2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Freon can blew up!

[JDKammin]

Just a note to pass on to everyone that will hopefully prevent some frustration. I bought a can of 134 to charge my A/C system. I got in a hurry last Thursday to get out of town on the bike. I didn't make the time to add the can to the truck and left the can in the truck. It must of gotten hot in the truck while I was gone and blew up. I got home and went to move my truck Monday morning and could not figure out what was on the inside of every window. Found the can in the back seat with the bottom of the can split open. I got the windows cleaned for the first time, but it blew on my dash below the ashtray and softened up the plastic dash to where it is sticky. I don't know what I am going to do to fix things, but wanted to prevent this from happening to someone else. Take the time to at least take the can out of the truck.

 

[Dave M]

Wow! Thanks for the warning. Glad no one was in the truck. It's a shame it messed up your dash. I would never have thought leaving it in the truck would cause that. Good thing to remember.



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Devan Manis]

Haha that sucks. I had five cans in my back seat for about two weeks, finally charged it yesterday. But it's been around 105 and I didn't have a problem. I thought they might blow up but they never did. I won't be keeping anymore cans in there though.

 

[The patriot]

Heat raises the pressure.

An old (and somewhat stupid) trick to charge a system fast is to put the cans in hot water first.

 

[JDKammin]

I called my insurance company and they told me that it would be covered under my comprehensive coverage. I have a $100 deductable. Next question is weather I can find a good used dash.

 

[GAmes]

About a year ago I bought an instrument cluster from a guy who was parting out a 97 (same dash). I didn't keep the info on him, but it was listed in the classifieds. You could start there.

 

[Signal73]

mythbusters blew up ready made biscuits today on the show in a heated car:-laf

 

[fest3er]

Keep the split-open can and contact the manufacturer. Standards exist for just this contingency; the cans are supposed to withstand far greater pressures than hot R134A can produce. If it is an accident (look up the real meaning of the word; it is opposed to the meaning of 'substance'), then your insurance is liable to cover the repair costs. However, if the explosion is a result of substandard manufacturing practices or processes, the manufacturer is liable. So contact your state's consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade Commission (product liability); they will want to know about the failed can, mostly because a human could have been in the vehicle when the can failed.

I know it's a PITA, but it is our social duty to report such occurrences. First, the government agencies and departments that oversee product safety and liability need to know when a product fails catastrophically. Second, whilst you and your family and friends were not injured, there is a distinct possibility that a can could rupture when people are in the vehicle; it behooves all of us to at least try to keep that from happening to anyone.

The accident needs to be reported, without much ado or fuss. (Meaning, don't let CBS/ABC/NBC/FOX/CNN get wind of it just yet. ) If a manufacturer is producing substandard R134A cans, regulatory agencies need to know about it. In this case, the government really is there to help us, to oversee the 'general welfare'.

N

 

[DPapworth]

I had a can of generic R134A "split open" when I left it in the bed of the pickup for a couple of days. When I went to collect the cans from the shopping bag in the bed, I found one can empty and a horseshoe shaped mark in the bottom.

I inspected a couple of full cans, and they also have that mark in the same place. It appears the can manufacturer deliberately weakens the can in that spot so that any overpressure will vent out the bottom rather than causing a shrapnel-laden explosion. This also helps to idiot proof the cans -- I am sure there are first-timers with refrigerant manifolds that inadvertently open the high side port with the can connected and the compressor running.

 

[BTowler]

It is my understanding that 134a is also flamable! Add that to the potential damage/injury possibilities!