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I just wanted to share some experiences regarding retrofit A/C on the Astro van over the holiday weekend. This was my first time actualy done it, but I do have some inside knowledges how the A/C works?. First I took the van to the A/C shop and they said it will cost me $850.00 to convert to R134a system because they found some leaks on the compressor?. So I paid $45 and drove home. Next I have decided to do the job by myself, but I have to refresh my mind though by reading the A/C text book that I have collected from the few years back in college. However, the major of the money will have to spend on the remanufacturing compressor and the tools. Here they are;
1. Reman A/C Compr= $229 plus tax.
2. A/C gages/hoses/fitting adapters= $110
3. R134a Oil/fregirants= $40
4. New combo A/C hoses= $52
5. A sheap Peumatic Vac-pump= $10 " I already have the 5-Gal air copressor tank"
6. GM's R134a retrofit kit, service valves fitting, Orifice tube, and A/C head connector= $70
7. New Dryer= $67
The job was very simple and straight forward
by removing and installing the parts, but I do not recommend do it yourself if you are not familar with the A/C systems because the A/C system is under high pressure, plus it's illegal to release or vent the R12 to our air? I know 20 years from now they will say that we can not use R134a, just like the MTBE and everything elses dealing with the cars. Here what I did;
1. inspect all of new parts
2. put the correct amount of oil in the compressor and dryer before fitting the hoses.
3. replace the new O rings on all or where the fitting connections are, make sure lube the O rings with the oil that you use on the compressor.
4. use the dry air blows the condenser and the evaporator " I did not flush them because I don't have the right tools to do it"
5. install the copressor/dryer/fittings etc...
6. turn the A/C compressor pulley at leat 10 times by hand to lubricate the inside components before installing the drive belt.
7. draw or suck vacumm on both valves at leat 2 hours at 29hg. but I could not do that because my cheapy Vac can do only at 25hg, but before I did the Vacumm I ran the compressor and blow the air out from the high pressure site valve; means I let the compressor help me to draw some of the air out. Or you can have the shop do it for you around $30-$45.
8. start the engine and set the A/C to Max blow for a couple of minutes then slowly fill the system with R134a refrigerants. the rule is the put around 85 to 90 percent of the R12 capacity. So what's the result?
Yes, I would do it again since I already have the tools, as you can see the above that I had spent over $600. You know the next A/C project will be on my SFJ. Now The inside air vent on the Astro read 38 degree, that's not bad on R134a system. But the question is how long it will last? well! I have no answer to that yet, but I will keep track of how the system progress from time to time and will let you folks know if the there is any problem comes up. Thanks for reading. "I will also post the picture of my SFJ when I have done with the A/C system".
1. Reman A/C Compr= $229 plus tax.
2. A/C gages/hoses/fitting adapters= $110
3. R134a Oil/fregirants= $40
4. New combo A/C hoses= $52
5. A sheap Peumatic Vac-pump= $10 " I already have the 5-Gal air copressor tank"
6. GM's R134a retrofit kit, service valves fitting, Orifice tube, and A/C head connector= $70
7. New Dryer= $67
The job was very simple and straight forward
by removing and installing the parts, but I do not recommend do it yourself if you are not familar with the A/C systems because the A/C system is under high pressure, plus it's illegal to release or vent the R12 to our air? I know 20 years from now they will say that we can not use R134a, just like the MTBE and everything elses dealing with the cars. Here what I did;
1. inspect all of new parts
2. put the correct amount of oil in the compressor and dryer before fitting the hoses.
3. replace the new O rings on all or where the fitting connections are, make sure lube the O rings with the oil that you use on the compressor.
4. use the dry air blows the condenser and the evaporator " I did not flush them because I don't have the right tools to do it"
5. install the copressor/dryer/fittings etc...
6. turn the A/C compressor pulley at leat 10 times by hand to lubricate the inside components before installing the drive belt.
7. draw or suck vacumm on both valves at leat 2 hours at 29hg. but I could not do that because my cheapy Vac can do only at 25hg, but before I did the Vacumm I ran the compressor and blow the air out from the high pressure site valve; means I let the compressor help me to draw some of the air out. Or you can have the shop do it for you around $30-$45.
8. start the engine and set the A/C to Max blow for a couple of minutes then slowly fill the system with R134a refrigerants. the rule is the put around 85 to 90 percent of the R12 capacity. So what's the result?
Yes, I would do it again since I already have the tools, as you can see the above that I had spent over $600. You know the next A/C project will be on my SFJ. Now The inside air vent on the Astro read 38 degree, that's not bad on R134a system. But the question is how long it will last? well! I have no answer to that yet, but I will keep track of how the system progress from time to time and will let you folks know if the there is any problem comes up. Thanks for reading. "I will also post the picture of my SFJ when I have done with the A/C system".
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