Air con gas

[Malc]

I posted elsewhere that I am looking into the practicalities and cost on retro fitting air con to my 1995 S2. There is a possibility that I may be able to get the parts necessary from a 1991 car that is being broken although the air con is in good working condition. I think however it runs on R22 gas rather than R134 gas (not certain of the numbers!). Two questions for the cognoscenti! 1). Can a system which runs on R12 be converted to run on R134, and 2) would the parts from a 1991 car fit a 1995 car?

[Simon_P]

I posted elsewhere that I am looking into the practicalities and cost on retro fitting air con to my 1995 S2.

Is that here or another place... where one might post pictures of their supper?

The answer to all of your questions is yes and I say that having done it.
The SE originally had R12 which was shortly after banned so it is likely that if it is still working it would have been converted already. The situation is probably different for our colleagues in the US and elsewhere that A/C was common place in the 1980/90s we never really had R12 and it wasn't an option when I fitted mine nearly 20 years ago. The charging ports are different so presence of a adapter might indicate conversion there should also be a conversion sticker next to the ports.

There are two things about the conversion
1 is the gas. R134a has a smaller particle size so hoses and O rings tend to leak. You need to change to green HNBR (?)'O' rings instead of the black ones you need to change them anyway. Just live with the hoses as there are only 2 short runs. You'll have to live with the compressor 'O' rings also.

2 is the oil. R12 uses a mineral oil and R134a uses PAG oil, which isn't actually an oil and doesn't mix with the mineral oil. There was good business at the time selling a process of washing out the old oil. I didn't and it isn't critical just get out what you can.

Be cautious of a car that has had a front end smash, as most of the A/C is between the bumper and the engine. Make sure that you get all of the pieces particularly things like the pipe saddle clamps, might seem simple but you've got to find an alternative if you don't. And don't forget the ECU bracket which is different.

[FunElan]

There are so many AC pipes in my fed car. I'd honestly love to get rid of it.

[Malc]

I posted elsewhere that I am looking into the practicalities and cost on retro fitting air con to my 1995 S2.

Is that here or another place... where one might post pictures of their supper?


Hi Simon. No, the post was on LEC - it is the post below this one! You even offered me an A/c switch (yes please BTW - where are you in Kent, I might be able to pick it up). Interesting what you say re the parts. They come from a reputable source but the vendor was under the impression that an SE installation was different in some ways from that in an S2. (I think he has both, having broken the SE). All parts apparently are in good nick.

I’ll contact him and let him know what you said. I don’t know how much he wants for them all yet - if the cost is reasonable it might be worth taking a chance on the basis I can find the necessary replacement bits (O rings etc) but I still need to find someone to fit it all, which will probably be the main problem (although someone has kindly offered to drive their car to the ins taller, when I find one, so that they can see where all the bits go!).

[Simon_P]

I'm keeping the switch for you. There are several people waiting for a response from me.

Yes, the 134a system has a different compressor, and condenser and pipework that connects to them. Basically the same but with some different bits that aren't interchangeable. See the parts manual.

Don't underestimate my comments about all of the little bits. Might sound insignificant but if the person who disassembled it didn't save them you are paying the fitter to improvise. And you will be taking an expensive chance.

[Malc]

I'm keeping the switch for you. There are several people waiting for a response from me.

Yes, the 134a system has a different compressor, and condenser and pipework that connects to them. Basically the same but with some different bits that aren't interchangeable. See the parts manual.

Don't underestimate my comments about all of the little bits. Might sound insignificant but if the person who disassembled it didn't save them you are paying the fitter to improvise. And you will be taking an expensive chance.

Thanks Simon re the switch.

Bit confused re your comments on the compressor, condenser and pipework above. Are you saying that although the S2 cars have a different compressor and pipework etc, the parts from an SE would still fit, subject to the mods you have previously outlined? I have found the parts manual and can make sure that the vendor supplies me with all the necessary bits and bobs, but obviously need to know if the basics are compatible.

Thanks for your help - this is not as straightforward as I had hoped! Still, it’s a long term project (well it looks like it is now anyway!) so want to get things right.

[Simon_P]

Are you saying that although the S2 cars have a different compressor and pipework etc, the parts from an SE would still fit,

No, there are 2 systems I'll call them R12 And R134a as that is what is used in the manual both will fit either SE or S2 both will work with R134a refrigerant.

But they aren't interchangeable ie you can't put an R134a compressor in an R12 system because the mountings and pipe connections are different.

Everything from the receiver dryer back is the same though.