Gooday I have a 1996 xj6 x300 soverien and have decided to have a go at re- gasing the air con myself now we have Hychill minus 30 on the market.
I have vacuumed the system and found the high pressure switch has a leak internally.
I need to replace it but am not willing to fork out $100 AU dollars for a replacement.
I have noticed that different models range drastically in price.
My question is I suppose are you able to retro fit a cheaper generic unit into this model given it only operates on given perimeters.
Has anyone done this?
Looking forward to any view points on this.
P.S. my wife calls me the Bodgy Wog.

 

You will be told that you are in the wrong forum area. But, wow, I looked at the Hychill web page https:hychill.com.au and the stuff looks great. When is it coming to the States? My uninformed opinion is, sure, it's just a pressure switch. How different can it be? Too much pressure and it turns off. Assuming the pressure of the refrigerant is close to what the original gas used.

 

Hi-Chill is the way to go, at home regasing and icy cold from the first flick of the switch. I have been on it for a few years now. Regasing at home is a simple process with the hi-chill.

A repost of your question in th X300 forum will get you the answers you need, our cars are older here. Link below to the forum for your model.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj6-xjr6-x300-26/

 

It is basically bbq gas in a can, good stuff. Some info on it in link below.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-142473/page3/

 

HyChill is Propane, *Known* to be a far superior refrigerant in ALL criteria to 134 or 134a, but you'll play thunder finding it in USA, as Honeywell (parent holder's of 134 and 134a) et al has a stranglehold on the refrigeration industry and the regulatory bodies thereof.
Therefore Propane refrigerants get NO support, and in fact, an Abundance of Bad Press.

You can't just go into your corner Auto Parts store and pick up a couple cans, because Staff is Convinced it's (gasp) DANGEROUS!! The fact that nearly ALL RVs have Propane refrigerators on board and have had for Decades, and many have bottles of the stuff hanging off the tail gate, and mishaps involving them are a rare occurrence has completely escaped the notice of The Public.

I have 2 cases of it (HC 12a) out in the pump house that husband found online a few years ago, but the seller has been driven underground and forbidden to advertise by the aforementioned Bad Press.

I put this in that old Chrysler I drove into the ground and it was even Cooler and leaked less than R-12!
When Nix needs a charge, she's getting a shot of Propane.
(';')

 

Thanks for the replies and information I will repost to the x300 site, yes Hychill is a good product and all the hype about it burning you in your car is just that, hype considering a Jaguar like mine only holds around 2 kg, the risk is minimal with the Hychill.

 

I have been using "ENVIRO-SAFE R-134a REPLACEMENT with Dye" in my XJ6 S3 for several years, since a total overhaul of A/C system under the hood. Had A/C shop remove old fluid, and do a leak check after I rebuilt system and serviced the system. I have only added additional fluid once in two years.

Their web-site "ENVIRO-SAFE is a hydrocarbon refrigerant which has been endorsed by Greenpeace and is in full compliance with the UN Montreal Protocol. Like most organic materials ENVIRO-SAFE is flammable, but its auto ignition temperature is 1246ºF (which is better than DuPont's R-134a ignition temperature of 368ºF at 5 psi). In a safety study, the prestigious Arthur D. Little researchers concluded that hydrocarbon refrigerants pose no significant increased risk or hazard over Freon. Additionally, ENVIRO-SAFE R-134a REPLACEMENT is an outstanding refrigerant as it is much more efficient than R-134a and R-12. "

ENVIRO-SAFE R-134a REPLACEMENT with Dye was designed to replace R-134a and R-12in all R-134a and R-12 applications (automotive & non-automotive). ENVIRO-SAFE R-134a REPLACEMENT is fully compatible with CFC-12 (R-12 Freon) systems and the newer R-134a systems. ENVIRO-SAFE refrigerants do not require a compressor oil change. Old Refrigerant is to be evacuated in accordance with EPA procedures and, if an automotive system, then the vehicle fittings are changed to the R-134a type fittings.

