hey guys just a few questions about converting my r12 ac to r134. currently my system has no freon but the compressor will turn on if we give it direct power from the battery and bypass the low freon sensor. i found out the cooling fan relay(located on the passenger side under the hood) was bad causing the compressor to not kick in when ac button was engaged. so that's all sorted out.

now is this the correct kit i need and or is there any other cheaper alternative?

1985-1992 Volvo 740 Turbo A/C Conversion Kit

i know the system should be flushed and needs to checked for leaks.

any other advice before i get into this would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'd plan on replacing those 20+ year old AC hoses too, just for good luck. but yeah, thats the official kit. Tasca (a genuine volvo dealer who wholesales factory parts) sells that kit for $132.

I DO seem to recall there's a 2nd part # you need to complete the job. unluckily, my copy of VADIS has gone non-op on me.

 

Hey Pierce....

I have never heard of Tasca. Thanks for the heads up on them. Their prices look great!

 

good deal thanks for the info.
will keep you posted

 

hello again going to try and revamp this post. does anyone know what parts i need for i have heard that it isn't necessary to buy both the kits found online:

1991 Volvo 740 R134a Retrofit Kit 9145660

1991 Volvo 740 R134a Retrofit Kit 900 830 00 01

(obviously ill order from tasca, thanks pierce)

and has anyone had success in converting their's?
any help or advice is appreciated!

 

I've always had my A/C work done by a a/c shop with the proper equipment. the refrigerant is a major greenhouse gas, and its expensive, so its best to be sure its not going to leak out.

there's all kinda folks who are happy to do a halfway job on this stuff, and drive around in cars that leak multiple pounds of this nasty stuff every year. then again, some folks will pee in your swimming pool, too.

those two kits you link show and list all the parts they include. the official conversion involved replacing the dryer/reciever, the orifice valve, ALL the seals, flushing all the old AC oil out of the compressor and hoses, then installing the correct PAG oil for R134, pumping a hard vacuum, and charging the system after a leakdown test.

 

The first thing you would need to determine is where was the leak. The conversion is straight forward but unless you know if the compressor is good you may be wasting time and money. Just because you can by pass the compressor doesn't mean it is working. Usually when you blow a hose somewhere you will see compressor oil around that area. If you lose the oil it damages the compressor. So I would do a visual inspection and then a vacuum leak test. After finding the leak I would pull the compressor and drain the old oil. See if there is debris and if not just fill with new 134 oil. Also pull the orifice valve and check for debris. Then buy a flush kit and flush the condenser and the evaporator. I would also replace all of the hoses as they are a cheap investment. The first kit is all you need if you replace the hoses as they all come with new o-rings. Good luck

 

Your compressor is fine if it can be jumpered. You can use a product called FREEZE12 which is supposed to work well instead of R12 which is what you have now--no conversion is necessary such as evacuation, replacing seals, etc. Of course first make sure you fix the leak. I have used the FREEZE12 successfully, one of my cars is going on two years with no A/C problems after the FREEZE12 addition.