A/C - Converting R12 System to R134a: Overview

Model
700-900

Group
87

Number
936

Title:
Converting A/C System From R12 To R134a "Retrofit"
740/760/940

Market
US and Canada

Date
June 1993

REFERENCE: TP 31127/1: 09/88; BODY FITTINGS, INTERIOR, CLIMATE UNITS





Vehicle Applications

Volvo is committed to improving the environment. Effective with the 1993 model year, all factory-installed air conditioning units no longer use chlorofluorocarbon CFC-12 (Freon(R)). Instead, hydroflourocarbon R134a is the refrigerant used. R134a does not deplete the ozone layer as CFC's do.

As the next step toward elimination of CFC-12, Volvo now offers a retrofit kit which will convert an R12 A/C system to an R134a system. The first kit available is applicable for models listed above. Additional kits for other late-model Volvos will become available in the near future.

When servicing an R12 A/C system on a vehicle listed above, the customer should be advised that a retrofit kit to convert the system to R134a is available. They should be given the opportunity to have this conversion done. Ask the customer about the A/C service history. Have any alternative refrigerants already been used? Has retrofit work already been done? Refer also to vehicle checks.

This bulletin describes the method for converting an R12 system to an R134a system, on models listed above.

To allow simple and inexpensive retrofitting of R12 systems to R134a systems, a newly developed lubricant, called "ester oil" has been chosen.

This type of oil, which is part of the retrofit kit, has a number of advantages - it mixes well with mineral oils and does not react with material in the 0-rings. This means that not all A/C system 0-rings have to be replaced. 0-rings need only be replaced in the joints opened when components are being replaced.

The cooling performance between R12 and R134a after the "Retrofit" conversion is comparable.

IMPORTANT:
First determine which type of refrigerant is currently in the vehicle's air conditioning system. This is important in order to avoid contamination of existing R12 supplies or potential damage to refrigeration equipment.

^ Check the engine compartment area for A/C labels which may indicate previous retrofit work.

^ Check all R12 service valves to verify that they have not been already been converted to a size other than SAE R12.

Converting an R12 A/C system to an R134a system.

Equipment required:

- Recovery/filling station for R12
- Recovery/filling station for R134a
- Leak detector R12/R134a

Material:





- Conversion kit, p/n 9145660-8 (see illustration)
- If ETF/KRU-valve (factory filler valve) is not installed on the system, an additional filler pipe kit, p/n 9145664-0, is required,
- Thread locking fluid, p/n 1161351-0, (or commercially available).

Move car into workshop

If it is cold outside, move the car into the workshop, the night before, if possible, but at least two hours before starting work. The ambient temperature should be preferably at least 68°F (20° C).





Labor/Operations Block