Going Back To R12?

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May 30, 2008 | 08:59 AM

CCrane65

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 3,802

Likes: 61

From: Wichita KS

Going Back To R12?

Ok, I've seen several threads on converting to R134 but what about the other direction?

My system was previously converted to R134 and holds the charge fine it just isn't cold. It's cool but not sufficient.

Do all the same parts have to be replaced to go backwards or can I evacuate the system and refill with R12 and R12 oil?

cc

May 30, 2008 | 09:04 AM

tommyleea

Racer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 340

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From: Warrensburg MO

I am not sure if you can get R12 anymore, and if you can it is probably cost prohibitive. Cheers.

Tommy

May 30, 2008 | 09:15 AM

wnmech

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,523

Likes: 1

From: grand prairie texas

In my opinion if you flush out your system and replace the receiver dryer and service the system with the proper oil you should be fine. R-12 is still available you will need to find someone with the certification to purchase it for you. Last year I was purchasing the small cans for A little over $30 dollars a can. If you do a Ebay search for R-12 you will find a lot of it for sale for a pretty reasonable price.

May 30, 2008 | 09:19 AM

CCrane65

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 3,802

Likes: 61

From: Wichita KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

I am not sure if you can get R12 anymore, and if you can it is probably cost prohibitive. Cheers.

Tommy

There's quite a bit of it for sale on that auction site but you have to either certify that you are going to resell it to an EPA 609 certified technician or provide your certification number if it is for yourself.

I will simply tell them it's for resale then give it to my mechanic to install. There's nothing that says I have to get money for the resale.

It seems to run anywhere from $15 to $25 per 14 ounce can.

cc

May 30, 2008 | 09:27 AM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,493

Likes: 1,502

From: Little Rock AR

I bought a case at about $20 a can. That should last me a long while as long as the rest of the system holds out. I would say that getting parts may be more problematic than getting refrigerant in the future.

JMO.

-Mark.

May 30, 2008 | 11:10 AM

Wrecked82

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 1999

Posts: 6,692

Likes: 29

From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

I am not sure if you can get R12 anymore, and if you can it is probably cost prohibitive. Cheers.

Tommy

I replaced my 25 year old system with another R12 last summer. Availability of R12 wasn't a problem. Car hasn't been this cool for years!

May 30, 2008 | 11:37 AM

Jud Chapin

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 10,560

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From: Wellington, FL

St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25

This is one of the reasons R12 is still in demand, I believe, as it does a much better job of cooling than 134a in cars that were designed for it.

May 30, 2008 | 12:37 PM

I'm Batman

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 23,831

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From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleea

I am not sure if you can get R12 anymore, and if you can it is probably cost prohibitive. Cheers.

Tommy

Drive to your local O'Reilly with a 609 certificate. You will leave with brandy-new R12.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jud Chapin

This is one of the reasons R12 is still in demand, I believe, as it does a much better job of cooling than 134a in cars that were designed for it.

True...if the system wasn't re-tuned for R134a. Slapping one of those Hell-Mart conversion kits on does not a proper conversion make, and cooling will suffer.