ehall

So here's the deal. I'm picking up a car, that may or may not still have an R12 A/C. Everything works, but it appears to need a recharge. That suggests to me, strongly, that it is leaking at some rate, from somewhere.
Now, I won't be able to spend the time to take it in and get it pumped out, and leak checked/fixed, before driving it through the desert, back to Florida.

So here's a question. What happens if one were to fill it with R134, rather than R12, for the period of about 4 days?

That's all of the time I need, before I can get the job done properly.

This is sort of an "endurance race, make it to the line", type of fix.
I just don't have any idea if it would work.
TIA

KuHL 951

Other than seizing up the compressor by Eloy, AZ what can go wrong while the temp is 3 deg. shy of Hell? Are you picking it up in San Diego? If so take a couple hours and get it recharged with real DuPont R-12 in Tiajuana for about 1/4 the cost in the US. Take it to any car dealer like Ford or GM. It's not banned down there, you can even buy a few cans at an auto parts store for the road but you might have to smuggle them into the US if you don't fill up across the border. At least you won't clog up a good compressor and have to replace about $500 worth of parts.

Jeremy Himsel

Depending on where your driving through, if your passing my way, I can pull a quick vacuum throw in the right oil, and charge it with 134 in about an hour. It's not ideal but will get you where you need to go.

The biggest issue you have is 134 won't carry mineral oil through the system and will damage the compressor so you need to get the right oil in it.

Jeremy Himsel

Also, I can throw some r-12 in it for you as well if you choose to go that route for whatever it costs to replace it......

m73m95

Get some Freeze 12.

Its essentially 134 that works with R-12. It will give you cold air, and not mess up your compressor.

KuHL 951

Leave San Diego at 2:00am and take Jeremy up on his offer when you get to Phoenix...that's the best option posted yet

jyoon

buy a can of r12 from ebay and charge it some.

ehall

I can make it from Burbank to P-honix without AC. (hell I just did 500 miels in S. Fl without it) So how about I pm you when I have my itenerary set, Jeremy. I would really appreciate the help. I'd say I'll bring beer, but I guess I'll just buy it there..FUGGG! Hot beer!

Any R-12 sources? If so, I'll buy some and send it too you in advance.

dand86951

Just another data point, the 1 hour to suck a vacumn and put in correct oil and recharge with 134 should work fine unless you have a major leak. You might want to get to someone who can not only pull the vacuum, but add some of the dye oil. this way when you get back to Florida you will have proof positive where the leak is or if there is none you know you have a tight system.

I drove across the desert from Lompoc through Phoenix during a 120F day with AC once, don't want to do it again.

ehall

Ya know that is what ski uses, isn't it? That's another good idea. I'll back pocket that one.
When I get home, I'll do this right. Like I said, this is simply a cross the finish line...ALIVE...solution. Otherwise I'll fill the hatch with coolers full of Ice and Gatorade!

ehall

was that with or without ac?

xsboost90

i pulled a vacuum on mine and added two lbs of 134 w/ oil - came in a can marked _WITH OIL_ alittle taller than the reg. 134a can. Been working wonderful since.

ehall

are you certain that the rest of your system wasn't set up for 134?

caveat...I know NOTHING about the chemistry of the AC system! so don't be offended by my question.

ehall

I did the same on my current 951. I knew it was 134 ready, whatever the hell that means...I had the work done.

Jeremy Himsel

What Dan posted will work. Oil is carried through the system by the freon. 134 won't carry mineral oil so you can pull a vacuum, add oil, and then add 70 % freon. It's just another option and is not ideal, but it will work. I've got some of the 12 and 134 here that you can replace later.

I'm headed out on vacation to Fl next week. When you headed this way?