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The essence of the conversion is this: If you are currently running R-12, you have two options. First, you can simply evacuate the system, charge with R-134a and PAG oil, and run as is. The lubricant used with R-12 is mineral oil. Mineral oil will not mix with R-134a, and thus you must use PAG oil. The mineral oil does not need to be removed, as it will seek out quiet spots in the system to just sit there. This is actually the recommended OEM retrofit procedure from automobile manufacturers. The second option is to have the system flushed, removing all traces of mineral oil. In this case, you use ester oil (I don't know why, that’s just what is recommended). If you do not flush the system and use ester oil, it will mix with the mineral oil and "spark" in the system, not lubricating the compressor (which will lead to failure). I have been told that all hoses must be replaced as well, but this is not always the case. As it turns out, R-134a has a smaller molecular structure, and can seep out through older hoses. If your hoses are in bad shape, you might think about replacement, otherwise its not recommended as necessary. If it leaks out, it will be slowly, and an R-134a recharge is so cheap it’s not a big deal.
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