Aircon for 88 GQ

[Matty852]

Has anyone bothered about overhauling their old aircon systems for R13 refrigerant? If so how much did it cost and how long did the re fitting take?

[munzy42]

Don't change it if it hasn't leaked. Expensive job to upgrade to a different gas. Don't believe anyone who sais the new gas's are just a drop in replacement. You need to change the system oil, leak test, vac the system, and correctly charge the system. Some cars and gas conversions require full seal kit replacement in the compressor.

My advice stick with the orrigional gas.

[Matty852]

The only drama is you have to convert to the new gas, nobody will re gas as is because of the new laws, anyone caught doing it faces some huge fines

[munzy42]

If any system requires regassing that means it has leaked. No leaky system charged with a refrigerant containing Cl or FL is allowed to be 'topped up' without first repairing the leak. If you have a system with r13 in it and it has leaked, then your only option is to have the leak repaired and the system changed over to a replacement refrigerant as r13 hasn't been available for years. You may be lucky and find someone that still has some r13 stashed away.

Oh and the laws aren't new theve been around for quite some time now.

[munzy42]

Done a bit more homework on your changeover issue. It won't be cheap.

Step 1 - determine the source of your leak and repair. Could be seals in the compressor, leaky evaporator or condensor from corrosion or damage, leaky hoses or couplings. Luckily all of these things are replaceable parts easily purchased. Before removing any fittings any remaining refrigerant will need to be reclaimed by a fridgy! DO NOT RELEASE REFRIGERANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT ITS DANGEROUS FOR YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

step 2 - flush the system to remove old oil (new refrigerant will not be compatible with the old mineral oil used with r13), remove oil from compressor and refill with new oil suited to new refrigerant.

Step 3 - fit new reciever /dryer

Step 4 - charge system with dry nitrogen to leak test any fittings you've had apart. If no leaks move to step 5, if leaks fix them quickly your new dryer should be exposed to air for ass little time as possible ( 15 min or less ideally)

Step 5 - release nitrogen and vac the system out using a refrigerant vac pump to 500 microns of vacuum.

Step 6 - fill system with new refrigerant to correct charge, too little not cold, too much system goes bang.

Step 7 - enjoy cold air in your patrol

Note - you may need a thermo fan on the condensor to improve air on efficiency in warmer weather/city driving

Alternately you can take it to a fridgy who will do all this properly and legally, as you can tell some special equipment and licences are required. Could cost $500 to $800 depending on where leak is.

[Matty852]

Awesome, thanks for the info!