R-12 Replacement?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
Re: R-12 Replacement? (CAJUN C4)
R134A is the replacement . I suggest you buy the kit at your local parts store so that you can replace the compressor oil with the type that is compatible with R134A (not the same oil as for R12) . You will need to rent a vacuum pump to evacuate your system and to remove and moisture and old compresser oil. It's a good idea to replace your receiver/drier at this time also. The vacuum pump will also tell you if you have any leaks.
I'm assuming that your R12 is gone, otherwise you will need to take your car to a shop that has the proper equipment to remove the R12 without venting it to the atmosphere. It is both illegal and bad for the environment to release R12 into the air.
If you simply add the 134A to your system, with out removing the old R12 it will die in a short time. :cheers:
I'm assuming that your R12 is gone, otherwise you will need to take your car to a shop that has the proper equipment to remove the R12 without venting it to the atmosphere. It is both illegal and bad for the environment to release R12 into the air.
If you simply add the 134A to your system, with out removing the old R12 it will die in a short time. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Re: R-12 Replacement? (CAJUN C4)
Anyone Use ES12A?
But, if it is a "blend", it is best to stay away from blends -- the different size molecules in blends will tend to leak at different rates and eventually your "blend" is no longer blended correctly. Even if you add more of the "blend" the blend is not correct unless you evacuate the system completely and start from scratch. Plus, some "blends", after they become un-blended, become a fire hazard.
I would stick with R12 or R134a.
Tom Piper
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Re: R-12 Replacement? (Tom Piper)
Im going to add something here that wont be "approved" by a lot of guys, but here goes. 4 summers ago I bought an 89 Camaro. The AC did not work.
This is my dogs car and they need AC. I gambled $35 on a 134 conversion kit and 30 minutes later it was blowing cold No vacuum. Just put it in. It still blows so cold you cant just keep it on max. This is 4 years and 20k miles. So try it if you need it. :chevy
This is my dogs car and they need AC. I gambled $35 on a 134 conversion kit and 30 minutes later it was blowing cold No vacuum. Just put it in. It still blows so cold you cant just keep it on max. This is 4 years and 20k miles. So try it if you need it. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Re: R-12 Replacement? (Spankyellow)
I converted my '85 to r134a but I replaced the rec/dryer, removed
the compressor and drained the oil, refilled w/recommended synthetic,
replace all o-rings with the blue ones, replace the expansion tube,
evacuated and charged w/r134 (put in 2/3rds the recommended r12 charge) and it's been working great.
Dan
the compressor and drained the oil, refilled w/recommended synthetic,
replace all o-rings with the blue ones, replace the expansion tube,
evacuated and charged w/r134 (put in 2/3rds the recommended r12 charge) and it's been working great.
Dan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
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From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 0
From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Re: R-12 Replacement? (CAJUN C4)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
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From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
Re: R-12 Replacement? (CAJUN C4)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Re: R-12 Replacement? (CAJUN C4)
What's so great about something that once you put it in your car, no shop is going to touch it? And if you buy the marketing hype and don't get the water out of the system, you're compressor will self destruct in short order, at which point you'll need to replace all most everything. 12a is a hydrocarbon blend specifically banned by 11 States including Louisiana. It's flammable, though the flash point is pretty high which means that normal exhaust heat probably won't light it off. Having a leaky evaporator (GM's are notorious leakers) and lighting up a smoke might be another story. And if you butt end somebody and have an engine fire, you might get a flame thrower with gas spewing from the condensor at 200psi. The OEM's experimented with HC's and gave up - essentially admitting they couldn't make a leak proof system. Must be me - maybe because I can get enough R12 to charge mine for less than 100 bucks - but I don't see anything "great" about this stuff.
