1990 K1500 5.7L AC Question

[smokensteve]

Thinking on getting my ac to work in my truck...last time AC was serviced was in 1995...there is a sticker under the hood...is there any way I can tell if everything is working as far as the AC goes...or woulds I need a whole new system because of different refridgerent...I believe last in the system was R12..if so, any estimates on how much I am looking at to fix AC?

[bradrhale]

1990 was r12. put some gauges on there and see if it is full or not. if not, you will spend more buying the 12 than replacing all the components. if the compressor is locked down, than you will need a new one along with the accumulator if you are wanting the warranty. on that truck, those 2 parts will costs less than 200. another 50 for the freon and you should be good to go. dont forget about the pag103 compressor oil. you will need this if changing over to the 134.

[hotrodpc]

That is one thing I never learned about. Is AC. Living in CA most of my life, we did not need it. Then after moving to OK, I was old enough to buy new vehicles with AC and never kept anything long enough to run out a warranty so I never had to work on AC. Now I got these old trucks, and I want AC working on them. I got some learning to do. While at it, I think I may as well learn on the EPA friendly junk and do it right. My 93 Ford Box Van is still R-12 but the AC in it works great.

[smokensteve]

sounds like it should be that expensive..gonna look into a compressor and stuff....let ya all know how it goes

[rdhack]

There is a forum that can guide you through ac's Just do a search and you'll prob find it.

[bm83]

I have converted a couple of old R-12 systems to 134A and they worked just fine. If there is not any leaks just put the adapters on the fittings and get a cheapo filler hose. Add some oil and freon then enjoy your a/c.

The accumulator or compressor should have a label with the amount of freon needed.

This has worked for me. Other's results may vary.

[batty1214]

I found alot of my parts cheap at partstrain.com for my 1995 k1500w/5.0 I had to replace everything but the compressor, and it cost me about 300 in total..... had a friend with a recharge system, so Im not sure what a recharge is costing these days........... look at the ac hoses where they go through the radiator support on the p. side of the truck..... common problem for the hoses to rub holes in them

[bigmatt72]

got the same dang truck as you. had the r12 system and had all the parts related to the a/c replaced and it converted to r134a with a recharge done at a shop for 80 bucks. did it myself. all bought at autozone. not too expensive. lot of labor bout 300 bucks.-matt

[smokensteve]

thx for the info...