My 1989 240DL would like to be converted to Freeze12. Does anyone (who wishes to share) know how to convert the fittings to accept the Freeze12 on this car?

Go here, they have all the merde you will need.

http://autorefrigerants.com/co00031.htm

Actually, I am not sure you want to use different fittings although I understand that each refrigerant is treated specifically and separately, if you get my drift.

I just converted my R12 to R134a; I got the hardware in just fine. But I can't figure out where to put the refrigerant in. There is a fitting downstream from the drier, but the standard r134a fitting is too small. I looked at the back of the compressor, and I don't see a fitting there either. Is this the same problem that you are having? BTW, the car is a 1988 245.

Joe HC

As far as I know, the port for charging R134a is the same as that for charging R12, but with a special adapter. That port is the low pressure or suction port on the back of the compressor. Hard to see, and a pain to get to.

Any other port is on the high pressure side of the system, and is dangerous unless you have the proper equipment like an a/c shop does.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Hmmm. Special adapter; that is never a good thing. Does anyone know where I can get/borrow one? As you can imagine, I was hugely frustrated after getting all the hardware in and then realizing that I can't get the r134a in. Arrghhh!

Thanks-

Joe HC

You can get the fittings at any parts store, Walmart...etc. They are the same one you would use for R-134a conversion. Their purpose is to ensure some one after you does not add R-12 to the system and contaminate it.

To do it right you should drain the compressor oil and refill with 4 oz of Ester oil. Also you should replace the dryer. After having the R-12 recovered by a lisenced tech you can jack the front of the car, remove the drain plug on the rear of the compressor and drain the oil. It is a 17mm plug and is easy to get out with a socket. To fill open the plug on the top of the compressor and use a 20mm syringe which you can get at any pharmacy and attach a piece of rubber vacuum hose to the syringe and fill. Make sure you replace any o rings. Then you need to pull a deep vacuum with a vacuum pump to ensure you have no leaks and to remove any moisture. To charge correctly you should have a set of gauges to monitor the high and low side pressures. I am not familiar with Freeze 12 but using R134A you only use 85% of the R-12 charge which is about 33*** ounces. I have been using a hydrocarbon product call Enviro Safe and it works pretty good. Takes around 13 oz and on the highway with 90 degeree ambient temp it gets down to 38 degrees with the fan on number 2.

***Volvo R-12 capicaty is 33 ounces so R-134A would be around 28 ounces. I think most alternative refers are R-134A with a small percentage of Hydrocarbons so it should be about the same as R-134a. Check the web for info on the amout of freeze 12 to add. Unless you have a scale to measure the amount of product you are adding it is hard to get it right. If you over charge it will not cool right and could damage you or the compressor. Try first 60% of the 33 0z and add more. Do not let the high pressure side go above 2.2 the ambient temp. (example outside temp is 90 degress dont go above 200 psi)

Good Luck

Steve

Thank you for the info, but I don't think that I am getting it, or I am an idiot. We'll see.

I did the hardware conversion that you mention just fine, but I am having trouble figuring out what fitting to put the coolant in. I talked with the boys at Napa and they seemed clueless. When the volvo dealership guys do it, where do they add it?


Thanks-

Joe HC

On the low side fitting which is on the back of the compressor closest to the left fender. I am assuming you have a Diesel Kiki compressor.

Indeed. Two more questions: do you mean driver's side port or passenger? Also, I did check the fitting on the back of the compressor on the passenger side, and it was threaded; which reall threw me off because all of the r134a interface fittings are not threaded.


Thanks-

Joe HC

The R-134a fittings screw onto the old R-12 connections. They are 1/4" fittings.