Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

69-er on Sat June 12, 2010 11:06 AM

Year: 1983
Make: Chevy
Model: Camaro
Engine Size: 305
Refrigerant Type: Enviro-Safe
Country of Origin: United States

I currently have Enviro-Safe's ES12A refrigerant in my car and I am planning on going back to R12. It cools OK at highway speeds but is lacking at lower speeds.

The oil that I used is their ester type. They say ES12A and the ester oil is compatible with mineral and pag oils. But what I'm wondering is ester oil compatible with R12?

I'd like to evacuate the ES12a and directly charge with R12 if the oils are compatible. The system was converted two years ago, so I'm going to assume before I inspect a sample of the oil that there are no contaminants in the the system. If there is, I will address that and flush the system anyway and add mineral oil.

Also, where can I find the charge quantity and oil quantity of an 83 Camaro system?

Thanks!

Larry

TRB on Sat June 12, 2010 11:44 AM

POE and R12 is fine.

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69-er on Sat June 12, 2010 5:58 PM

Thanks TRB. Now, if everything looks good and clean inside, do you think I should change out the rec/drier again? It was changed two years ago when I converted to the ES12A.

I'd like to just evacuate the propane and let 'er rip with the R12.

TRB on Sat June 12, 2010 6:35 PM

I would and if it were in our shop! It would get flushed and fresh oil.

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69-er on Sun June 13, 2010 3:17 PM

OK, here's what I found when I disassembled the system. There is a black residue on the pressure side of the compressor which goes through the condenser all the way to the orifice tube filter. The accumulator is clean. There was also a collection of trash about the size of small pea on the filter. Some of it was magnetic. The largest piece was a small sliver of what appeared to be a magnetic material.

Think I'm looking at a new compressor? It's an AutoZone reman unit. It's 1 year out of warranty, of course. I know the best thing to do would be to get a new GM or other reputable manufactured compressor.

Gordon Shumway on Sun July 25, 2010 1:50 PM

SEE

and you wanted to blame the refrigerant (which is a very good product)

Remember systems get old just like engines. No matter what kind of gas you put into an old car with 200,000 miles, it still will not have the power that it had when brand new.
Same goes for AC systems.

bohica2xo on Sun July 25, 2010 2:10 PM

Wrong again gordon. The system was converted to HC's with fresh compressor two years ago. Reading is fundamental.

His performance was poor, and now upon opening the system he is seeing contaminants that are unusual for an R4. I believe that this system was more or less "new" when he installed it a couple of years ago too.

HC's work well in some stationary applications. The snake oil sellers of HC's in the MVAC world will tell you anything to sell the product, including allowing air into the system when charging. HC cheerleading here will not go over well.

B.

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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

Gordon Shumway on Sun July 25, 2010 2:27 PM

No problem Sir.

Learning about problems with/caused by HC refrigerants is irrelevant to AC repair.

HCs ARE legal in 32 USA states for passenger vehicles, according to the EPA website, and only made illegal by state regulations.

I'll never mention HC again.