Ford Upgrades

CONVERTING to 134a

Until 1995, most cars with air conditioning used R-12 Freon refrigerant that is said to have a negative side effect of damaging the ozone layer and is no longer produced in most countries. Now, the industry standard is R-134a, which is an efficient absorber and carrier of heat without the ozone layer damaging issues of R-12. Contrary to popular belief, most cars originally equipped with R-12 can be converted to 134a and still keep you just as cool.

Recommended steps to converting your Ford R12 air conditioning system to 134a.

Systems w/o Suction Valve
Minimum Requirements

• Change or restore the filter-drier.
• Drain the compressor oil and recharge with 134a compatible oil. (PAG or Ester Oil)
• Insure that the system is clean and free of contaminants (Depending on component condition, this may be a simple matter of blowing out with compressed air or liquid flushing with an air-conditioning flushing agent)
• Replace or restore all rubber hoses with barrier hose.
• Install 134a charge port adapters.
• Charge with 134a between 70-80% of the original R12 charge amount.
• Replace any o-rings with 134a compatible.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Ignore the sight-glass. A properly charged 134a system will likely show bubbles in the sight-glass.
• Typical 134a charge rate will be approximately 70-80% of the factory R12 charge amount.

Systems w/POA Valve
(aka Suction Throttling Valve & By-Pass Valve)
The POA Valve is installed on the evaporator, near the firewall. (Click here for a typical photo)

Minimum Requirements

• Change or restore the filter-drier.
• Drain the compressor oil and recharge with 134a compatible oil. (PAG or Ester Oil)
• Insure that the system is clean and free of contaminants (Depending on component condition, this may be a simple matter of blowing out with compressed air or liquid flushing with an air-conditioning flushing agent)
• Replace or restore all rubber hoses with barrier hose.
• Install 134a charge port adapters.
• Send POA Valve in to be calibrated.
• Charge with 134a between 70-80% of the original R12 charge amount.
• Replace any o-rings with 134a compatible.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Ignore the sight-glass. A properly charged 134a system will likely show bubbles in the sight-glass.
• Typical 134a charge rate will be approximately 70-80% of the factory R12 charge amount.

Systems w/Accumulator
The accumulator is most often installed on the evaporator, near the firewall, but occasionally found in the middle of the suction hose between the evaporator and the compressor. (Click here for a typical photo)

Minimum Requirements

• Change or restore the accumulator.
• Drain the compressor oil and recharge with 134a compatible oil. (PAG or Ester Oil)
• Insure that the system is clean and free of contaminants (Depending on component condition, this may be a simple matter of blowing out with compressed air or liquid flushing with an air-conditioning flushing agent)
• Replace or restore all rubber hoses with barrier hose.
• Install 134a charge port adapters.
• Charge with 134a between 70-80% of the original R12 charge amount.
• Replace any o-rings with 134a compatible.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Ignore the sight-glass. A properly charged 134a system will likely show bubbles in the sight-glass.
• Typical 134a charge rate will be approximately 70-80% of the factory R12 charge amount.