I looked under the hood of my car and there are no stickers/decals regarding the capacity or the type of the refrigerant for the AC system.
The AC tech said that the car should have an R12 system since it is a 1990 model and did not want to charge the system with R134a without knowing the history of the car, which I was unable to provide to him.

In order to be sure, he wants me to drop the compressor, drain the oil, replace the dryer and the expansion valve, and replace all of the O-rings in the system.

Inspecting the system, it seems as if the car came in 1990 with R134a as the AC connectors are of the R134a type. These are not adapters to suggest that the car was converted from R12 to R134a. I do not know if the car was retrofitted with R134a hoses.

To those who own a 1990 XJ40, I need to know the following since I have no info and the PO is unaware.

1) Did your 1990 XJ40 come with R134a or R12?
2) Do you have a decal for the AC system underhood?
3) How many pounds of R134a does the system take?

 

Jaguar issued a TSB for retrofit recommendations. (82-39am)

I think the total R12 refrigerant capacity is 2.5 lbs.
134a is different and should be filled to 80% capacity.
2.0 lbs. refrigerant 134a would be a proper charge. (2.5 x 80% = 2.0)
Ester based oil is recommended.

bob

 

IMHO, If you've got R134 connectors you don't have an R12 system any longer ..the 1990 car did come with R12, not R134A.

I believe the R134 systems were only introduced in later years, I know the 94's were definitely R134A from the factory and maybe some 93's were too. No earlier though, so yours has been converted.

Might be an idea to pick up a manifold set and a small vacuum pump and charge her up yourself? Lots of good how-to's on youtube!!

Larry

 

I do have all of the necessary equipment to do AC work. My query is if it was originally R12, did they do the conversion properly.
I have done the R134a conversion on my Series 3 and I did change the compressor oil, dryer, expansion valve and all of the black o-rings for the green ones. I initially reused the R12 hoses but I had to add refrigerant on a monthly basis. Found out that the R134a was seeping through the body of the hose. Replaced hoses with ones compatible with R134a. Now, no leaks, nice and cold.
So I guess I will be doing the xj40 the same way.
Thanks you all for the info on the refrigerant capacity and the verification that the car originally came with R12.