Can I really use R134a?

[Jared]

Hi JEC,
I am going to (try) to recommission the aircon on my '88 V12. I have been reading through previous posts on this subject especially neilxjs post from 28th May.
I have asked a few aircon places in edinburgh if they can supply R45 gas but no. My regular garage says R134a will work fine in an old system and this is confirmed by almcl comment in the previous post. My question is do I need to change any components and is there a possibility of long term damage to any of the AC components?
Thanks
Jared

[poprivet]

I've not heard of R45? Maybe you mean R413 (RS24)

Have a read what KWE have to say about the subject at:

http://www.kwecars.com/jaguar/airconmyth.php

Not everywhere uses it due to seperate sets of equipment and cross contamination, I don't know about Scotland but there must be independants who work on older systems for Mercs / Volvos / BMWs etc. First step I guess is to have a vacuum pulled to make sure the system is sound. Certainly the dryer will need replacing in any case.

[Jared]

Hi poprivet, yes my mistake i meant RS24 or R49. I have looked at the KWE site and contemplated a long drive down there as a last resort. I will keep trying aircon specialists up here
Thanks

[Jared]

My next question is where do I buy a replacement dryer and do i need to replace other bits of pipework? I see jaguar classic parts has two. Do I need the CFC free dryer?

[almcl]

As a minimum you need to change the receiver drier, the oil, the charging ports and the O rings. There was a Jaguar kit (and a TSB explaining how to do it, which as far as I can remember makes no mention of replacement hoses, just to contradict one of KWE's somewhat contentious statements on the subject) . Independents still carry a version of this kit, or did when I converted my '84 car three years ago. If you can acquire a set of gauges and a vacuum pump, understand the principles outlined in Kirby Palm's book and the manual, you can get your system to hold vacuum and then just present it to a local charging station for a £35 regas
.

[Jared]

Thanks almcl
Last question, do I need a CFC free reciever dryer?

[almcl]

You do, but I very much doubt you would be able to buy one that wasn't.

[Jared]

Grand, thanks for all the advice

[BigCatXJS]

Hi Jared,

I don't know where you are based, but I had mine converted to R134A about 5 years ago. No issues so far. I had mine done at MDM Jaguar Services in Coalville.

Rich.

[Jared]

Hi BigCatXJS, I'm in Edinburgh. I know some specialist mechanics who help with most stuff but I'm doing my own homework with the aircon conversion