Air Conditioning on a Pontiac Fiero - Doesn't Work?

[Petals B]

The air conditioning doesn't work on a 1986 Pontiac Fiero.

I'm pretty sure the cooling system has to be converted, because older cars used have Freon Charges.. but the EPA eventually outlawed Freon.

So, does anyone know anything about getting the Air Conditioning to work on this model?

Thanks
And... don't just say it sucks... drive a new car. I have a new car.. and this one is being rebuilt for someone who is down and out and needs a car.. and has a health condition and needs the air conditioning to work... thx

 

[wde3477]

The '86 should have an R12 system. R12 is still available, but is quite pricey and must be installed by a licensed professional.

Converting to R134 is no easy task - the receiver/dryer should be replaced, o-rings should be replaced, and the system needs to be flushed of all the old refrigerant oil - the R12 and the R134 oils are not compatible with each other.

It may be less expensive and less trouble to have the system restored to run R12. If the system has a significant leak - then the R134 conversion may be the less expensive route - difficult to say without pulling a vacuum to see how tight things are. No easy answer here without more information.

 

[Oreif]

I had a small leak on my 86 SE. I took it to an A/C shop and they found the leak then converted over to R134. To repair and fill it with R12 would have cost over $200, But the repair and conversion only cost $130. Also once it's converted, It is less expensive to repair it in the future.