1994 GP SE - A/C charge port? R12 or R134a?

My wife's 94 Grand Prix SE isn't putting out much (if any?) cold air at all any more. Anyone know if these had R-12 or R-134a from the factory? I've found one person that says theirs came with R-134a, but I don't know if it might be a mixed bag that year.

Also -- can someone tell me where the low port is for recharging the A/C on this car? This is my first A/C recharge -- so any other tips are appreciated, of course. :)

Of, and if it matters, this is the "3100 SFI V6" engine. Although, last time I asked a question about the EGR valve in this car, it turned into an argument among other users about either or not it was a "3.1L" or a "3100". :)

Thanks!

- John...

First off, 3.1 and 3100 are the same thing, so the terms are interchangeable. They both refer to the displacement of the engine. In most circles, the term 3.1 is used to describe the older Vin-T engines, as they had 3.1 cast into the upper intake plenum, and 3100 is used to describe the later engines (Vin-M and Vin-J) because they're cast 3100.

There are a couple of ways to tell what refrigerant you have. On the accumulator ( the alumiminum can looking part) there should be a sticker denoting what type refrigerant was installed at the factory. The charge ports on R-12 cars had external threads, and you had to screw the fill hose on them. R-134 cars have quick-connect fittings that snap on. If the car was retrofitted to R134, it will have port adaptors that will now have the quick connect style charge port, and teh kit comes with a light blue and white sticker that goes over the factory R-12 sticker showing it was retro-fitted (although most DIY's never put the stcker on, so rely on the type of charge port connector). the low port on your car should be down near the compressor, between the engine and radiator (not a real convenient place).

First off, 3.1 and 3100 are the same thing, so the terms are interchangeable. They both refer to the displacement of the engine. In most circles, the term 3.1 is used to describe the older Vin-T engines, as they had 3.1 cast into the upper intake plenum, and 3100 is used to describe the later engines (Vin-M and Vin-J) because they're cast 3100.

Well, again, I was saying that I didn't really want to get into that again like last time. :) I simply don't know. What I do know is that the user named "The Burning Rom" that was around from 2004-2006 would disagree with you -- and he did seem to know what he was talking about usually. It all started when someone asked which engine I had and I answered the "the 3.1". He corrected me and said that it wasn't the 3.1, it was the 3100 -- specifically, the "3100 SFI V6". He also said that this mattered because I was asking a question about an EGR valve and he said that the EGR on the 3.1 was actually different than on the 3100! So, he was quite adamant about them being different engines.

As for the intake plenum label, he and another person said that they were indeed different engines -- one with "3100 SFI V6" on the plenum and the other with "3.1 multiport FI". Again, they argued that they were different engines.

All that being said, I really don't know or care -- and was trying to avoid exactly this discussion. :)

There are a couple of ways to tell what refrigerant you have. On the accumulator ( the alumiminum can looking part) there should be a sticker denoting what type refrigerant was installed at the factory. The charge ports on R-12 cars had external threads, and you had to screw the fill hose on them. R-134 cars have quick-connect fittings that snap on. If the car was retrofitted to R134, it will have port adaptors that will now have the quick connect style charge port, and teh kit comes with a light blue and white sticker that goes over the factory R-12 sticker showing it was retro-fitted (although most DIY's never put the stcker on, so rely on the type of charge port connector). the low port on your car should be down near the compressor, between the engine and radiator (not a real convenient place).

Thanks for the info. Once I knew where to look, I finally found the sticker -- showing R-134a. I recharged it yesterday and all seems great now! Thanks.

- John...

You are welcome for the help, glad to be of assistance.

Don't get me wrong, they are significantly different engines, but the true tell-tale is the 8th digit of the vin , not the term's "3.1" or "3100". Whomever that guy was is splitting hairs and was being a know-it-all. I don't care what you call it, as long as you can give me the 8th digit of your vin, I can get you the right part and right advice. I hate people that want to argue semantics, and make it more difficult for people like you that are just looking for help.

Indeed. Thanks again!

I'm sure I'll be back -- as I never did fully resolve that EGR problem. :)

- John...

what was the EGR issue?, maybe I can help you there. If it was a recent thread, can you give me a link to it? Otherwise, ask away!