Well, sorry for the novel, but HTH, YMMV. Good luck.
>
>Dave
>1987 CGT Special Build 2.3
>SE Virginia
>
>
>
>>From: "Eric Pipas" <ericpipas at charter.net>
>>Date: 2003/04/07 Mon AM 08:34:01 EDT
>>To: "Quattro" <quattro at audifans.com>
>>Subject: RE: A/C Conversion
>>
>>Has any one converted the A/C system from R-12 to R-134a on their pre R-1=
34a
>>cars. Any recomendations / pitfalls I should know about. My specific car =
is
>>a 1987 5KCSTQ
>>
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
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