This is just for discussion.
As you know I'm STILL rebuilding the AC system on the 82 300TD. Lazy IS the word for me lately. I'm trying to finish it up.
I talked to quite a few techs about rebuilding the hoses. They all seemed to recommend NEW hoses vs rebuild. Like the compressor you will be back in a year or two fixing the leaks. The new hoses will last 10-15 years. So Ive decided to order new hoses.
Now everything in the ystem will be new except the high pressure hoses. All the mechanics agreed that the HP hoses were indestructable.
So everything is new. The oil is from ACKITS. It is the synthetec BVA AUTO 100. Good for R12 and R134a. So heres the question.
I put $100 of R12 freon in the system and I find I screwed up and now have a leak. I find the leak, fix it and I leak some more R12, Its now getting expensive.
Could I or would I be able to evacuate the R12 and put R134a in the system without any problems. Now or in the future if R12 goes sky high in price. I now have the synthetic oil in the system so the Mineral/ester oil problem would not be a factor and everything in the system is R12/R134a compatable.
So Discuss or ignor.
I don't know of any reason why I could not switch form R12 to R134a without anything other than recovering the R12. No flushing, no new seals etc.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car