EmTee Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 (edited) I thought about posting this question on the Cadillac forum, but figured it should probably be common to most/all '93 GM vehicles. I suspect my wife's '93 Allante' is low on R-12, but I haven't actually verified that yet. In preparation I was reading through the shop manual which states: "The primary seal of the low-side Schrader Valve found on the accumulator/dryer is the cap. This cap contains a specially designed O-ring which provides a leak-free seal. Should the cap be loose, missing, or the wrong cap used, it will result in a loss of refrigerant charge." Of course, the one on this car is missing. The previous owner provided a receipt showing it was supposedly recharged in August 2022. My question is where can I get the proper cap and what exactly do I ask for to make sure it is correct? I suspect that if I go to the local Cadillac dealer parts department and ask for this 30 year-old cap they will simply stare back with a blank expression. Obviously it makes no sense to attempt a refill, or further leak detection until I locate one of these caps. The high-side cap is still in place. Thanks! Edited April 7, 2023 by EmTee typo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 While the aftermarket and Ebay may not have the exact correct O-ring-equipped cap, you may just luck out at a salvage yard, or even an A/C repair specialty outfit in your area. Good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramair Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 Fair warning the 1993 compressor is a one year only and it is aluminum and is prone to lock up, then self destruct, ask me how I know “twice”, ps it is near impossible to get all the metal shavings out of the system 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted April 8, 2023 Author Share Posted April 8, 2023 9 hours ago, ramair said: ...ps it is near impossible to get all the metal shavings out of the system Yup, I had a similar experience with a '93 Regal years ago -- also twice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31nash880 Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 Could try asking mechanics or bodymen in a shop. Working in collision repair for 40 years I use to have many different caps in a drawer. We would recover the r-12 for repair then the insurance company would total the car. Caps were placed in draw in event one came in lost or damaged. A pic would help. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted April 8, 2023 Author Share Posted April 8, 2023 2 hours ago, 31nash880 said: A pic would help. I wish I had one! The fitting on the Schrader valve has a QD on the outside and a threaded bore, which the cap would screw into (as the HP one does). I'm thinking if all else fails, I should be able to find a screw with the proper thread and fit a gasket washer to it. Probably will need to cut it short, but I don't see why that wouldn't work. Certainly better than nothing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramair Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 ‘‘Em Tee, call Tom’s Allante store in San Diego, over the years I have bought new and use parts from him, last time I talked to him he had 60 parts cars. He is also president of the Allante club 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31nash880 Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 Here are a few styles out there. Some for foreign cars. Quick search on Google brought up plenty of places to order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, 31nash880 said: Here are a few styles out there. Some for foreign cars. Quick search on Google brought up plenty of places to order. I had the same ash tray on my desk many years ago before it fell and broke, misappropriated from the Monteleone Hotel on Royal Street - 1st block off Canal Street - local to us- Dropped my cousin and his new bride when they stayed there a couple of months ago- Great lobby, and even better bar ! Edited April 8, 2023 by Marty Roth (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31nash880 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 Got mine the same way about 40 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubilee Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Just a curiosity, I thought all manufacturers where going to R134a in 1992. We have a 1993 Roadtrek van, Chevy G30, bought new fall of 1992, and it’s R134a. A 1993 1 ton Chevy is R134a and a 1993 Cadillac is R12? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 8 minutes ago, Jubilee said: Just a curiosity, I thought all manufacturers where going to R134a in 1992. We have a 1993 Roadtrek van, Chevy G30, bought new fall of 1992, and it’s R134a. A 1993 1 ton Chevy is R134a and a 1993 Cadillac is R12? My 1992 Roadmaster WAS R12. Not now. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 The change wasn't like flipping a switch. It varied by make and model. I recall about a year of variation, but I could easily believe two years. Geo Metro changeover was 1993(r12) - 1994(r134a). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalef62 Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 With the quick disconnect on the outside and threads on inside it sure sounds like it is r134a. A quick trip to a salvage yard would surely locate one. I have a box full of them... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted April 15, 2023 Author Share Posted April 15, 2023 On 4/13/2023 at 10:16 AM, dalef62 said: With the quick disconnect on the outside and threads on inside it sure sounds like it is r134a. Upon closer inspection, I think you're correct. It looks like the car has been converted to R134a. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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