RETROFITTING SATURN R-12 REFRIDGERANT AIR CONDITIONING. Saturn Saturn 1993

For 1990-2009 cars

# RETROFITTING SATURN R-12 REFRIDGERANT AIR CONDITIONING

#### SUBJECT: Retrofitting Saturn R-12 Refrigerant Air Conditioning Systems to R-134a Refrigerant -----------------------------------------------------------------

#### TO: Saturn Fixed Operations Manager

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In the very near future, the Saturn Service Parts Operations' supply of R-12 refrigerant (P/N 01051053) will be depleted. At that time, Saturn SPO will no longer carry R-12 refrigerant. All 1991-1993 R-12 vehicles requiring R-12 refrigerant will need to be recharged with R-12 refrigerant obtained from another source or retrofitted to use R-134a refrigerant (,P/N 12345922).

If R-12 refrigerant is obtained, it should be tested with Saturn's refrigerant identifier tool RI-2002DS to verify that it is not contaminated. As the market value of R-12 increases, the temptation for an unscrupulous supplier to dilute R-12 with other refrigerants may increase. The use of contaminated refrigerant could result in poor cooling performance and possible damage to the air conditioning system and your refrigerant equipment.

With R-12 refrigerant rapidly increasing in price, some customers may ask about having their vehicles retrofitted to use less expensive R-134a refrigerant. However, before performing a retrofit, the customer must be informed that system performance may be affected. Retrofit vehicles operating in high ambient environments greater than 38 C (100 F) may have a slightly higher outlet air temperature. Once an air conditioning system is converted to R-134a refrigerant, the system cannot be changed back to R-12 refrigerant. The complete retrofit procedure was published in service manual form in 1993, under the title 'Air Conditioning - R- 12 to R-134a Retrofit Manual," #SO3 94OllK34. (If required, manual can be obtained by calling 1-800-2-SATURN, prompt 3 [1-800-272-8876, prompt 3].)

A labor time specifically for retrofitting has not been assigned by Saturn. Charging the appropriate labor time to repair the A/C system plus adding 0.1 of an hour for retrofitting should be used.

#### RETROFIT R-12 TO R-134a

The following parts are needed for retrofit from R-12 to R-134a:

Part Number Description ----------- -----------

21030851 Fitting-A/C Retro Fit Suction 21030852 Fitting-A/C Retro Fit Discharge 21030857 Label-A/C Refrig Caution 21030821 Oil-A/C Cmpr 12345922 R-134a-A/C Refrig

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.