harippa Posted June 11, 2005 Posted June 11, 2005 hi everyone, i looked searched on the posts to see if anyone has posted a picture of where the 134a goes in. i couldn't find any. i looked around for 15 minutes under the hood, still no luck. can someone give us a little description of where the high pressure knob is? and if there's anything else we need to know for putting in 134a? thanks.
SirSam Posted June 14, 2005 Posted June 14, 2005 You should use Low side service port for the refill which is located on the A/C Compressor itself & you will more likely have to put a fitting on it by buying a retrofit kit. If this procedure serves me correctly you drain the current system refrigerant out the high side port. I have successfully converted my 91 Eagle Talon to R134 but I had a leak in the system and it leaked out in a few days. Now, as the Lexus is a much more expensive and picky car I have not converted mine because I am uncertain of the current refrigerant it is using and I just like the sound of colder R12. As I have been driving around without it for 9 months in Florida and wear shirt and tie everyday very hot. Compressor turns on and I still have compression just not cold, not even cool.
lexusman400 Posted April 18, 2006 Posted April 18, 2006 A good substitute for R-12 is a product called Freeze 12, you do not nbeed a license to purchase it, it can be bought at www.freeze12.com.
LLS Posted April 19, 2006 Posted April 19, 2006 I did a write up on how to change the compressor. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170854 That'll save you a lot of labor costs.
Air Force Rascal Posted April 20, 2006 Posted April 20, 2006 I have had my sc400 in the shop for an oil change and general checkup. I knew the A/C wasn't blowing cold, but I thought it was just freon. I was going to have it recharged at this time , but the mechanic told me that it was a bad compressor and it would be 1200.00 big ones. My question is this , where can I get a cheaper compressor and is it worth switchng over to the 134 refrigerant instead of the r12. thanks for the help and I hope my but stops sticking to the seats You might go to your local Autozone or OReilly store and get a 134a Retrofit kit..it's very easy to do..however, you have to get a vacuum pump and evacuate any R12 that may be left in the system..I would highly recommend you take it to a local A/C repair shop and let them check to make sure it has a leak or not..if it doesn't then have them do a retrofit..probably around 70 bucks..depending on where you live. Good Luck
monarch Posted April 20, 2006 Posted April 20, 2006 You can get certified to buy cans of R12 on ebay for only $20 a can by passing a 25 question test at http://www.macsw.org/certification.php. The R12 charging hose and can tap valve is also only $7 on ebay. Since Toyota / Lexus compressors won't run of the refrigerant level gets too low, often they will start working again if you add one can and then start the engine and try turning the AC system on. To add a can with the engine if off, first locate the two metal refrigerant lines running to the AC condenser in front of the radiator. Somewhere on the length of these lines a threaded schraeder valve can be found with a black colored cap. Screw the R12 recharging hose onto this valve and turn the handle of the can tap valve counter clockwise to release refrigerant gas into the system. Keep the can upright and partially submerged into a pan of 110 degree F water to force R12 vapor into the system. Don't use water hotter than 120 degrees or the can could burst causing blindness or frostbite. Using any refrigerant other than genuine R!2 is a DOWNGRADE in terms of system performance, reliability and durability.
Lextasy4 Posted April 20, 2006 Posted April 20, 2006 Ok i did my check on my A/C and got code 23 which I already know what that is and code 41. Does anyone know what code 41 means? Does that mean I need a new compressor? Cause a shop had told me that I need a new compressor. Thanks
j_lee84sc Posted April 24, 2006 Posted April 24, 2006 I thought you couldnt buy r12 anymore? i thought its only legal to have 134a. you can do your own retrofit kit, get one from discount auto parts for like 10 dollars. its just two stupid fittings that go over the old high and low pressure ports.
sptrader Posted July 30, 2006 Posted July 30, 2006 I took my 95' SC300 to a local Toyota specialist because my AC wasn't working well at all- 65-70 degree air on a 90 degree day. He said I had r134 (not r12) and I've taken it back twice because it still blows only cool air(cost $450 !). I bought my own recharge kit today with gauge just because I wanted to see if the r134 leaked out or if they overcharged it. My question is WHERE is the LOW pressure (fill) valve located on a 95' sc300 ?? a photo please !!! Steve I thought you couldnt buy r12 anymore? i thought its only legal to have 134a. you can do your own retrofit kit, get one from discount auto parts for like 10 dollars. its just two stupid fittings that go over the old high and low pressure ports.
AngelsAmongUs Posted July 30, 2006 Posted July 30, 2006 A/C charging is something that is not advisable for the shadetree mechanic - due to legal issues (EPA) and what not. It is not expensive to get a recharge - I'd just take it to a reputable shop. My other car an acura (beat up integra, but runs like a top) needed ac service last month. Dealer fixed a leak and recharged with R12 for $214. It was soooo worth it. AC is ice cold now.
fooldall Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 I actually got a code 21, 41, and 43. What the heck does a code 41 and 43 mean?
BlueKush86 Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i have a 92 sc300 my mechanic charged me $80 to change valve core and add in R12 freon.
fooldall Posted August 15, 2006 Posted August 15, 2006 Anyone? Code 21, 41, 43? Ive searched and searched...no luck,,,
SirSam Posted April 4, 2007 Posted April 4, 2007 I would like to resurrect this thread since there are unanswered questions that someone could possibly answer. After reading back on this post I noticed I previously replied where the high & low ports are located, Low(On compressor)High(valve above radiator) refill on low side & drain on high side. If I am incorrect please let me know. I had my system last year refilled with R12 & it is again already out of freon, cost me $189 at shop, 2x bottles @ $62per. I had dye added to check for leaks, none were detected at the time, I am going to convert to R134 because its ridiculous to keep paying that for a recharge when I can easily do it myself much cheaper. This time I may have a shop discharge whatever bit of R12 is left over before I add the R134 unless anyone has any suggestions for a discharge kit that is sold seperately? thx for any help provided.
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