940 L4-2.3L SOHC VIN 88 B230F (1992)
Technical Service Bulletin # 87936
Date: 930601
A/C - Converting R12 System to R134a
Model
700-900
Group
87
Number
936
Title:
Converting A/C System From R12 To R134a "Retrofit"
740/760/940
Market
US and Canada
Date
June 1993
REFERENCE: TP 31127/1: 09/88; BODY FITTINGS, INTERIOR, CLIMATE UNITS
Vehicle Applications
Volvo is committed to improving the environment. Effective with the 1993 model year, all factory-installed air conditioning units no longer use
chlorofluorocarbon CFC-12 (Freon(R)). Instead, hydroflourocarbon R134a is the refrigerant used. R134a does not deplete the ozone layer as CFC's do.
As the next step toward elimination of CFC-12, Volvo now offers a retrofit kit which will convert an R12 A/C system to an R134a system. The first kit
available is applicable for models listed above. Additional kits for other late-model Volvos will become available in the near future.
When servicing an R12 A/C system on a vehicle listed above, the customer should be advised that a retrofit kit to convert the system to R134a is
available. They should be given the opportunity to have this conversion done. Ask the customer about the A/C service history. Have any alternative
refrigerants already been used? Has retrofit work already been done? Refer also to vehicle checks.
This bulletin describes the method for converting an R12 system to an R134a system, on models listed above.
To allow simple and inexpensive retrofitting of R12 systems to R134a systems, a newly developed lubricant, called "ester oil" has been chosen.
This type of oil, which is part of the retrofit kit, has a number of advantages - it mixes well with mineral oils and does not react with material in the
0-rings. This means that not all A/C system 0-rings have to be replaced. 0-rings need only be replaced in the joints opened when components are being
replaced.
The cooling performance between R12 and R134a after the "Retrofit" conversion is comparable.
IMPORTANT:
First determine which type of refrigerant is currently in the vehicle's air conditioning system. This is important in order to avoid contamination of
existing R12 supplies or potential damage to refrigeration equipment.
^
Check the engine compartment area for A/C labels which may indicate previous retrofit work.
^
Check all R12 service valves to verify that they have not been already been converted to a size other than SAE R12.
Converting an R12 A/C system to an R134a system.
Equipment required:
