My ac isnt cooling like it should and I know my 89 has the old refrigerant, I think its r12 or R134. I cant remember which is the new one, but I do know that the old stuff is more expensive, and that they can retrofit an older car to take the new stuff. However the new stuff needs to run under a higher compression so the ac compressors are more powerful in the cars where they started using the newer refrigerant.

Could I just swap my 89 AC compressor for another model vg maxima that has the newer compressor that takes the new refrigerant? What year maxima did they change it? Im thinking that it might have been after 95 though. Can anyone help?

Thanks
Steve

 

it's either 92 or 93 that started with R134a.

old style is R12.

 

Yeah, it was the 93 model year that they switched it. I think the first batch of 93's had the old stuff... I found that out when I had to recharge mine, but I got lucky and had the new stuff!

 

Hmmm... my car must've been with the first batch, cause I had to get the conversion kit.

 

It probably was, I know I didn't have to get it switched (Would have cost me an extra $60 or so)
Of course, after I got it refreshed, I decided I didn't want to waste the gas to use it, I just roll down my windows

 

what is the process in switching to the new version of the a/c?how much does it cost?

 

From what my mechanic was saying, it is a simple add-on/replacement piece, and he said it would have been an extra $60 or so on top of getting the recharge done.

 

It is too bad because R12 was the best. R134A sucks. You can buy a conversion kit from just about anywhere, but it won't be as cold as the R12. Just open the windows and drive fast

 

Amen to THAT, brotha!! Mine is fully charged with R134a, as opposed to the "old style" of R12, and it's nowhere NEAR as cold as when I had the other stuff in there. Now, granted, there could be some other factor that's weighing in on that, but I-D-G-A-F... I use my "4-60 A/C replacement" (that's 4 windows down, 60 miles per hour)

 

that's because R134a runs hotter and needs a stronger compressor. if you retrofit..it'll never be as cold...BUT it's better than NO AC at all.

there is R12 subsitute...Autofrost/R-406A can work with the R12 oil...they "say" it performs like R12...you'll need a license to buy it.

also R12 IS AVAILABLE..but it's just costing a lot more so most grease monkeys don't use R12 anymore.

Dan
EPA 609 certified

 

how much for the lic ?

 

Thats what I was wondering, could I just buy a used compressor from a newer 3rd gen that is designed for the 134 and swap it out along with the lines and have it evacuated and filled? Would the rest of the system operate ok with the stronger compressor?

I got a complete used ac system from a 2000 toyota tacoma with the 2.4 ltr 4 cyl and put it on my 95 2.7 ltr and it works great, the 2000 had the newer system of 134. However every dealer told me they were incompatible. They told me I had to get one of the old kits which were hard to find and twice that of a new one for the newer models, and it would have been r12! My brother found my current unit at a junkyard and according to their book everything cross-referenced even the 2.4 with the 2.7!

So, like I said, just wondering if I could replace the compressor from a newer VG with 134?

Thanks!

 

if you take everything and it's all clean and etc...i don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

So if i were to take my car in to get the a/c system evacuated and re-charged they could still put the R12 in there?

 

yes

 

depends...you going to pay for the conversion or not.

 

no. im saying if i keep waht i have now wich is R12. will they be able to put new r12 in?

 

yup they will put R12 in...refrigrants do not mix.

 

yes, they will put the R12 back in if you insist.. otherwise they'll charge you to switch to the R134a stuff..

Keep in mind the fees to recharge the R12 system is about $50 a pound anymore. R134a is about $3/pound.

if you don't plan on keeping the car a lot longer, then just fill it with the R12 and hope it lasts a while. (it should. I haven't seen much of a problem with AC systems on Maximas.)..

if you plan on keeping it, the investment to convert to R134a would be a good one in the long run.
I'd suggest swapping compressors and hoses also, but that's another $100 or so.


and yes, as has been said.. the first 93s still had R12 systems, then they switched to R134a sometime in early '93 production. Both of my 93s had R134a, and my VE was built in July 1992.