R12 134A or Other
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 418
Likes: 4
From: Iron Mountain,Michigan
R12 134A or Other
Hello Fellow Vetteheads, Thank all of you for my lesson on low side pressure switches, now I have a question on refrigerants. I want to now charge up my system ,when I verify it is low on pressure, can I use the solution that is on the market that is supposed to be compatible with both R12 and 134A and if so who makes it and do I have to do anything with oil? 
TYiA Peter
TYiA Peter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Debate rages on concerning this subject. I like R12 and will continue to use it until it is no longer available. If you can't bring yourself to spring for R12 then to me R134 is the only other alterenative. I would not use any of the blends. An A/C guy explained it to me like this: refrigerant is made of molecules. R12 and R134 molecules are each a similar size so if you have a leak you can just add some and balance the system. Some of the blends have sizes as proportionally different as BBs and golf *****. If you have an leak and the "BBs" get out, you add more blend then you have too many "golf *****" and not enough "BBs". Also some of the blends are flamable and don't get along nicely with compressor seals. My .02 use R12 or R134.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
From: Longview Texas
I used Freeze12 in my 74 comet, then learned that the propellant used in the can (r-12 expands therefore needs no propellant) is propane 
hmmm..... if true, don't have leak in evap core that vents into cabin and be a smoker
back to ??
find some r-12, after the leaks ae fixed, and use it. might cost more $$, but it is colder and these vettes need all the cool you can find ....
plus, r-134a is gonna be gone by 2008 or 10 anyway, prices ahve tripled on that stuff this year alone ..... frggin conspiracy
hmmm..... if true, don't have leak in evap core that vents into cabin and be a smoker
back to ??
find some r-12, after the leaks ae fixed, and use it. might cost more $$, but it is colder and these vettes need all the cool you can find ....
plus, r-134a is gonna be gone by 2008 or 10 anyway, prices ahve tripled on that stuff this year alone ..... frggin conspiracy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
I use Freeze 12. It is 80% 134a and 20% R142 which is a modified R12. There is no propane in the can per the MSDS. For more info and the manufacturer's website search for Freeze 12 with Goggle.
Roger
Roger
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Pouria Savadkouei
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 477
From: NM
Need to evac the system to get the old stuff out and to remove any water from the system. Then add the correct oil for the refregerant being used and then the refregerant to the recommend levels.
Duracool 12a Unacceptable Substitute - Flammable blend of hydrocarbons; insufficient data to demonstrate safety
Could not find anything on the EPA site or on Google on R-16a.
but no refrigerant is compatable with R12 other than R12. DO NOT mix.
Free Zone or RB-276 19% HCFC-142b and 79% HFC-134a plus 2% lubricant. Basicly the same as Freeze 12 but with a lub
Freeze 12 20% HCFC-142b and 80% HFC-134a
Check out these EPA pages for more info:
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/ref.../macssubs.html
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/ref...sts/mvacs.html
tom...
Originally Posted by lyndave75
Check out Duracool.com .... they claim it works 40per cent better than r134a, and its a lot more inviro-friendly.
Originally Posted by Ironcross
R16A is directly compatible with the R12 with no other changes and is cooler than 134.
but no refrigerant is compatable with R12 other than R12. DO NOT mix.
Originally Posted by dogboy
Free zone> I used this on other cars with great results. You need to get a dedicated hose & change out the adaptors.
Originally Posted by RMS73
I use Freeze 12. It is 80% 134a and 20% R142 which is a modified R12. There is no propane in the can per the MSDS.
Check out these EPA pages for more info:
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/ref.../macssubs.html
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/ref...sts/mvacs.html
tom...
Last edited by Tom73; Aug 3, 2005 at 11:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by lyndave75
Check out Duracool.com They have a website where you can order refridgerant directly and they claim it works 40per cent better than r134a, and its a lot more inviro-friendly. 
I am running this in my 85 & plan on using it when I get the system redone in my 82.
Blows nice & cold, better than the r134a stuff & you don't have to replace seals& O rings (that are still good) like you have to with r134a.
http://www.duracool.com/
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,768
Likes: 2,514
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
You can use R12A, which is an environmentally safe R12 substitute which will mix with old R12. It is colder and cheaper than R143A or R12. Most shops don;t tell you this is available as they are making a lot of money on R134A conversions.
