Your vehicle came from the factory with R-12 refrigerant. By the look of the low-side fitting in the picture, the system appears to have been converted to R-134a. That fitting takes a standard R-134a Manifold Gauge Set (MGS) low-side (blue) quick connector, not a threaded connector. The high-side &q...

With the engine and system off, try to rotate the center section of the clutch by hand—the driven part attached to the compressor's main-shaft, not the pulley the belt runs over. It should turn with moderate resistance. If it doesn't turn at all, even with some muscle, the compressor probably has fa...

First comment: Don't jumper anything. Doing so has the potential of making matters worse and more expensive to repair.

When you say "awful noise," does it sound like the belt is squealing, or something else? If the former, the compressor might be seized.

So I do that i put an empty can of 134A and a can tap and adapter....you all are using the adapters for the self seal cans right? I can't speak for others, but I don't use the small 12-ounce cans. What I do use is the 30-pound cylinders, which IMHO are easier to deal with on a refrigerant scale in ...

I didn't find any beads when replacing the expansion valve. That's good. But since you had the system open to replace the TXV, I'd replace the desiccant anyway. I believe your car has a receiver/dryer cylinder that's integral with the condenser instead of a separate R/D. Kits are available from thi...

You might have overcharged the system quite a bit after you replaced the TXV. Do you have an under-hood decal that shows the A/C specs? I ask because the specs that I have for your car list 15 ounces net weight of R-134a. So unless the decal says otherwise, the system was overcharged by roughly 9 ou...

In the mid to late 1980's--can't remember exactly--I worked on a Toyota Camry 4-cylinder with the same problem as yours. Removed the head, checked for straightness, replaced the head gasket, and reinstalled...same problem. Checked for bubbles (surprisingly, none). Turned out to be a very fine crack ...

It sounds like this is a good shop giving you excellent service at a reasonable price. R-12 to R-134a conversions like this one can use all the help they can get. Exchanging the original tube-and-fin condenser for a parallel-flow type is great advice, and not only will improve condensing efficiency ...

Is this system still R-12 or was it converted to R-134a?

I believe on this vehicle, the R/D is integral with the condenser and not a separate unit. If so, you'll have to purchase a desiccant kit. Besides the fabric bag containing the desiccant beads, the kit includes a new plug, plus a few odds and ends. If you want to add some oil, you'll have to remove ...