I just successfully converted my broken a/c from R12 to R134a without the OEM Volvo kit! I bought the Scantech generic conversion kit, R134a orifice tube, and a new receiver, along with some adapters from WalMart. So let's see, that's about $65 in parts, plus $40 for refrigerant and filler hose, plus $10 for ester oil, plus $20 for A/C evacuation. For $135 TOTAL and 6 hours of work, I fixed the leak in my system while converting it. Now it blows 40 degrees at the vent! Thanks for all the advice everyone, and thanks brickboard for the FAQs.

Benton

Did the guy who evacuted tell you where the leak was? I asuume he pulled a vacuum for a while... Did you have him fill it back up when you were done or did you just add the cans youself?
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 740 Turbo 140,000

There was no R12 pressure left in it when I bought the car, so I knew it had a leak. I had the guy evacuate it after I changed all of the seals to get all of the moisture out of the system. It pulled a steady vacuum for 20 minutes so I figured it was sealed. It then held the vacuum until I filled it up myself with R134a, I used 3 - 12 oz. cans.

im just curious when you pulled your Temp how hot was it outside?

It was 90 degrees.

Nice!!!!!!!!! U just converted my 90 745T to 134 and picked up a Volvo retro Valve at the pick yard, pull comp emptied Comp replaced Cond with one from pick yard alsol havent pulled temp's but it was 107 today and it was blowing cold! i couldnt believe it!

Congrats! Yeah it got up to 100 degrees today and was humid as hell, driving on the highway I measured 38 degrees at the vent!

Thanks for posting this. I have an 89 745, and the supposedly OEM conversion works, but not well. This gives me hope that (maybe) I can correct this little problem.

Harry

89 745, 2003 Kia Optima (wife's car)

Well done. What year is the car?

Randy

It's a 1990 745 GL.