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Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

4340 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2009 at 9:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda, Toyota MR2 Spyder, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Convertible

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#3538 of 4340 by locke2c Apr 22, 2004 (7:36 am)
how's the top?   conversion to R-134 will run ya probably $500 if the usual suspects are needing replacement. if it's white I'd consider ripping out the AC completely; double black is miserable mid-summer but white should be a lot more tolerable as long as you're not stuck in gridlock.   ~c
#3539 of 4340 Top is in good shape by thel Apr 22, 2004 (8:31 am)
No gridlock around here unless you go to the Lake of the Ozarks on holiday weekends LOL.   I never used the AC in my 02 much unless I was feeling like a wimp or I got caught in the rain and I needed the defroster. I've got an 04 Matrix XRS for days like that though. Maybe with an old NA in the garage, I'll like my Matrix more.
#3540 of 4340 Re: R-134 by ryoken Apr 22, 2004 (8:54 am)
What year did they start coming with R-134 from the factory?
#3541 of 4340 thel by lngtonge18 Apr 22, 2004 (8:56 am)
Let me know if you need a hardtop or a replacement tan softtop with glass window. I gotta get the hardtop out of my shed but haven't found the time or money to advertise it.
#3542 of 4340 ryoken by lngtonge18 Apr 22, 2004 (8:58 am)
I believe 94 was the first year for R134a.
#3543 of 4340 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 22, 2004 (9:27 am)
Why convert? It's expensive and if your A/C system is in good shape and isn't leaking just refill with R12. A lot cheaper.   of course, the a/c system might have other problems, and that's not cheap to fix. At that age compressor or expansion valve problems are not uncommon. Replies to this message: thel (Apr 22, 2004 9:42 am)
#3544 of 4340 Re: [Mr_Shiftright #3543] by thel Apr 22, 2004 (9:42 am)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 22, 2004 9:27 am) I've thought about that, but I thought that the R-12 freon was really expensive whereas the R-134 conversion kit, I've been told, is only about $40 or so.   The only thing I'm truly worried about is what caused the leak. I think it may be due to not being used for a long time b/c the seller says that he only put about 6,000 miles on it in 2 years and that it was stored over the winter. So I'm hoping that maybe a seal got dried out and that caused the leak rather than a bad compressor. Hopefully, that would not be an expensive fix...
#3545 of 4340 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 22, 2004 (10:00 am)
I don't see how conversion could cost you only $40. You have labor to replace the seals, new a/c lines, evacuate the old system, add new refrigerant and test everything. And I think a new dryer and expansive valve are usually required.   I think $500 is more like it if you want it to work properly. An R12 recharge would be more like $150.
#3546 of 4340 AC conversion by thel Apr 22, 2004 (10:08 am)
I'd heard that the kit was about $40 including refrigerant. Labor would, of course, be extra but if I did it myself I'd just pay myself with a few beers. I found an article on Miata.net that has instructions so that + a shop manual and I think I could do it.   As for evacuating the old system, I think I may be able to get a local shop to do it for me. Not sure how much, if anything that would cost since the old (valuable) freon can be recycled.   If all I need is a recharge, it would be worth it if $150 is all it would take.   How much would new seals be to replace dried out ones? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 22, 2004 4:05 pm) thel (Apr 22, 2004 5:28 pm)
#3547 of 4340 by ateixeira Apr 22, 2004 (10:21 am)
Prices really do run high in that region, then.   I just put on a new top at PBC, that was $800 with a glass window. So definitely budget for that if it's the original top, mine is a '93 with 48k miles.   My top looked OK, just stained, but soon after it became brittle and started cracking. Check the edges near the window for early signs of wear.   -juice

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