Hello all! I'm currently trying to retrofit my 1989s AC system to r134a. What all will I need to do? Just find the leak, fix said leak, fill with PAG oil or another 134a compatible oil, and charge with 134a? I think my compressor is turning on when I turn on the AC, but the recirculation doesn't work the best when I turn that on. Thanks for any advice!

a bit of caution.

from the epa.gov
https://www.epa.gov/snap/unacceptable-substitute-refrigerants


from wikipedia:
"Because of its flammability, it is illegal to replace R-12 with HC-12a in the United States.

It is not illegal to purchase HC-12a, or to use it in refrigeration systems that were not originally charged with R-12, except for in certain states that prohibit the use of flammable refrigerants in automobiles."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HC-12a

regards,
byron

"Because of its flammability, it is illegal to replace R-12 with HC-12a in the United States."
Probably as a result of lobbying by the makers of R134a. "HC-12a is also patent-free due to its non-synthetic nature." (Wikipedia) It's a blend of propane and butane.

Has thee been any instances of vehicles going up in flames in other nations that allow R12a? Isn't gasoline flammable? How about propane? Yet, there are plenty of vehicles on the road using them.

BTW, R134a isn't as efficient as R12a and though it isn't an ozone depleting gas, it is a greenhouse gas that should be phased out.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

hi trevor,
yes, i agree with all of that.

wikipedia states the obvious.

regardless, it's still illegal as noted in the epa link.

i'm merely a messenger, nothing more.

regards,
byron

Hi Trev,

You are GOOD!

You wrote my post for me just exactly the way I think I would have.
R-1234YF (Yell Fire) was apparently approved by the EPA before Mercedes told them about the flammability issue. I don’t know if that has been resolved either?

Only thing I can add is that the old R-12 would produce Mustard gas when burnt through the original, sniffing, propane leak detectors. It used a copper plate, stuck out in the tiny flame. The burning gases would combine and turn to a yellowish green colored flame in a slotted cylinder. The slot was the window to see into as the burning gases exited.
A whiff of that stuff and you knew that it was not good. I was told,
If you kept persistent at it, you would vomit!
I think Mustard gas was used in WW One as a disabling agent by the Germans or both sides for all I know.
That was a little before my time! ):-)

Phil
PS.
I write a lot in NOTES before posting over time but that doesn’t exclude me from being a maniac.

Why retrofit when there may be a drop-in R12 replacement?
eg. http://www.frostycool.com/frostycool-12a-recharge-kit-2x-cans-12a-charging-hose-low-side-adapter/

Google r12a
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

Hi Corbin Bailey!!!!

Many R12 replacements that won't require you flushing the components of the older lubricant so far as I know. Duracool is another offering.

Though the compressor clutch and pulley bearing at your 240 mileage may want a looksy. Your 1989 240 sedan does not have the belly pan?

You may want to flush the system components of the old lubricant as it may have metal-ly bits and age may limit lubricant effectiveness.

Yet, yeah, read all them other articles. I need to restore A/C also in them.

Reginald T. P.
--
Donate NOW! Give your brickboard.com a big DONATION!!! Find the on brickboard pages!

CB is right. Brickboard is full of posts on the subject.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

some reference pix

hi corbin,
gave you a long story.

short version, but question first: have you done anything yet?

don't/never use pag with r12 oil. use ester oil, which is compatible with r12 oil (mineral oil). pag oil is not.

if you change the compressor that has pag oil, then everything else needs to be flushed with ac flush liquid cleaner to flush out the mineral oil.

you will need
1. r134 suction port fitting, volvo's fitting connects to the drier (i have one i used, and not needed).
2. new drier
3. new ac o-rings
4. ester oil (add correct amount, shown in the instructions)


best to have
5. not available (but i have the volvo upgraded to fit -90 models, used but still good), but change evaporator, because larger pipes to accommodate different size molecules of r134 than r12 (trade name, freon).

6. new expansion valve

7. ac compressor may be still good, but can be replaced during retrofitting.

8. add an electric fan to the front of the condenser. (adding a fan instructions can be found anywhere. 91-93 240s have fans you can pull at the junkyard). we can discuss wiring it with a relay when you get to that point).

9. additional butyl for insulation(art's pages: http://cleanflametrap.com/ACplumbing.html )


instructions on steps to do the conversion. just thinking, i think i have the volvo green book that shows how, in addition to dave shannon's pdf.

hope this helps you to understand how/ where to start.

please write back if have any additional questions. plenty help from bb friends.

regards,
byron

hi corbin,
a little more involved than a 91-93 240 because of additional part replacements.

the -90 volvo 240 conversion requires a
1. r134 fitting,
2. an evaporator replacement (larger tubes because the change from r12 to r134)
3. a hose change (replaced hose from compressor to condenser that has the muffler thing with it).
you can probably replace it with a used part or have one made.
4. butyl tape and a new expansion valve
5. typically, a new expansion valve when doing this work. recommended but can be optional.

volvo part number 9134808, discontinued; here's the kit image. discontinued
https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/7572/A-C-Retrofit-Kit-9134808/

i bought my kit about 15 years ago for about $250 or so. latest price before discontinued, volvo price >$700, ridiculous!

I since retrofitted the later style (called the GM-style) with parts borrowed from a 92 (condenser, fittings, tubes, evaporator, evaporator case, a hose change, etc) and with a 1990 firewall plate that has both the wiring harness holes for the -90s AND the 91- holes/ openings for the newer version in/out tubes that connect to the updated evaporator. i think i used the newer plastic case. i could not use the older plastic evaporator case, because the newer evaporator wouldn't fit inside. different size.

that's another story. if you're interested to do this, we can talk more, but this is much more involved.

since i converted to the later version, i have sitting on the shelf the evaporator and r134 fitting that fits to the drier, the two main parts. the evaporator is still good but it has butyl on it, just kinda ugly looking.

i won't need them anymore and would be pleased to sell them for a small, nominal charge. i also have the new, volvo expansion valve.

you will need new ac o-rings, some butyl tape to replace the old butyl or replace with something that will cover the expansion valve completely.

if i recall correctly, ester oil is compatible with r12 mineral oil, so you won't have to flush your system.

unless your compressor is in good shape, good time to replace the ac compressor, and i have some recommendations for that, too.

if you are not familiar with all this we can discuss further.

another suggestion, get a 30lb can of r134 and some gauges to do it all yourself.

one more point, this system does not have a r134 discharge port. having this port will help you diagnose ac problems such as a bad or under-performing compressor.

if you need to know what o-ring part numbers and quantity needed, i can look that up for you too.

volvo has a conversion kit instructions for -90 installation, and i have a pdf i can send you, courtesy of former bb wonder, dave shannon. thanks dave.

that covers it from the top of my head at the moment, others can add value to my points. great help here and centuries of accumulated experience.

regards,
byron golden
86 245
92 245
94 940

to see all that - go to the Search Box at the top of the board page --- top right next to the Red 240 Wagon image--- and enter Key Words.

This has been a topic of many many posts oaverr the years here on the BB, esp in the years after Freon became un-obtainable.