🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <3qf9ub$3cc@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>,
William R Tschantz <wtschant@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> wrote:
>I need to get my air conditioning for my car recharged and am looking for 
>recommendations of where to get it done in the campus area.  Also wondering if 
>the law that says you need ot convert the air conditioner to the CFC free stuff
>is in effect yet.  And if so what is the cost to have the air conditioner 
>converted.  Any help appreciated.

No, you don't have to convert your air conditioner.  The technician is
required to attempt to figure out how the freon was lost and replace any
faulty parts.  Thus, they will usually find a hose (or maybe more than one)
with a "bad" crimp connector on the end and insist on replacing it.  They
could also insist that the compressor be replaced if the shaft seals appear
to be leaky.  They legally can't just add R-12 if they see something
suspicious.

I'd check around.  If your hoses really do show a lot of oil around the crimps
or are badly corroded, it might be worthwhile to have them replaced.  I blew
a hose on the high pressure side last year and Kmart charged me $150 to
replace it, plus the hose on the low pressure side which they claimed was
showing signs of leakage, and recharge the system.  (That all the new freon
leaked out overnight due to their faulty reseating of an O-ring during
reassembly,  requiring a complete new recharge was another story.)  I'd balk
if they go straight to the compressor.  It might indeed have a leaky seal,
but it is expensive enough that I'd shop for a second opinion.

Also, be aware that freon is not $1/lb any more.  It is scarce, and getting
scarcer, so expect to pay dearly for the freon itself.  But, it is available.
I don't recall, but I think I paid $30 - $40 for the freon last year.  (I did
ask them if I brought in my own cans would they use them, but they declined.)

Good luck,
-- 
Rob Stampfli   rob@colnet.cmhnet.org       The Bill of Rights:  It was a
614-864-9377   HAM RADIO: kd8wk@n8jyv.oh   good thing while it lasted...
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