charging an R12 system

[fbaurley]

Went to try to use the ac in my old ford work truck, and very little cool air came out. I really didnt use the ac much if any last year , but never had any problems before with it in the past 6 years, looks like I need to charge it up, So any advice, should i convert to 134 a or or use soem of these things such as freeze 12 that are supposedly compatible?

 

[Grey Wolf]

The subject is being discussed on this thread at the moment...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131922

 

[FFutch]

Change it over. The 134 cools as good as the 12 did if done right. I've heard that some of that other suff could be mixed with flammable gasses. That would be nice if you had a leak close to an ignition source... . Doug

 

[FFutch]

I also heard that they were doing away with the 134 now and going with something that is more "ozone friendly". I know that the price of 134 has gone from $80 a keg to almost $300. I think it's all just a big SCAM!!!... Doug

 

[DLove]

I say convert it. if you try some of those fancy blends they could lead you to trouble. not only are some flammable (one might say explosive) if you ever need to have your system serviced by a shop, They'll charge you mega cash to dispose of a blend. If you decide to convert make sure you do it right. This includes a system flush, the older r12's used a mineral oil that when mixed with the r134a stuff oils it turns to jello. Yes its more money to do it right, but would you rather have to start over in a month or so?

 

[CCutshaw]

Take a look at this http://autocool-refrigerants.com/product.htm#tech page new replacement.

Calvin

 

[ndurbin]

I'll echo what everyone else said and say covert it. Most of the mixes such as Freeze 12 or whatever are flammable and mostly R134a with stuff mixed it to work with the R12. Not only is the stuff dangerous because it is flammable, the 134a mixed with it will be lost because the R134a molecules are smaller than the R12 molecules and the R12 hoses aren't designed to hld the smaller R134a molecules in. It's a real headache for shops when they get vehicles with mixes in them when they try to recycle the stuff. It will contaminate the stuff the have and takes big $$$ to get rid of it.



You'll be farther ahead in the long run to convert to 134a.



Nathan

 

[Bschneider]

1) Don't mix the two.

2) Freeze 12 works great. If you only need a can or two to charge up, then you'd be best off using Freeze 12 than replacing everything just to use R134. You need a license for the Freeze 12.

3) R134a prices are skyrocketing because DuPont closed their plant last summer for "retooling" then never opened it again. Things were fine through the winter, then summer hit and BAM up went the prices. They're starting to come back down, by the way. Rumor is, DuPont will reopen the plant later this summer.