Going to try this here rather than the vehicle specific forums as I believe it effects any car built prior to the mid 90s.


I've got an '85 240 with the original A/C set up for R12. I'm looking for information on my options to get the A/C going again. Everything seems to work fine, it just doesn't make the air cold, so assuming it just needs a recharge. The prior owner said it quit working several years ago, but since the weather is relatively mild and he wasn't driving much anymore he just went without. It gets a bit warmer in where I live and I drive 5 days a week, so want cool air.

I've done a search and the only threads I found on this are nearly 10 years old, so thought there might be more options available than there was at that time.

Based on the other threads it sounds like I can try to source R12 (unlikely in California) or convert to 134a, which might be as easy as drain and switch or require a significant modification depending on the specifics of my model year. Also hoping that maybe between then and now an environmentally compliant R12 compatible refrigerant had become available.

 

Here:

Enviro-Safe Refrigerants

I used this years ago in an 86 Jetta and it worked great.