R12 Topping Off

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
S

Spiderman

Guest
I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12 so
the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a gauge
necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
low-side, high-side pressure ranges?


 
Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless you're a
certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get hold of
any R-12..

--
Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/


"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12 so
> the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
gauge
> necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
>
>


 
R-12 is easy to get.


"Robert Hancock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Tfdvc.646141$Ig.552932@pd7tw2no...
> Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless you're a
> certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get hold of
> any R-12..
>
> --
> Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
> To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
> Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
>
>
> "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12
so
> > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
> gauge
> > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
> >
> >
>
>


 
Get caught by a local EPA agent:

You'll say dick
is easy to get in federal prison too!


Refinish King


"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> R-12 is easy to get.
>
>
> "Robert Hancock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Tfdvc.646141$Ig.552932@pd7tw2no...
> > Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless you're a
> > certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get hold
of
> > any R-12..
> >
> > --
> > Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
> > To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
> > Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
> >
> >
> > "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on
R12
> so
> > > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
> > gauge
> > > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> > > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>



 
Shop manual goes by condenser inlet temps vs. evap. outlet temps.
If you put a gauge on the low side you'll see at what pressure the low side
cutout comes on. I think it's about 25 lbs. (going on memory, my brother
owns my '89 S Blazer now).
Basically if you charge it enough so the low side cutoff doesn't kick in it
will have enough in it to cool OK. With the motor revs up to 2-3k make sure
the low side doesn't doesn't pull down enough to trip the low side cutoff. I
usually go 10lbs over the cutout pressure with good results. It should be a
warm day when doing it this way, at least over 75 F .
That's how I quickie charge auto systems, 'specially the ones I have no
specs for.
--
John
"anything you say can & will be misquoted & used against you"
'01 FLHR ''Red"
'04 MXZ 600ho
'99 XC700
BRC mem


"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12 so
> the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
gauge
> necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
>
>


 
"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's
> low on R12 so the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top
> it off with R12. Is a gauge necessary or can I just play it
> "by air".

Try the forums at www.aircondition.com, a place dedicated to car A/C.

People who know better than me are going to hate what I'm about to
say, but if nothing else is wrong with the A/C you can get the R-12
charge about right if you monitor the inlet and outlet pipe
temperatures of the evaporator while the engine runs at fast idle
(must be fast, and run the engine at least 10 minutes before charging)
and you slowly (emphasis on "slowly") put in R-12 until the outlet is
almost as cold as the inlet. Ideally they should be equal, but it's
safer to undercharge than overcharge.

> Where can I find the normal low-side, high-side pressure ranges?

Any car repair manual that covers GM vehicles since they went to
orfice tubes?
 
On Wed, 2 Jun 2004 01:21:18 -0400, "Refinish King"
<[email protected]> wrote:

||Get caught by a local EPA agent:

It would be a lot harder to find an EPA field enforcement agent, much less one
that is interested in a DIY guy buying 3 cans of "contraband" from an
individual. It's not even on their radar screen. I have never heard of any
prosecution from this law, ever.
Texas Parts Guy
 
On Wed, 2 Jun 2004, Spiderman wrote:

> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12

....because it's got the GM R4 compressor that loses shaft seals on a
regular basis.

R12 is available, but expensive, and top-up charges will not last. You
will very quickly spend a lot more in R12 (to say nothing of tools and
manuals to put it in properly) than to fix the problem correctly.

-Stern
 

Back when 12 or 14 ounce cans of R12 were less than $2 each and nobody worried about the ozone layer I would add refrigerant until it started blowing cool air and then add one more can.

Spiderman wrote:
>
> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12 so
> the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a gauge
> necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> low-side, high-side pressure ranges?

--

When replying by Email include NewSGrouP (case sensitive) in Subject

Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
 
Come to the Island:

Northumberland County Pennsylvania. Where they will prosecute you for
wearing pants "Gangsta" style. (Not that I think that's a bad reason to
prosecute for!)

But out here, They'll prosecute you for farting! Air pollution! Unless
you're on the correct political parties registration list!

Refinish King


"Rex B" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 2 Jun 2004 01:21:18 -0400, "Refinish King"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ||Get caught by a local EPA agent:
>
> It would be a lot harder to find an EPA field enforcement agent, much less
one
> that is interested in a DIY guy buying 3 cans of "contraband" from an
> individual. It's not even on their radar screen. I have never heard of
any
> prosecution from this law, ever.
> Texas Parts Guy



 
I thought I have heard recently that you can buy R12 almost anywhere is US?

