Bill51sdr

No... 134a is not an option.

I've already posted this question in OT with resounding silence.

I have been told FR-12 is a drop-in replacement for R-12. Anyone out there have opinions on the pros/cons? I am told it has no hydrocarbons and is safe. I will be recharging my system prior to a Palm Springs trip this weekend. R-12's price is gettng ridiculous and I can get a 25 lb. cannister of FR-12 for @ $230.00.


Any opinions appreciated, thanks!!

hacker-pschorr

Use "The Google"

http://www.refrigerantsinc.com/fr12.html

Bill51sdr

Thanks Erik. Not liking the fact you still need to fit adapters to the R-12 fittings. May have to stick with the R-12.

Imo000

Is FR-12 combustible? An HVAC buddy of mine told me that Propane has pretty much the same characteristics as R-12 except for one "minor" difference. Farmers tend to use it in their equipment and every now and then, you would hear a tory where one that leaked and blew the windows out! LOL

Bill51sdr

I've been told it is not. Hope that is the case if I ever decide to use it.

Jadz928

R12 charge from local Porsche service $312.

Bill51sdr

Jeez... It's expensive, but it ain't THAT bad!! You should look into other places if the need ever arises again.

Bill Ball

Without exception the supposed drop-in R-12 replacements are mixtures of isobutane and propane derivatives..Lighter fluid. They are not approved for "topping off" R-12. They are heavily promoted as "approved" and "non-flammable". Louie had a nice engine fire when a AC hose developed a leak with one of these substitutes installed. If you look around you'll find these mixtures have been condemned as unsafe and unapproved by the EPA. That may not be the most trustworthy source, but in this case they have some good information. I'll get the links later.

dprantl

R134A 30lb containers for under $100. Why not just convert, it really is not that hard. I wouldn't mess with anything other than R134A/R12. You would be introducing some other kind of gas in there which no one will service in fear of it contaminating their A/C tools.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C

hacker-pschorr

I did not realize this is the propane stuff. Didn't a 928 go up in a blaze with this a few years ago??

My local shop will not touch any car that has anything other than R12 or 134A installed. Once anything else is introduced, you must replace every part to go back.

Bill51sdr

I've been in cars (928's and others) with 134 conversions and came away unimpressed. They simply were not as cold as R-12. I used to service A/C sytems in another life so I know my way around them. I will probably stick with the R-12 for now.

hacker-pschorr

Same here. Sure it works, but not as well. My 928 will drop down to 29 degrees coming out of the vent with R12

bronto

Yes propane is flamable, it has to be to make an internal combustion engine work. Yes farmers use it. I grew up in a farm and we used it in forklifts, tractors and even an old Ford flatbed truck with a carbuerator conversion. I wouldn't want it under pressure in my vehicle though...

Bill Ball

Louis Ott's car had a fire at the OCIC a few years ago when of the R-12 hydrocarbon-based replacements leaked out of a hose. The story even made it into some AC professional trade mags. Fortunately the fire was extinguished quickly.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...0/ai_n18894615

Bill Ball

About 2 years ago R-134 rose to be the same cost as R-12. I see it has fallen back down now as you say.