Forum for Air Conditioning-related fluids/refrigerants

[pitzel]

Just wondering guys, would there be an audience for a forum on here dealing with air conditioning system oils and fluids/gasses/refrigerants? I am finding myself with the requirement to do some maintenance on a R-12 based system, have a lot of questions about retrofits and refrigerants, but don't know where to ask, nor really know the questions to ask. Just thought that I might add, I don't intend to do the work myself, as I am not licensed by the government to do so, but I want to have a general idea of the questions to ask, so that I am not taken advantage of or stuck with an expensive-to-maintain solution. [ April 20, 2005, 11:35 PM: Message edited by: pitzel ]

 

[ebaker]

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[Steve S]

Talk to a couple shops the ones that gouge you will tell you a whole bunch o stuff needs changing and flush out the oil r 12 oil . A good shop will do the switch with a couple of parts and no need for the flush.

 

[pitzel]

Ok, so my system is 1992-built, has never been recharged, runs on R-12. There is still some refrigerant in the system, as it does provide some air conditioning, however, sometimes the system fails to generate enough pressure to operate. Just what exactly should I be looking to have done? R-12 drain and recovery, system purge, compressor oil change? What else? Does the oil need to be changed and whats the real deal with that?

 

[tom slick]

technically you do need to flush the old oil and replace all of the o-rings and reciever-drier when doing a retrofit properly. what you can get away with may be a different story. I think the auto general topics is a fine place for ac related questions. not that many ac questions come up here. i don't really see a need for a separate forum.

 

[Kestas]

For any automotive a/c questions, I usually go to either of two web sites bookmarked on my computer: http://www.aircondition.com/wwwboard/ http://www.autoacforum.com/ A separate Topic section would allow BITOGers one-stop shopping for auto repair information. Though we're a smart bunch of people here, I think automotive a/c repair answers are best served at the two abovementioned sites.

 

[pitzel]

Thanks very much for the references Vestas.