leaking A/C hoses?

RollinWOT · 09-02-2010, 08:03 PM

My 98 Ranger Super XLT has been ouut of freon for quite a while now, and in arizona, where it can get to 112 degrees with 2% humidity, no ac gets old very quick.

I was told that my specific year and model was designed for R12 freon, but since that is no longer made, i have to use R134A, which due to molecular differences between the hoses and freon, will permeate through the hoses, even though i have no leaks. Is there any way i can change the hoses to adapt for R134A safely without having to change my entire ac system? Any advice would be appreciated beyond words!
-RollinWOT

electro · 09-02-2010, 08:44 PM

If the hoses are original to the truck, they are made for 134a. In fact your whole truck was made for 134a. 1996 was the last year for R12. Regardless, all A/C hoses since about 1992 are "Barrier Hoses", meaning they will accommodate 134a refrigerant, even if a retrofit is called for.

Originally Posted by RollinWOT

My 98 Ranger Super XLT has been out of freon for quite a while now, ..... even though i have no leaks....

You know what I'm gonna say right? How can it be empty if there are no leaks?
Proper servicing is required to evacuate and recharge, and leak check your system. Best bet is to find an A/C professional to help you with your project. The more effort you put into this, the better the result.

RollinWOT · 09-02-2010, 10:41 PM

interesting, well im not an hvac guy, but the tech who serviced the ac last said that when he charged it with PAG oil and did the UV light test there were no leaks, and that it had been set up for use with r12, but ill take a look regardless, thanks for the info electro, that really helps out a lot!

electro · 09-02-2010, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by RollinWOT

interesting, well im not an hvac guy, but the tech who serviced the ac last said that when he charged it with PAG oil and did the UV light test there were no leaks, and that it had been set up for use with r12, but ill take a look regardless, thanks for the info electro, that really helps out a lot!

No worries. Remember that the UV light only works if there is dye in the system , and then only if the leakage points are visually unobstructed.

Also, PAG oil is for 134a use.
Mineral oil or Ester oil is for R12.

RollinWOT · 09-03-2010, 07:04 AM

Huh, interesting. Sounds like I need to take it to an hvac specialist, not just an all-arounder. Like I said I'm not an hvac guy, so I really dont know how to take care of ac, I only know how it works. Thanks again Electro!

oldtimer35 · 09-03-2010, 12:21 PM

i'm kinda wondering about whether your mechanic charged the system with R12. That stuff got real expensive here a few years back, so if the freon didn't cost you a couple hundred bucks, it was probably 134. I think 93 or 94 was the last year for r12

RollinWOT · 09-03-2010, 03:08 PM

ah that could be, oldtimer, but the truck was checked out by a "reputable" mechanic before it came into my possession, so honestly i have no idea what and how much it was charged with. Did i mention the ranger used to be a fleet vehicle? could that be a source of maybe a different or heavier/lighter duty ac system? again, im totally at a loss. thanks everyone!

Skyhawk · 09-11-2010, 08:48 AM

R-12 was not allowed to be manufacture as of a specific date in 1995, so that there can be some 1996 model years manufactured before the cut off date that have R-12 systems, but none manufactured after that date can legally have R-12 in the system. Note this applies to all U.S. Market car and I thing Canada also. Do you know the origin of your vehicle? Was it made in the U.S. and/or for the U.S. market? If yes then it must be a R-134a system. Could someone possible have converted it to R-12 thinking that that would be better
(an erroneous thought)? Are you high and low "ports" (connecting ports for gauges and filling the system) on your line R-134a type ports or R-12 ports?

RollinWOT · 09-12-2010, 12:37 AM

All I know for sure, Skyhawk, is that it was made in the good old USA, and that it was a fleet vehicle at one time, and like I said before, I'm not an hvac guy. How would I know the difference between an r12 and an r134 port? Would it just say on a sticker somewhere or in the owners manual? Thanks everyone!

Skyhawk · 09-19-2010, 05:12 PM

YES the vehicle should have a lable under the hood that tells you it is an R-134a system. Note that R-12 (FREON if made by Dupont) ports are threaded, and R-134a ports are "quick connect" type ports.