Technical A/C Diagnostic Help?

When did they do that because Vintage Air last time I checked got their start from the R12 phase out and I don't see them selling a R12 system in the late 90`s when the price of R12 was insane.

Well I guess they did make them. From my understanding the R12 vintage air systems are from the '80s which would make his system 30 years old not 20 years old.

In any case Vintage Air says congratulations for the system lasting so long but if there is any problems they recommend upgrading to the new system.

https://www.vintageair.com/upgrading-a-vintage-air-r-12-system/

States you can reuse some of your components but you need to upgrade your hoses to barrier hoses and upgrade the condenser. But the R12 evaporator can be retained.

 

Thought The dryer thing was brought up. These things are not life time, for dame sure if the system has been open more than once or twice.

 

Going to borrow a thermal image camera, and see if anything looks odd.

 

This will sound like a smart *** answer. Ever think of just putting a larger pulley on the compressor?

 

My wife's 2001 VW Bettle does this same thing at idle, it sounds like the compressor is tearing itself up. I replaced it once thinking it had gone bad, the new does the same thing. Tore old one apart, it looked brand new inside. Just a nudge off idle and the noise goes away.
Hope you figure it out.

 

I did this in an OT Jeep Cherokee and the efficiency of the R12 evap with R134a was about 75%. If you are changing everything else, it's best to change the evap for maximum cooling. Your mileage may vary.