Many board members state that they sucessfully converted to r-134a without doing more than changing the fittings and filling with the new gas. My questions is whether they lost refregerant over time - 1 year, for example. I plan to get my a/c working this spring and thought that the hoses on my '84 300D were new enough to work with 134a, but they guy that is selling me the compressor suggested that I replace my hoses or else the 134a will leak right through the hoses. What has been the experience of others? The last car I converted (an '85 Saab 900) worked great, but when the next summer came around I was way low on refrigerant; although there were no apparent leaks. Consequently, I am thinking hoses of this vintage are not the barrier type necessary for r-134a.

Greg
'84 300D

I am not sure, I am having my hoses rebuilt next week and I plan to go with r134. Rebuilt is cheaper than new hoses. You must also change the oil in the compressor crankcase and replace the dryer when doing the conversion.

I have changed over two 123 cars without replacing the hoses. There may be a slight loss of refrigerant over a long period of time, but this is not a problem because 134 is cheap.

Replace the filter drier, use green o-rings and flush the system thoroughly. Also do not use mineral oil.

Good luck,