I figure I won't be the only one with A/C issues with summer here early, so I'll get straight to it:

All of our pre-'94 cars (please correct if I'm wrong) came with R12 freon from the factory - the ozone-unfriendly, banned-from-sale stuff. My A/C has gotten weak and I'm not going to Mexico for a recharge.

- What's a reasonable price to pay for a R12 to R134a conversion?

- What does it involve other than installing the new refrigerant? Any special high-pressure parts needed?

- Are do-it-yourself conversion kits any good or worth it?

Also:
- If the A/C button light doesn't come on with the A/C, does that indicate any problems with the system? Or could the light just be burnt out?

JimR,

I had to have the upgrade performed on my '92 SE-R almost two years ago. My memory is a bit fuzzy about the particulars, but I'll try to answer your questions.

Price: I don't remember how much I paid for labor, but it wasn't cheap.

Parts: I ordered the R12 --> R134a upgrade kit from Nissan. It comes with a couple of high pressure hoses with the appropriate fittings, R134a lubricant, and some o-rings. I think I got my kit from Brown & Brown Nissan. They were the cheapest source at that time.

Installation: I typically service my own car, but this job I left to the pros, so I'm not much help here.

Do-It-Yourself Kits: I haven't heard anything good about them. The best I've heard was that it only lasts a couple of weeks. The worst is that the kits will ruin your compressor.

A/C light: Check the A/C and dash light fuses. If they are OK, then its probably just the bulb. My A/C switch light has been out for many years.

You can still get R12 from repair places. You just have to be certified to buy it. If you really want to change over to R134a, WalMart sells a kit that works good.

Yea, R12 isn't banned from sale, just from production in the US. It costs upwards of 50 or 60 bucks per pound, and I don't remember what SR20's require, but most cars usually use about 2-5 pounds. That's a lot of money.

Its actually cheaper nowadays to just convert. My friend owns a radiator/ac shop and he charges me 150 for the whole conversion.

I just had mine recharged w/ R12 and it only took 1.8lbs. Cost was $100 from the local Nissan dealer.

Thanks a bunch.

It doesn't seem all that cheap no matter what I do, but no A/C here is not an option.