Did MKIII's come from factory with R-134?

suprabee

Celicasupra.com Member
May 18, 2006
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Scotts Valley, California
I have found various info searching but nothing diffinitive.

I guess a second question to ask, again which I can't seem to find an answer to using search odly enough, is how to determine (it it can be determined) if you have an a/c system that has been converted?
Rick
 
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ms07s

TORGUE!
Sep 29, 2007
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All MK3s I have ever seen came R-12 stock. But I have only been under the hood of 90 and prior.


Usualy when the conversion to r-134 is done the ac dryer is switched out and adapters are put on the charge ports for the r-134 setup.
 

HommerSimpson

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Dec 31, 2007
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They hold 25 oz of R 134 btw...
Got a friend that ows a A/C radiator shop in bussiness sence 1927 I think . 3rd generation... he has a computer program that shows how much for any car in R134.. had my car 1990.. and said 25 oz.. 134 im sure thats total... oil and freon..
 

figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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Suprabee

I see you updated your post.

if the shop did the retrofit by the books. There should be

1. A sticker saying that the car has been retrofitted with R-134a.
2. Both the High pressure and low pressure side fitting have been converted to R-134a which is no where near the same as the R-12 fittings.
 

suprabee

Celicasupra.com Member
May 18, 2006
106
3
18
Scotts Valley, California
figgie;1084660 said:
Suprabee

I see you updated your post.

if the shop did the retrofit by the books. There should be

1. A sticker saying that the car has been retrofitted with R-134a.
2. Both the High pressure and low pressure side fitting have been converted to R-134a which is no where near the same as the R-12 fittings.

there is a sticker saying that a dye has been added;however, no mention of any retrofitting being done. All fittings appear to be stock, so I'm assuming it still has R-12.

Rick
 

mirage83

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Mar 21, 2008
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HommerSimpson;1085352 said:
yes you can mix... IMHO... seen it done THOUSANDS of times...

It can be done but there are a couple of things to watch out for if you do. It reduces the cooling effectiveness of the A/C system AND is harder on the compressor as it increases system pressure. Another problem is that R134 won't mix with the mineral oil based lubricant in R12 systems.

My 2 cents, but do it at your own risk.
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
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You can mix, but you should really get it evacuated by a shop and then replace seals, then try adding the new stuff.

IMO, stay with R12. I just got mine refilled with R12 and the entire system takes 1.5 pounds of the stuff. ~about 75 bucks worth of freon. My A/C blew at 41 degrees F at the vents while idling. I highly doubt you'd even get below 50F with r134a.
 

OfnaRcR4

Shea!
Oct 2, 2006
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Jeff Lange;1085326 said:
All MK3's came with R12. MK4's came with R134a.

Jeff

What he said

HommerSimpson;1085352 said:
yes you can mix... IMHO... seen it done THOUSANDS of times...

In all honesty, i agree, but only to a point. I've mixed mine, but i don't really care too much. Compressord longevity can be compromised.