Older A/C pre 93

[audiman]

Rob W, if the wrong gas is used it will fu*k up seals but also rubber piping, eg all the hoses!!!!!! Mega expense on S2

[Rob W]

Hi Audiman
If i could find anywhere that does it i would be happy enough to try? I have rang loadsa so called specialists only two one man bands have a replacement gas i will have to find out what theres is called.
This is such a pig gotta be oodles cars out there which need the older gas replacement.

[S2central.net]

To clear this up - I always thaought the gas type had no adverse reaction on seals - it if the system LUBRICANT which must be chosen correctly to ensure seals aren't damaged. Then of course - particular gasses only work with particular oils.

So are you saying this - or have I got the wrong end of the stick ?

1. Old systems are R12 (now illegal)

2. New systems are R134a (incompatible with old systems)

3. Old systems can be regasses with a legal R12 alternative known as R143a without needing to change seals etc (or was that a typo) ????



Paul

[audiman]

YES paul, you are right. Old systems can use the alt. gas R143a yes 143a. There are many names for this same gas, but this is the most common. NO seal changes, just a straight forward top up. Its about twice the price of standard 134a top up, but then who cares. No need to change all those f*cking seals that are a bitch to get at!

[martinjs]

i have a sticker on my a/c rad that says R134a looks pretty new and original audi, car is a 91 3b so do you reckon its had all these seals changed?

martin

[Rob W]

I take it the type of gas is the one printed under the bonnet?
my sticker looks like its been taken off before,so what would happen with old lubricant in an updated system?

[S2central.net]

Martin - That MUST have been retrofitted. All 91 cars had R12 systems. Suggest you call Audi's customer centre and see if they can check the history on that job. If it has an official Audi R134a sticker then it must have been done by Audi - at great expense to some poor previous owner

You really ARE a bit jammy 2nite !

Paul

[audiman]

Impossible to say! But i sounds like someone has converted it in the past. In this case only use the newer gas R134a nothing else! It may also have a special oil in it aswell so ask them not to introduce normal PAG oil, and only replace anything that is is removed, with what came out!! This is important as the two oils DONT mix

[Dr H]

Rob

Sorry for the delay but I finally talked to my m8 and he said that the cost for seals and re gas with new stuff was £180 but the guy said he would do it for £80 cash in hand!?

This was 'Dave' at the Lucas service centre here in Sheffield.

I guess this is not much help to you really.........

Cheers

Leigh

[s2driveruk]

Thats not bad money

£80 cash in hand for a total seal change and a regas with new (legal stuff) gas - thats pretty bloody good or have i missed something?

Cheers,

David

[S2central.net]

Methinks that's a bit too good to be true...

1. Why bother changing the seals in the R12 system if its being topped up with R143a (not R134a) and its compatible 'rock oil' lubricant

2. If changing to R134a (incompatible with R12), then it is essential that all refridgerant and old oil is removed from the system to properly flush it in prep for the new stuff. Think that the filter/drier would need changed along with ALL the seals.

In both cases the system must be properly vacuumed down and leak tested before new gas is added. Just be careful - no way can option 2 be done for 80 quid - its way too much work. Option 1 is more likely as he won't have to change the seals ;-)

Being a sceptical git, just be careful the quote isn't a rouse to do one job, then to 'discover a leak' which costs 100's to rectify. Lets face it - on any old A/C system of this age there is almost certainly gonna be a leak - why did the gas escape in the 1st place ????

Be wise folks !


Paul

[martinjs]

heres a pic of that sticker, do you reckon its been done by audi?

[s2driveruk]

i got one just like it

Martin,

i have I think the same sticker - need to go grab a sarnie so will go look now. Looks like the date is 1998 for yours will check mine.

David

[Dr H]

The price my mate was given was for a 1992 Honda Prelude. Maybe this 'Dave' bloke is a bit dodgy

[s2driveruk]

Yep same sticker

I have exactly the same sticker on mine R-134a and a date of 12/09/97.

David