Question regarding R12 Refidgerant

swurvinervin · 02-04-2003

If I drain the R12 wil that be able to be reusable? Does it need to be purified or how does that work? I took my Mustang to Goodyear and they would discharge the AC but they wouldnt give me any credit for giving them the R12.

GT50 · 02-04-2003

I am not familiar with the laws in the U.S. reguarding the handling of R12. Here in Canada it was banned as of Jan 1. Previously you could of had it run through a reclaimer and have it filtered and later reinstalled in your system. I don't know of anyone that would evacuate a system and give you a credit for it, mind you I guess it would be worth some money to someone.

EZBNME · 02-04-2003

Yes, it is still good. You must of had a leak for them to evacuate the system and repair what ever was wrong. They probably put the same R-12 back in and added to it. You should of had them replace all seals, dryer, vacuum down, and install R134 for less money. It's never been proven you can't mix R134 with R12 oil.

Mana4Real · 02-05-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by GT50
Previously you could of had it run through a reclaimer and have it filtered and later reinstalled in your system. I don't know of anyone that would evacuate a system and give you a credit for it, mind you I guess it would be worth some money to someone.

I agree

swurvinervin · 02-05-2003

Is the R134 colder than the R12? I had to replace the heater core is why I needed the AC cleared out. Pain in the ***!!!

EZBNME · 02-05-2003

The heater core can be removed leaving A/C alone. R12 reacts better as cool air is produced by pulling the heat out of it. My R134 in my 87 blows 32 degrees.

GT Dan · 02-05-2003

The molecules in R12 are significantly larger than the R134. When either escapes into the atomosphere, the R134 dissipates EZ'ier and does not damage the ozone and atmosphere as much as the R12. While R134 is more environmentally desirable; its size (molecularly) is a disadvantage mechanically. Smaller molecules can leak out of smaller holes or weaker seals much more quickly.

R12 is very pricey. Those with refrigeration licenses can give you the quotes. You can still buy the stuff in Mexico and sometimes you can still find it in old freezers.

There is an R12 substitute. If I remember right I think its called Autofrost (but don't quote me). Its much cheaper but is also difficult to find and is legal. Otherwise, if you go with R134 you do need to change out all of the seals and some of the equipment on the old AC system like EZ said.

wagstdy · 02-24-2003

It's not worth worrying about getting a credit for the old R-12. Like was already mentioned, it would be cheaper and easier to convert to R-134. Getting R-12 service is becoming cost-prohibitive. Once you convert to R-134a, you can just go buy recharge cans at Wal Mart for $5 and put it in yourself (in the future when your system eventually leaks enough out warranting a recharge).

R-12 is colder than R-134a but it isn't significant enough to worry about.

For what it's worth, I bought the R-12 to R-134a conversion kit at Wal Mart for $35 and didn't change any of the seals or drier or compressor....nothing. As a minimum I should have changed the seals and drier but was too lazy. System is still working after one year.

myfirst50 · 04-08-2003

I've been told that R134 is about to be discontinued just like R12, so the price will skyrocket just like R12. Is this true? The EPA website doesn't say anything.

multistang · 04-09-2003

I do commercial refrigeration for a living and when I recover R-12 I have to take it to a reclaim site and pay them to take it so the shop isnt out of line in my way of seeing it. 134A is the ticket for your car.