Paying $100 a pound is not very cost effective.  If you want to keep the car
for awhile with working A/C, my opinion is to convert.  Just keep in mind
that the effectiveness (cooling power) of the A/C system is somewhat reduced
when R-134a is used in a system designed for R-12.

Most kits consist of a few cans of R-134a (with lubricant), a valve to open
the cans and fill the system, and adapters for the high and low pressure
ports on the A/C system which indicate to anyone servicing the car in the
future that it is equipped with R-134a.  One of the issues with switching
from R-12 to R-134a is that a different lubricant is needed.  The lubricant
for R-134a often causes compressors designed for use with R-12 to wear a bit
sooner.  This might not really be a problem if you need to replace your
compressor to effect the repair since all compressors recently manufactured
(or remanufactured) are designed to work with R-134a..  If you must replace
the compressor (or any other major component of the A/C system) you should
probably replace the Receiver/Drier too.  New compressor warranties usually
require this.  You might also want to replace the expansion valve while you
have the system open.  They sometimes get gummed up, and you don't want to
open the system again for this relatively inexpensive part.

Before you open the system, you may want to check that the fuse for the A/C
system is still good.  On my 9000 the radiator fan associated with the A/C
system sometimes binds, overloads the circuit and opens the fuse.  The same
fuse operates the compressor, so the entire A/C system shuts down -- with
the ACC fan still going at full speed.  I just give the fan a turn by hand
and it usually keeps working properly for the rest of the summer.

I hope you find this information/opinion helpful.

Walt Kienzle
1991 9000T

The A/C on my 86 900 T went out a couple years ago. My wife's 85 900T
experienced the same last year. I found that using hydrocarbon
replacement worked well. It is cheap and you can put it in without
having to change anthing else. It is supposed to work better than R-12;
it seems to work at least as well.

The down side is that it is flammable. Should a hose burst or if you run
into something, there is a possibility of fire, and apparently it has
happened. The up side is there is a flame retardant in it and you have
less of it in your system than in a standard one pound can of propane.

It seems to be a 50/50 mix of propane and butane, with a flame
retardent. a six ounce can replaces a one pound can of R-12.

I have found it works well and we have had no problems. If you decide to
take this route, put a can in and if it works, call it good. Next time
the air blows warm, put in another can.

I have found the standard way of checking fill with guages and the sight
glass do not work with this refrigerant.

You still have to change the fittings (Checker sells them for around
$12) and be sure to get the kit with 4 fittings as there are two kinds
of R-12 fittings and if you get the pair only kit it might not have the
ones you need.

Good luck and keep cool,

Charles.