For those who install by weight: Jaguar XJ6 S3 A/C system: R 12 2.75 Lbs = 44 oz (42 to 46) One 6 oz can of ES-R134a replacement equals 16 oz of original R12, so 2.8 Cans will initially fill the system. Can be filled by pressure with a R134a pressure gauge. One example:
R-134a Ambient Temperature vs. Low Side pressure: ....80 F = 40 to 50 PSI
ES-R134a Ambient Temperature vs. Low Side pressure: 80 F = 32 to 42 PSI

Since shipping was expensive, I ordered 3 extra cans on first order. AMAZON sells this product.

If you put in a new pump and dryer, then they also have the correct oil in a can under pressure, so it was supper easy. To convert from R12 system, just replace the two R12 fittings with R134a fittings which are available at any auto supply. I installed a 4-SEASONS P/N 36499 TRINARY AIRCONDITIONING PRESSURE SWITCH on the high pressure side to provide an electrical ground for compressor clutch. I used a standard R134a installation hose/gauge. Vacuuming the system was not required.

Rgds David

 

[QUOTE=David84XJ6;2069267]I have been using "ENVIRO-SAFE R-134a REPLACEMENT with Dye" in my XJ6 S3 for several years

For those who install by weight: Jaguar XJ6 S3 A/C system: R 12 2.75 Lbs = 44 oz (42 to 46) One 6 oz can of ES-R134a replacement equals 16 oz of original R12, so 2.8 Cans will initially fill the system. Can be filled by pressure with a R134a pressure gauge. /QUOTE]

David,

Does that quantity work well? The numbers seem off as the website states that 6oz of Enviro-Safe is equivalent to 16oz of R134a, not R12. Everything I've read about converting from R12 to R134a says that you should be using 70 to 80% of the R12 charge - so between about 31 and 35oz of R134a, so my calculations bring me to between 12 and 13oz of Enviro-Safe which is just over 2 6oz cans.

 

I did not find the conversion from R12 to R134 then to ES134 very clear on the web site, this was in my notes "For those who install by weight, the equivalency ratios are: .33 lb. of ENVIRO-SAFE ES-12a is equivalent to 1 lb. of R-12; .38 lb. of ENVIRO-SAFE ES-22a is equivalent to 1 lb. of R-134a. " From memory, I think I just did the calculations from R12 to ES134 on paper, rounding up, for the first order: 46 x .33 = 15.2 oz ES134
In the end, I relied on a conventional R134 servicing gauge/tool and adjusted pressure for ES134 compared with R134, the gauge had an adjustable bezel, which worked well.
Rgds David

 

Ah, OK - it seems they've changed their offerings as I don't even see ES-22a on their site.

I have a full set of gauges and was planning on using pressure but nothing on their site is clear on whether the pressures should match standard 134a or R12 (or something else). This pretty clearly states that the pressures should be lower, though:



They seem to like to make it confusing - or maybe that's to dissuade the DIYer.

 

They seem to like to make it confusing - or maybe that's to dissuade the DIYer.

I went back to my notes and the current web-site and it is worse now that it was then!!!....All their products are the same fluid, they mark the can with different P/N to keep the next car owner from getting confused what to put in ( also, they want a Placard on Hood ). I wish I had kept more complete notes, as I am taxing my memory on this project. I was very happy with results. The discharge temps just inside outlet were well under 40 degrees.

Using a single fill gauge for R134a (O’Reilly Auto), it has green band 25-55 (low side) and a movable outside temp compensation bezel. Looking at 80* F OAT for R134a the correct setting would be to move pointer to ~75* for ES134a making an 8 psi reduction in the PSI band. I serviced to the high side of band. Seems like instructions are written by a PHD that drives and electric car. I got the R134a GM conversion kit from O'Reilly, it was cheaper.
Rgds David

 

Using a single fill gauge for R134a (Amazon), it has green band 25-55 (low side) and a movable outside temp compensation bezel. Looking at 80* F OAT for R134a the correct setting would be to move pointer to ~75* for ES134a making an 8 psi reduction in the PSI band. (Recharge band is approximately 10 PSI)



Amazon: Interdynamics IDQ R-134a Auto Air Conditioning Recharge Hose with Gauge Handle
For ES134a use 5 degrees less OAT than actual

 

I found the chart for adjusting the OAT setting for a R134a gauge when servicing with ES-134a. See attached PDF it is what they currently have on their web-site. Rgds David