The variety of opinion on the effectiveness 134a conversions and the materials needed probably reflects the variety of human tolerance for heat and humidity as much as it does the variations in climate where used or the type of MB that is being converted from r12. As I indicated in my post, your results may vary, and after all, the initial request was for anecdotal information from those who had tried the procedure.

Larry Bible's remarks are worthwhile to consider as they are the valuable experience of a certified tech, but we all should probably consider this: as r12 vehicles get scrapped, the drop in r12 price (which I have not seen, but this is Montana) is very likely to be followed by a decline in its availability as it becomes less profitable for vendors to supply a shrinking market. Should this come to pass, we all will be faced with the need to convert to 134a or whatever is its replacement. And when that happens, each region will develop an SOP based on what has worked best. In milder climates, the simplified method I and others have successfully used may be best, while elsewhere, such as south Texas, a more comprehensive replacement program may be in order. When I lived in Saudi, nothing worked to keep you cool as well as a one-way ticket on an air conditioned Pan Am 747 to New York... the cold Heinekin in my hand also helped. So where you are, or aren't, counts as much as what you do.

After all is said an done, Kip's problem is to decide what to do. My approach has always been to start cheap and spend more when it becomes necessary if this can be done without wasting scarce $$.

Good luck with this,

230/8