Making my old a/c work again.

So my a/c hasnt work for almost 17 years already and i finally got fed up with me driving around with no a/c.  :glaresad: So this saturday coming up 07/29/17 i going to make a attem to make it to the San Diego yearly s12 meet. With a/c and not hot air  :idea:
So i have new:
New a/c comperssor
New expansion valve which i dont know where the fuck is it at! Please help!
New a/c dryier
New orings.
New conversion a/c valve for r134.
New valve stem conversion for r134.
 So i am hoping i could have all this running by wedesday i just need help where to find the expasion valve and cant find it any where in the forums, the net or even in facebook  :opps: .
I will keep you post it and have some pics.

Your in luck 86forever.  I have an extra one.  I'll bring it to the meet.
Post Merge

lol no i already have one J. I just cant located where in the car is it at?

Located behind the dash, to the right of the heater core.

S12_Lifer on 11:28:17 PM / 24-Jul-17Located behind the dash, to the right of the heater core.

I'm in a similar boat. When it's only warm outside my AC puts out cool-ish air, but when it's hot outside like it typically is in Texas summertime the AC is useless. I don't know how to diagnose whether there's been a component failure or if the R12 has simply leaked away because the car is so flippin' old.

If there's no mechanical failure can the system simply be vacuumed and recharged with R134a buy using an adapter kit?

If you were in my situation, what's the most economical way to proceed that leads to functioning AC?

Yes, you can use R134a once you install an adapter kit.  R134a is about $32 per pound.  If you stay with the R12, you will pay around $48 per pound.  I would find an AC shop that can recover your remaining R12 and have the system checked or converted, then do the recharge.  I personally prefer to stick with R12.

Does anyone knows how much Oil and r12 refrigerant capacity does the s12 takes?

There should be an owners manual pdf link somewhere that would tell you pretty close.  It shouldn't matter whether you have a Mk1, 1.5 or 2.  I'll see if I can find it.

Edit: http://club-s12.org/files/FSM-1986.pdf

Edit 2: The back page shows it's between 2.0 and 2.4 lbs for non VG30E motors, and 1.8-2.2 lbs for SE's.

S12_Lifer on 05:20:32 PM / 25-Jul-17Yes, you can use R134a once you install an adapter kit.  R134a is about $32 per pound.  If you stay with the R12, you will pay around $48 per pound.  I would find an AC shop that can recover your remaining R12 and have the system checked or converted, then do the recharge.  I personally prefer to stick with R12.

Xano on 08:26:48 PM / 26-Jul-17There should be an owners manual pdf link somewhere that would tell you pretty close.  It shouldn't matter whether you have a Mk1, 1.5 or 2.  I'll see if I can find it.

Edit: http://club-s12.org/files/FSM-1986.pdf

Edit 2: The back page shows it's between 2.0 and 2.4 lbs for non VG30E motors, and 1.8-2.2 lbs for SE's.

..good job....what air temps are you getting it now?   I did the same to my daughters 1991 Stanza but used R152 (canned air for keyboard cleaning) and it freezes you out...dirt cheap too..drain out old oil,replace with modern oil, replace dryer, vacuum system and add 60 % or so of R152..i also converted my Camry over to it ....i just wish my SE had a/c.

86forever on 01:39:40 AM / 27-Jul-17So i was able to make my car blow cold air after 15 years, but i do have problems with car not idling right. I have to figure out why the a/c condenser fan does turn on "which is probably burnt" also the a/c does not turn off after it reaches very cold temperature. I think is probably the reason why my old a/c compressor took a shit on me. Maybe overheated who knows but for now i am happy that my s12 is blowing cold air.

 If any one got question just reply.

mc on 07:31:08 AM / 27-Jul-17..good job....what air temps are you getting it now?   I did the same to my daughters 1991 Stanza but used R152 (canned air for keyboard cleaning) and it freezes you out...dirt cheap too..drain out old oil,replace with modern oil, replace dryer, vacuum system and add 60 % or so of R152..i also converted my Camry over to it ....i just wish my SE had a/c.

There is a place in San Diego called Eskimo Radiator and Air Conditioning which still sells the R12.  I been taking my wifes S12 there for more than 20 years for the R12 recharge..............ice!

I am a HVAC tech.  For older automotive systems using r12 take a look at a product  called HC12-A. It can be muxed with r12 I've used on several older cars vs converting to 134a peace

ndd on 02:29:00 PM / 28-Jul-17I am a HVAC tech.  For older automotive systems using r12 take a look at a product  called HC12-A. It can be muxed with r12 I've used on several older cars vs converting to 134a peace

ndd on 02:29:00 PM / 28-Jul-17I am a HVAC tech.  For older automotive systems using r12 take a look at a product  called HC12-A. It can be muxed with r12 I've used on several older cars vs converting to 134a peace

Type in hc12a into any browser found it on amazon as well I used an older r12 can tap to use info readily a available

whats cheaper r12 or convert r134?

If it was me I'd add hc12a and be done

86forever on 09:02:36 PM / 01-Aug-17whats cheaper r12 or convert r134?

Going to 134 actually will result in less overall system capacity.  R12 is not cheap.  If you have system with slow leak that needs to be topped off it can become costly.  Going to hc12a is cheaper has better performance  uses same components and requires no oil change and is considered environmentally friendly I have used hc12a with very good success.  But what way is cheaper? If done right, after initial conversion 134a cheaper.  But hc12a is easy and cheap. Long live the s12!

Its been 3 years and my a/c is still working. I love it!