"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> R-12 is easy to get.
>
>
> "Robert Hancock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Tfdvc.646141$Ig.552932@pd7tw2no...
> > Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless you're a
> > certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get hold
of
> > any R-12..
> >
> > --
> > Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
> > To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
> > Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
> >
> >
> > "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on
R12
> so
> > > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
> > gauge
> > > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> > > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>


 

"newsgroup" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I thought I have heard recently that you can buy R12 almost anywhere is
US?
>
>
"almost" anywhere??
No, you can buy it ANYWHERE in the US, as long as you have an EPA card. Any
of the popular chain auto parts stores have it in stock, just show them your
card!
As for getting it without a card, I am sure that is possible to, but not
legal.
Greg

 
Are you EPA licensed?

Sure you can!

If not, no you can't!

Refinish King


"newsgroup" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I thought I have heard recently that you can buy R12 almost anywhere is
US?
>
> "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > R-12 is easy to get.
> >
> >
> > "Robert Hancock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:Tfdvc.646141$Ig.552932@pd7tw2no...
> > > Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless you're
a
> > > certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get
hold
> of
> > > any R-12..
> > >
> > > --
> > > Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
> > > To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
> > > Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
> > >
> > >
> > > "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on
> R12
> > so
> > > > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is
a
> > > gauge
> > > > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the
normal
> > > > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>



 

"Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12 so
> the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
gauge
> necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> low-side, high-side pressure ranges?

Just out of curiosity, how much are you going to pay for a can of R12 ? Your
gauges should read somewhere around 30 on the low, 250 on the high at high
idle. This all depends on the temp outside and the condition of the
compressor and the rest of the system. Feel the outlet (large) tube from the
evap to see ifs it cold, it will be when its full (if everything is good).
If for instance the expansion tube is plugged, you will probably blow up a
high side line while trying to get it cold. If it doesnt start to cool after
one can, be afraid :)Again, how much are you going to pay for a can of R12?


 
Around $20/can... I figure if it lasts the season then that aint too bad!

"Scott M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low on R12
so
> > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12. Is a
> gauge
> > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the normal
> > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
>
> Just out of curiosity, how much are you going to pay for a can of R12 ?
Your
> gauges should read somewhere around 30 on the low, 250 on the high at high
> idle. This all depends on the temp outside and the condition of the
> compressor and the rest of the system. Feel the outlet (large) tube from
the
> evap to see ifs it cold, it will be when its full (if everything is good).
> If for instance the expansion tube is plugged, you will probably blow up a
> high side line while trying to get it cold. If it doesnt start to cool
after
> one can, be afraid :)Again, how much are you going to pay for a can of
R12?
>
>


 
One more question!
What is size of the can or container available to choose from and the price
range?
Thanks for your help!

"Refinish King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Are you EPA licensed?
>
> Sure you can!
>
> If not, no you can't!
>
> Refinish King
>
>
> "newsgroup" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I thought I have heard recently that you can buy R12 almost anywhere is
> US?
> >
> > "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > R-12 is easy to get.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Robert Hancock" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:Tfdvc.646141$Ig.552932@pd7tw2no...
> > > > Yes, you're going to need gauges to do it properly. And unless
you're
> a
> > > > certified A/C tech, most likely you're not going to be able to get
> hold
> > of
> > > > any R-12..
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
> > > > To email, remove "nospam" from [email protected]
> > > > Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > > I have a 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer that blows out warm A/C. It's low
on
> > R12
> > > so
> > > > > the compressor just cycles on/off. I'm gonna top it off with R12.
Is
> a
> > > > gauge
> > > > > necessary or can I just play it "by air". Where can I find the
> normal
> > > > > low-side, high-side pressure ranges?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>


 
Bruce Chang wrote:
> "Spiderman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Around $20/can... I figure if it lasts the season then that aint too bad!
>>
>
>
>
> Where the hell are you getting R-12 for $20/can? Dreamland?
>
>
Try ebay
 
On Thu, 3 Jun 2004, Bruce Chang wrote:

> Where the hell are you getting R-12 for $20/can? Dreamland?

$10 to $25/can is the going rate.

-Stern
 

"Daniel J. Stern" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> On Thu, 3 Jun 2004, Bruce Chang wrote:
>
> > Where the hell are you getting R-12 for $20/can? Dreamland?
>
> $10 to $25/can is the going rate.
>
> -Stern

That's dirt cheap.. why are so many people recommending everyone convert to
R134a if R12 is that cheap. Sounds kinda silly to me.


 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
P38A p38 EAS - immediate drop of pressure
Replies
11
Views
913
Mark Piercy
Mark Piercy
D
L320 suspension query
Replies
6
Views
623
Graculus
Graculus
PopPops
Disco 2 Pipe unscrewed itself from FPR
Replies
2
Views
355
PopPops
PopPops
B
P38A P38A 1996 4.6 Auto HSE EAS slow to lower and rise + random height change to extended height + compressor running too frequently.
Replies
9
Views
1K
Datatek
Datatek
W
AirCon Problems L320 4.4 petrol 2005
Replies
12
Views
927
Graculus
Graculus
Back
Top