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A/C Freon for a 92?

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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 07:47 AM
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Default A/C Freon for a 92?

Anyone know where to get some freon for a 92?
I am looking to see if mine just needs to be topped up.
I haven't taken it to a shop because they just screw you over with A/C check for $29.99 and then they tell you you have a leak but in order to find it we'll have to fill the system and then see where it is leaking from for a new price!
How can I check to see what is wrong with mine?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm not sure where to start looking to find my problem!!!

Any help to point me in the right direction will be appreciated!!!


Chris
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 08:05 AM
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I would leave that to the professionals! Read below.

LEGAL WARNING! - Checking for refrigerant by poking something in the fitting and looking for venting is ILLEGAL as it releases refrigerant into the atmosphere. (Please don't do this with R-12 especially!) Second, it's also ILLEGAL to put more refrigerant into a system known to leak (because, again, you're letting it vent to the atmosphere, albeit more slowly). [Note: The EPA web site disagrees with this statement.][It is NOT illegal to top off a leaking system unless there is a state or local law against it.]
This is why you may not find a repair facility that will simply top you off, if they suspect that you need to repair a leak first. If you repaired the leaks and failed components yourself, it is legal to recharge the system with 134 without a license, but not R-12. (However, getting a license to handle R-12 is easy online, and runs about $20.)
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 08:07 AM
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Oops, I didn't see you were from Canada, maybe it's not illegal there to mess with R-12?
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 07:13 PM
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try this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enviro-Safe-...item4d0172ae80
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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I still wouldn't mess with it, especially if you do have a leak, just fess up the $$$ to get it done right, remember you have a vette, they require you to keep your wallet open at all times!
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 09:26 PM
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Before using Enviro-safe, note the MSDS : http://www.es-refrigerants.com/docs/40502_173.pdf . Note the "kaboom" stuff about half way down the page. This stuff isn't R134 or R12 but a hydrocarbon blend, which I think the Canadians allow.
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 09:45 PM
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My 2 cents worth is bite the bullet, have a qualified shop convert it to R134a. Once that is done everything else gets way cheaper. If it gets low after that you can buy a can of the stuff at any auto parts place or Wally World for about $15 and refill it yourself.
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Railroadman
My 2 cents worth is bite the bullet, have a qualified shop convert it to R134a. Once that is done everything else gets way cheaper. If it gets low after that you can buy a can of the stuff at any auto parts place or Wally World for about $15 and refill it yourself.
Not in Canada. The only cans we can get off the shelf is the R12A stuff. Many stories of AC shops refusing to touch your system if they suspect you have used this stuff as it contaminates their recovery systems.
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 10:31 PM
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Well then drive your vette across the border and get your A/C serviced here in the U.S.
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Old Jul 28, 2012 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by RUU
Not in Canada. The only cans we can get off the shelf is the R12A stuff. Many stories of AC shops refusing to touch your system if they suspect you have used this stuff as it contaminates their recovery systems.
They still use R12, but not R134a, while over here it's the opposite?
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 11:53 AM
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NEVER put anything but real R-12 in the system..period..anything else will screw it up..same goes for R-134...that being said, and Ive gotten into some fights about this...if you don't know how the system works and how to check it, there is no point in poking around. Its tough to teach people online how to do this although I do at a school. You can't just add refrigerant and hope that it works. You need to know what the system pressure is first..do you know how to do this? We'll start there.
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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12A is another Hydrocarbon blend specifically outlawed in the US because it can blow up. Popular in Canada and Europe.
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Railroadman
They still use R12, but not R134a, while over here it's the opposite?
R12A (sometimes the "R" is omitted)
http://www.redtek.com/win_12a_refintro.html

This is the only type of DIY refrigerant available off the shelf. Only licensed techs can purchase and install 134a - not sure of the availability of plain R12 now.

Supposed to be compatible with both R12 & R134, but they still instruct the user to have the system evacuated before using.
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by RUU
R12A (sometimes the "R" is omitted)
http://www.redtek.com/win_12a_refintro.html

This is the only type of DIY refrigerant available off the shelf. Only licensed techs can purchase and install 134a - not sure of the availability of plain R12 now.
not in the USA
http://www.walmart.com/search/search...h_constraint=0
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 02:15 PM
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In the US (I don't know about Canada) get your license at www.epatest.com and buy all the R12 you want, though some of EBay vendors seem pretty lax about the licensing requirement. I just bought some R22 for my home unit (different license) and though the site said they needed my license #, they never asked for it - compared to Auto Zone, which when they unloaded all of their R12 years ago, actually called the licensing body to verify that it was my license - geesh! Do make sure you're getting the real stuff; ie, Dupont should be somewhere on the can (and in English - even the Mexican stuff - where you can buy R12 at NAPA - is in English).
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 04:29 PM
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mfi is right! If you don't know what you are doing, leave it to the professionals and loosen your purse strings!
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Old Jul 29, 2012 | 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Cruisinfanatic
was following up on an "in Canada" comment/question. Walmart in Canada also only carries the 12A kits (Duracool brand).
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To A/C Freon for a 92?

Old Aug 9, 2012 | 07:23 PM
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Thanks for all the info guys!
I'll see if a shop can check it without stealing my wallet!!

Thanks
Chris
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Old Aug 9, 2012 | 07:25 PM
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Good luck, let us know what you spent!
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 05:42 AM
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Originally Posted by AirForceOne!
Good luck, let us know what you spent!
When I bought my 88 the A/C wasn't working so I took it to a nearby garage and he evacuated the system to remove the R12 and changed it over to R134a for $146.00. I was happy with that since I can now add it myself in the future if necessary.
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