azbanks

My system was running R12 and needs a recharge.

What are my options and what is the best? Living in Phoenix, I need good performance and have heard that r134 doen't cool nearly as well as R12 and some other options. R134 also requires a refit of some things like oil and valves. So what are my other options?

R12 ?
Autofrost/R406A ?
Others ?

xsboost90

-pull the lines from the side of the compressor and siphon out the mineral oil

-reinstall lines w/ new orings

-vac system out

-recharge w/ 134a WITH Ester oil - which is the proper oil and will mix w/ residual mineral oil ok.
-You'll need two cans-2lbs...

m73m95

134 will work alright in our cars but as our condenser is on the small side, it won't be as cold as r-12.

If you want your AC to be as cold as possible when sitting in traffic, then you either need to find someone with some of the old r-12, use r-22 that is used in home AC units and refrigerators, or find some "dura-cool" (Which is basically r-22).

Freeze 12 is what I use to update systems, and it works well. It is r-134 with some kind of additive that makes it work a little better in our systems. Its still not as cold as r-12 though.

However, r-22 contains propane and is flammable. Its not "recommended" for use in cars. I have heard of people using it without any problem. I have thought about running it in my 944. It can't be any worse than the eventual fuel leak from the fuel lines running over the exhaust......

Tom M'Guinn

Unless you have big leaks/problems with the current system, just buy R12 on eBay.

josephsc

+1 on R12 -- though, lots of sellers will insist on seeing your EPA 609 Certification (it's to protect them and eBay). There are places online where you can get your certification by taking a short open-book exam.

Tom M'Guinn

That's true -- the online sites make it very easy and cheap to get the EPA certificate

m73m95

http://www.epatest.com/609/

$19.95 and you can buy the **** out of r-12

I am getting hesitant about giving people AC advise. The system is under extremely high pressure, and can be dangerous if you don't know what your doing, or do not have the right tools. Frostbite is a common injury and if it sprays in your eyes, it will freeze your eyeball, and you will go blind in one or both eyes.

I'm not anyones mommy, but with everyone wanting to save money and do AC themselves, I want to give caution. Go to harbor freight and buy the gauges. Don't just use the free gauge they give you with a can of r-134. Buy good refrigerant and oil, not Mel's discount r-134. Lube up the seals you replace so you don't pinch one and cause a leak. Read up about it. There are plenty of sites on the net to get you going. Just be smart about it.

Tom M'Guinn

I wear welding gloves, long sleeve shirts, and bi-focal goggles.

azbanks

Is anyone familiar with autofrost/R406A?

bluedevil

FYI my mec that fixed my system said to stick with the r-12 because our systems were designed to support that level of pressure. You may run into problems down the road like he did when fixing my system.

Eastep

i just had my system tested and charged last month. the guy used freeze 12 instead of R12 because of the cost and limited supply of r12 he had. works kinda..... my windows dont roll up so i only use the air when sitting in traffic :P

azbanks

Does it get cold? As cold as r12?

alordofchaos

Eric, I used Duracool - ice cold; never threw a thermometer on it but I'd swear it was in the low 40 degrees or so area.

Sold here http://www.foxtoolsupply.com/ (no relationship)

Eastep

idk if its as cool because the AC wasnt working when i got the car. thats why i had it checked/filled at the same time, along with belt replacement. I have used the AC once when my windows would still go up, and it never got as cool as i like. i think partly bec the 924 is a fish bowl and i have no tint

DarylJ

There is nearly no pressure difference between R-12 and R-134. Your mechanic shouldn't be telling you things like that.