How much a/c refrigerant?

[Radar]

I’ve been searching for a bit in this forum for how much refrigerant to put in my R134A converted A/C system. The wiki says 975g but doesn’t specify whether it’s R12 or R134A... do you put the same amount?

I had my a/c serviced today because it wasn’t as frosty as it used to be. They pulled out 814g and put 400g in because that’s what their system said an E30 on R134A wants.

Now it’s blowing coolish, but doesn’t create the condensation on the outside of the windscreen like it used to.

[flybynite]

The 975g is for R12 according to the manual I have

There is only about 15% difference between R12 and R134a (R12 being higher) so I make it about 830g for R134a

The 814g you pulled out is about right.

E30s have a lot more refrigerant than modern cars so putting 800g+ into a small car may have seemed wrong, or they were using figures for a newer 3-series

[Radar]

The 975g is for R12 according to the manual I have

There is only about 15% difference between R12 and R134a (R12 being higher) so I make it about 830g for R134a

The 814g you pulled out is about right.

E30s have a lot more refrigerant than modern cars so putting 800g+ into a small car may have seemed wrong, or they were using figures for a newer 3-series

Many thanks!

[Radar]

The 975g is for R12 according to the manual I have

There is only about 15% difference between R12 and R134a (R12 being higher) so I make it about 830g for R134a

The 814g you pulled out is about right.

E30s have a lot more refrigerant than modern cars so putting 800g+ into a small car may have seemed wrong, or they were using figures for a newer 3-series

Filled to 830g now. It's better. Good enough for my road trip. Will do further investigation once I get back. It used to be super cold, even in the hottest weather, now it works well enough to be comfortable in 32 ambient with the roof down.

[flybynite]

Filled to 830g now. It's better. Good enough for my road trip. Will do further investigation once I get back. It used to be super cold, even in the hottest weather, now it works well enough to be comfortable in 32 ambient with the roof down.

Is this the first time you have used it with R134a in it?

[Radar]

No. My car didn’t have A/C as standard. I bought the parts from someone who was building a track car and had it professionally fitted about 4 years ago with parallel flow condenser, new drier and new compressor and so on. It’s never leaked however I have noticed recently that the performance had slipped.

[flybynite]

Could be the dryer if it has not had much use. Where did you get it recharged? Doesn't sound like I would put much faith in them.

I am assuming VehVac is fairly local to you, if you get no more joy I would give them a ring, they tend to know their stuff

[Radar]

Could be the dryer if it has not had much use. Where did you get it recharged? Doesn't sound like I would put much faith in them.

I am assuming VehVac is fairly local to you, if you get no more joy I would give them a ring, they tend to know their stuff

I’d never heard of them. How did you know they’re in the same town as me?

[flybynite]

I’d never heard of them. How did you know they’re in the same town as me?

I didn't, but your sig has 'Kent' so I guessed you weren't far away. They are very good guys, been at it for a long time now.

[Radar]

I’d never heard of them. How did you know they’re in the same town as me?

I didn't, but your sig has 'Kent' so I guessed you weren't far away. They are very good guys, been at it for a long time now.

They look really good... wish I'd found them years ago. I will definitely be seeing them on my return.