WallyP

Big Lots has R-134a on sale for $6.77 for a 12 oz can....

davek9

Wow that's like 50% off !
Thanks Wally

dr bob

Here in Cali, the state tacks on an extra $10 "deposit" that can only be recovered if you return the empty can within 90 days of original purchase. Prevents hoarding of these dangerous chemical compounds.

It's going to be record-hot in the San Fernando valley today and tomorrow...

davek9

Ouch.. it's running ~ $15.00 / can here in MI.

Dave

dprantl

Here is a better alternative to buying 12oz cans. Get a cheap postal scale for $25, then get a 30lb R134a tank for $115 and never worry about buying refrigerant again for a long long time, if ever.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

Imo000

I got one of those 30lb tanks and a set of gauges. Best thing ever.

Randy V

Sweet - but I'll bet they don't have it in the California stores.

edit - they do have them in Cali stores. I just bought 4 as I have some upcoming AC surgery planned.

The idiots in Sacramento have imposed a $10 deposit fee on each can of R134a.

Can anyone explain the logic there?

Morons.

SeanR

Can we send you guys our empty cans of R134 and turn them in for cash? I'll start saving if so.

jej3

My local Big Lots is cleaned out of the $6 cans. Good thing I bought 12 cans last time

Seriously, I'll bet the $10/can deposit is for guys like me.

I have a leak in my system and a can or two is good for two to three weeks during summer here in Florida. While environmentally un-friendly, I don't see the financial reason to do anything other than stock up (12 cans for less than $80) and recharge vs spending dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars to sort it out.

Thanks for the tip Wally... this seems like a seasonal sale.

Jim Devine

If you are in the Los Angeles area this is a deal 30 lbs - $100-
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...865380835.html

Find more by searching your local Craigslist - under the "FOR SALE" heading just type in r12 or r134- some days not much. Just keep trying, the time to buy it is when you don't need it!

Bill Ball

Even though I still run R12, my hoarder mentality says to buy one of these tanks.

Randy V

Unfortunately you need a receipt and must return the empty can within 90 days of purchase.

I've thought it through and see no economic incentive here that would directly result in a reduction of CFC emissions. If anything it would be the opposite.

Before when I had just a bit of freon left in the can I would save it until I needed it next time. Now I vent the can to atmosphere of that last little bit in order to get my $10 back.

dr bob

Randy (and Sean...)--

The Cali cans include an internal shutoff valve that isn't on cans for other states. For users, that means a separate tapper/actuator for the valve in addition to the one on your charging hose/manifold. For others thinking to profit from the $10 deposit, it means Tejas cans aren't redeemable.

SeanR

I suppose that's the smart way to go about it, if there is such a thing. Thanks for the explanation. When I first heard of this being a possibility I kept a box of 20 or so cans that I saved up. After looking at it for a couple months I decided it wasn't even worth the space it was taking up even if we could send them your way.

dprantl

Yes, you can keep doing this until enough refrigerant oil leaks out along with the refrigerant to cause your compressor to drag. At that point, either the HVAC relay will burn out or the A/C clutch center rubber section will melt. Then you will have to fix it properly anyway, and you will need to get a new compressor and drier too, along with flushing the system and putting in the right amount of new refrigerant oil. If you are unlucky, the compressor will seize.

The magnitude of the leak you describe is exactly how mine was until I changed out the front evaporator.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft