R12 recharge
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: R12 recharge (vvv90)
A bloody fortune. It's gotta be up over $100/lb by now. That's if you can find a shop that still has any. R12 hasn't been produced in the country in quite some time now, and I believe that it's extrordinarily expensive to import.
My father does A/C and he's still got some R12 left, but you'd have to come to Massachusetts to get it done.
My father does A/C and he's still got some R12 left, but you'd have to come to Massachusetts to get it done.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,268
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
Re: R12 recharge (Jim85IROC)
Yeah, I'm not surprised. I considered the price to probably top out at what it would cost to just retrofit the 134a, if I need 3.5 lbs that's about what it will cost to upgrade to 134a if I'm not mistaken.
The prices about 5 years ago...WOW has it been that long ??? I'm getting old...were about $30 per lb.
The prices about 5 years ago...WOW has it been that long ??? I'm getting old...were about $30 per lb.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: R12 recharge (vvv90)
Autozone was charging $10 to $15 a can this Spring as they unloaded their R12 supply (and I've heard that it's freely traded on EBAY - sometimes at reasonable prices). At Autozone, you will need a license which can be obtained online at http://www.epatest.com. Assuming your system is in fairly decent shape; ie, hasn't completely lost it's charge, you can buy a Manifold Gauge Set and recharge it yourself. In fact, if the system is running now, it would be a good idea to get your pressures so you can get an idea as to how much it might need. If the charge is lost, you need to find the leak, repair it, then pull a vacuum and do the deed. System capacity is 2.25 lbs. or 3 12oz cans, but check the label on the blower motor housing to be sure. Assume that you might take as many as four cans for a complete charge as you never get every ounce out of a can and you will bleed some off to get the air out of the charge line everytime you change cans.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: R12 recharge (Glock'94)
My buddy just picked up 12 cans at a garage sale for $0.50 ea. They were glad to get rid of 'them old cans'.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Re: R12 recharge (vvv90)
Retrofit to R-134A, then you can buy it at Pep Girls from now on. It's an afternoon job, but here's what I did:
New Compressor and clutch. Mine were toast anyway, so just replaced them. Disassemble all hoses, replace O rings. Replace Accumulator/drier. Replace orifice tube. Blow out all system components with nitrogen (good to have a bud who is an HVAC tech). Vacuum system for moisture, ensure that it holds vacuum for at least 30 minutes. Fill new compressor with PAG oil, charge with R-134A to 80% of recommended R-12 charge. Fire it up.
I get 41 degrees at the vent in 100 degree ambient temps. Summer cruising in Texas would be next to impossible without a good A/C. I highly recommend the retrofit. It would totally suck to spend big bucks to recharge with R-12 and have a hose blow a week later. At least with the retrofit, you can get the system working again without taking a reaming from the R-12 pirates. :smash: :smash: :smash:
[Modified by Frizlefrak, 12:08 AM 5/16/2002]
New Compressor and clutch. Mine were toast anyway, so just replaced them. Disassemble all hoses, replace O rings. Replace Accumulator/drier. Replace orifice tube. Blow out all system components with nitrogen (good to have a bud who is an HVAC tech). Vacuum system for moisture, ensure that it holds vacuum for at least 30 minutes. Fill new compressor with PAG oil, charge with R-134A to 80% of recommended R-12 charge. Fire it up.
I get 41 degrees at the vent in 100 degree ambient temps. Summer cruising in Texas would be next to impossible without a good A/C. I highly recommend the retrofit. It would totally suck to spend big bucks to recharge with R-12 and have a hose blow a week later. At least with the retrofit, you can get the system working again without taking a reaming from the R-12 pirates. :smash: :smash: :smash:
[Modified by Frizlefrak, 12:08 AM 5/16/2002]
