On Sun, 1 Jun 2003, phoenix00622002 wrote: > mistakes to the list I'm sorry. I just purchased a 1983 Delorean and > the air conditioning doesn't work. What should I do as it uses the R- > 12. Do I have to get a new one installed? I live in NJ where would I What to do about it depends on what is wrong with it, of course :) Occasionally you will find that the system just needs to be recharged; it is 20 years old, after all. If this is the case recharging with R-12 is no problem as R-12 is not that hard to get; most air conditioning repair places can handle it. But if the system is leaky, then you need to have the leak corrected - otherwise it will just leak out again. Air conditioning places can test the system for this. If it is leaking, you have the option of converting to R-134. But do not let the shop tell you you are required to do so. R-134 is cheaper than R-12 and is environmentally safe, but R-12 is also environmentally safe as long as it stays inside the air conditioner, and the price difference is not nearly enough to cover the cost of a conversion. So if your A/C is not leaking, do not worry about it. If you do decide to go with 134, be sure the conversion is complete including oil flush and ideally new hoses. Even a well-converted system is not usually as good as the original R-12 and will increase wear and tear because the R-134 requires higher pressure. Therefore I would not recommend converting unless you have a serious problem with the R-12.