need help A/C R134 conversion

[DCNSX]

I have a '91 with dead A/C. It was previously (a coupla years ago) filled with freon and dye and it all leaked out in a few days. No leaks could be found so most likely it's somewhere not readily accessible (i.e. evaporator). On the advice of my NSX mechanic, I was just told to convert to to R134 and bought a kit for around $36- it has 3 bottles of coolant/lubricant. The mechanic said do the conversion and let it work for about a week, then he would inspect it for leaks and we could isolate the problem. Three questions: 1.- where on the car do I start i.e. adding the R134 ? (I know nothing about A/C systems) 2. Won't he need the dye to see the leak? 3. will 3 cans be enough to convert the system? that's all that came in the kit.

Feel free to call 888 771 8446 or my cell 703 593 4273.

 

[mikec]

I've done many R134 conversions.

My advice is.... if you know nothing about AC units or "where to put the freon in" Don't do it. Let someone do it who knows; preferebly a professional.

 

[Lud]

You've gotta fix the leak first.. Then you can worrying about converting it. If it's the evap, it's a fairly expensive (lots of labor). If you don't fix the leak first, anything you put in there is just going to leak right out so it's pointless.

 

[DCNSX]

yeah, I think the conversion was to find the leak, but I'm not sure if that will work without the dye. I'm gonna give the tech a call to double-check. Not looking forward to spending the bucks on this one- certainly won't make the car faster!!- but the oppressive DC humidity is just around the corner.

 

[nsxtasy]

I was just told to convert to to R134 and bought a kit for around $36- it has 3 bottles of coolant/lubricant.

Was this the Acura kit (part number 38020-SM4-A1AH)? I thought the kit contains parts like hoses and fittings, and the refrigerant (it's called refrigerant, not coolant) is sold separately...

 

[nicholas421]

cheap solution:

http://www.cryochem.com/facts.html

 

[winreboot]

What is included in the conversion kit ? it is just a single pipe replacement or some sensors ?

Thanks,

 

[Acuraphile]

I guess dye is okay for areas that are easy to access, but any decent air conditioning shop will have a supersensitive sniffer to find leaks, and dye leaking in the evaporator will be difficult, at best, to spot. They found my evaporator leak by sniffing the dash vents, and this is a fairly common NSX failure. If you are not pretty confident of doing a very tedious disassembly of your car's interior, get ready to fork over some high labor costs. Either way, please use OEM parts. The labor is just too intensive to justify, IMHO, aftermarket/used parts.

Regards,

Bill