RE: [Chrysler300] A/C Question

[<john_nowosacki@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here are one man's comments (and I'm not an a/c expert by any means).
Unless you see evidence of oil having leaked out of the system somewhere (usually the front bearing seal on the compressor), then you probably still have the oil and the compressor shouldn't be hurt by a low rpm 'test firing'.
You could always press on the valve stem on the low pressure side and see it you hear a little freon escape (like letting a tiny bit of air out of a tire valve).
Then you could fire it up and look for 'bubbles' in the site glass on the receiver/dryer, which would show you how low you might be on freon.
The R12 is super expensive now, so you'd want to be sure your system wasn't leaking before spending big bucks on the freon re-charge.
Unfortunately, the price of R-134 has also gone up a lot (quadrupled) since last year.
On our 62 NYer Wagon, which has dual a/c, it was going to cost around $300 to recharge it with R12, and for $160 I had my local shop convert it to R134 (changed the valves, evacuated the system and refilled with new oil and refrigerant).  It doesn't blow quite as ice cold as with the old R12, but certainly cold enough from the vents to keep one comfortable on any hot day.
The other benefit is that I can add a can of R134 myself if/when the system ever needs a boost, as you can still buy a can at the auto parts store (and the charging kit).
I don't know how long before R134 is also outlawed, so better stock up now.
I remember the local Zayres (which became Ames?) used to sell cans of R12 for $1.99, and occasionally had them at half price!
I wish I had purchased 100 or so cans back then, but who knew it would be outlawed for the average consumer and get so expensive.
My final comment/experience is regarding my 1974 Jensen Interceptor (Chrysler 440 and a/c equipped) which I purchased out of a warehouse in CT in the late 1990's.  After 15+ years of storage, the a/c blew ice cold, and still does to this day, so you just never know until you try.
Good luck.
John

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Michael Reed
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 8:07 AM
To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Chrysler300] A/C Question


I believe the A/C pump on my "F" was rebuilt in 1978. My best 
recollection of the period 1979-1982 was that the A/C worked fine. The 
car was in a museum from 1983-2004.

I'm reluctant to try the A/C, as there is a (good?) chance there is no 
Freon left in the system, and running it could be harmful to the pump. 

A local fellow has 2 lbs. of R12, but estimates it would take about 
3.5 lbs. to charge the system if it indeed is empty. So I have two 
questions:

1) -- is the original system convertible to R-134? Are conversion kits 
for this pump/system available? Are there other options for converting 
the system to R-134?

2) -- are there source(s) for a few of pounds of R12?

Any help on this would be most appreciated....

Mike in "air-conditioning-needed" Lake Odessa, Michigan




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