81 280zx A/C Help
07-03-2009, 07:02 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7
81 280zx A/C Help
My ac is not blowing hard and i was wondering wat could it be.
I figured it was the blower motor but wanted to know if there was anything else that i might be able to check. Also wanted to know if anyone has used the retro fit kit for the ac from autozone and how it worked for them thanks.
I figured it was the blower motor but wanted to know if there was anything else that i might be able to check. Also wanted to know if anyone has used the retro fit kit for the ac from autozone and how it worked for them thanks.
07-03-2009, 09:18 AM
#2
Do all the different vents still work when you switch the lever? If not one or more of the vacuum hoses is cracked. And R134a retro kits CAN work, but it's a pain because you have to remove the whole a/c system & change the o-rings... something Autozone won't tell you. A better option would be to get some Freeze12.
07-04-2009, 10:13 PM
#4
07-06-2009, 11:23 AM
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Macks Creek, Mo
Posts: 157
07-07-2009, 02:54 PM
#11
Oh yeah?! Freak this!!!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Magna, UT
Posts: 389
07-27-2009, 01:38 PM
#12
Over the past several weeks I've done a lot of research on Freeze 12, Propane, R134a, etc, and have found that nothing really works near as well in R12 systems other than R12. Freeze 12 is a mix of several different items, including R134a which will still corrode R12 system O-rings. To convert to R134a, you have to remove every component, change the O-rings, and replace the evaporator. You then also have to run new oil.
Anyway, my Toyota truck developed a leak shortly after I bought it. The first few days the a/c ran great, but a coupler came loose and I lost the goods. Long story short, you can still buy R12 on ebay (and local classifieds if available). I just bought 3 one lb cans & will recharge it myself. I still have one other lb can that I've been saving, so I might just reinstall the a/c on my Z.
Now... if someone had a portable R12 recovery unit, they could make $$$$$thousands$$$$$ at the local junk yards.
Anyway, my Toyota truck developed a leak shortly after I bought it. The first few days the a/c ran great, but a coupler came loose and I lost the goods. Long story short, you can still buy R12 on ebay (and local classifieds if available). I just bought 3 one lb cans & will recharge it myself. I still have one other lb can that I've been saving, so I might just reinstall the a/c on my Z.
Now... if someone had a portable R12 recovery unit, they could make $$$$$thousands$$$$$ at the local junk yards.
07-31-2009, 09:08 AM
#14
^^^ Good point.
Upon posting this pic in the S130 pics thread, I decided to look for a compatible R134a a/c system from a junk yard car to swap into my 280zx. I think the hardest part will be making a bracket for the a/c pump mount. I imagine most all R134a components have similar connections... I could even mix & match to get the right fit. Let the games begin!!!
Upon posting this pic in the S130 pics thread, I decided to look for a compatible R134a a/c system from a junk yard car to swap into my 280zx. I think the hardest part will be making a bracket for the a/c pump mount. I imagine most all R134a components have similar connections... I could even mix & match to get the right fit. Let the games begin!!!
07-31-2009, 07:27 PM
#17
eff good grammar
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Deadford OR
Posts: 1,578
^^^ Good point.
Upon posting this pic in the S130 pics thread, I decided to look for a compatible R134a a/c system from a junk yard car to swap into my 280zx. I think the hardest part will be making a bracket for the a/c pump mount. I imagine most all R134a components have similar connections... I could even mix & match to get the right fit. Let the games begin!!!
Upon posting this pic in the S130 pics thread, I decided to look for a compatible R134a a/c system from a junk yard car to swap into my 280zx. I think the hardest part will be making a bracket for the a/c pump mount. I imagine most all R134a components have similar connections... I could even mix & match to get the right fit. Let the games begin!!!
07-31-2009, 11:32 PM
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 341
Over the past several weeks I've done a lot of research on Freeze 12, Propane, R134a, etc, and have found that nothing really works near as well in R12 systems other than R12. Freeze 12 is a mix of several different items, including R134a which will still corrode R12 system O-rings. To convert to R134a, you have to remove every component, change the O-rings, and replace the evaporator. You then also have to run new oil.
08-01-2009, 12:36 AM
#19
eff good grammar
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Deadford OR
Posts: 1,578
the seals in it will probally go bad and the expansion valve can go bad, thats what has happened to my car. not m z though my subaru
i guess some of the residue from R12 and the E134a mix and make some funky stuff, although i might be able to un stick it with a flush of some of the heavier duty solvent flush
i guess some of the residue from R12 and the E134a mix and make some funky stuff, although i might be able to un stick it with a flush of some of the heavier duty solvent flush
08-01-2009, 02:02 AM
#20
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 341
the seals in it will probally go bad and the expansion valve can go bad, thats what has happened to my car. not m z though my subaru
i guess some of the residue from R12 and the E134a mix and make some funky stuff, although i might be able to un stick it with a flush of some of the heavier duty solvent flush
i guess some of the residue from R12 and the E134a mix and make some funky stuff, although i might be able to un stick it with a flush of some of the heavier duty solvent flush
If mine has an expansion valve, and it ever acts up, that sucker is so gone....I'll weld up the hole behind it to if necessary. Bad enough having a heater valve, which I did have to replace...
08-01-2009, 10:16 PM
#21
eff good grammar
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Deadford OR
Posts: 1,578
its not really a big deal if you clean the system out before rehcarging it.
i dont know if the expansion valve is mounted to the evaporator or not on a z, i havent had to do much to mine just clean it but its easier to get to than on the subaru
i dont know if the expansion valve is mounted to the evaporator or not on a z, i havent had to do much to mine just clean it but its easier to get to than on the subaru
