PCA Forums

Ok.. Maybe somebody on here knows a little somethin' somethin about this..

I have a 94 GrandAm that has a (from what I can tell) really slow leak on the A/C. I have to refill it once a year. I've been taking it in to a shop to have it refilled, but I'm tight on funds and would like to do it myself if it's possible. I've seen the cans in WalFart that come with the adapter to recharge your A/C system, but it doesn't fit. Yes, I know about R12 and R134a.. My car uses 134a or so the sticke says, but I cannot get the fitting that's on the can to connect to the inlet on my A/C system. I'm assuming that somebody retrofitted this car to use the 134a and just never changed out the fittings. I found the correct fittings at WalFart as well, but I'm curious if this is a safe thing to do to just change it out? Or is there more to it? Might there be a different inlet I'm supposed to connect it to? I'm trying to connect to the inlet that is near the top passenger side of the radiator. If there's a different one I should be using, LMK..

Thanks..
eGo

yes, the fittings they sell will work, you should get 2 - one for the high side and one for the low side

there should be a diagram on the box/can or you can get a schematic from the web


MUCHO IMPORTANT to know which is which, because if you try to put coolant in the wrong side the can will go KABOOM

the last kit i bought had fittings, lube/sealant and coolant - lube first then coolant

most car parts places carry this and you can always ask someone to show you which valve is which

Yah, I just didn't pay enough attention the first time I did it.. Kind of glad it wouldn't fit.. I was trying to connect to the high side originally.. Found the low side and it hooked up and filled just fine. A/C isn't ice cold, but it is cool. I will drive it for a week like it is and see how things go, if it doesn't get cool enough I'm assuming I may just need to add a little bit more? I have a Haynes book somewhere, need to dig it out. The can I bought was 12oz but I think this car takes more than that.. Not sure..

Thanx!

eGo

there is a little valve/adjustor in the line that you adjust with a flat head screwdriver -- guy who converted a car for me showed it to me - and you need to turn that about a half turn (cant remember left or right) to adjust for the different coolant

really... a valve to do what... change the oriface size? I have a 1985 caprice wagon that has R12 in it... and my god in the 5 years i have had it nver did anything to the AC and its still works great. But the second it fails that compressor is getting converted into a air compressor for more (larger) air horns and air shock and whatver else i can do with air.

most cars take about 30oz of refrigerant r134 a doesnt need a differnt orifice size.it works in my 89 ford just fine. the amount of refrigerant your car takes should be on the bottom side of your hood or maybe on the collector can.