Air Conditioning Top-Up Kit (R12) - anyone tried one?
10-04-2011, 12:24 PM
#2
Why use that when you can purchase R-12. It's still available out there and you can purchase a can top hose cheap that will connect to your low side fitting. An ac shop can convert to R-134A and it's not that expensive. Make sure they flush.
10-04-2011, 12:38 PM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
I was informed that R12 is no longer legally available in the UK. Only way of doing it was by using recycled gas or something??
If the conversions not that much then maybe I'll look into that then. Just had visions of £££ mounting up with new seals etc?
If the conversions not that much then maybe I'll look into that then. Just had visions of £££ mounting up with new seals etc?
10-06-2011, 09:24 AM
#4
I concur ; New R12 is no longer legal in Europe.
If it's like R22, then you can still buy it recycled ..until the end of 2011 and then it's totally illegal to use !
The various replacement gases work but don't give as good cooling performance, partly because of the properties of the gas, partly because your expansion valve is adapted to R12 and not the other gases.
I used Deepcool (which is probably the same thing as in your link) on my 944 with no problems. I have since heard that Deepcool isn't legal for automotive use in Europe either since it is hydrocarbon based (probably Isobutane based like in your fridge) and therefore flammable. It is certainly much harder to find now than it was a couple of years ago.
Honestly the best solution with a leaky 20 year old system is to flush it out, replace all the hoses, joints, filter-drier, fit a R134a expansion valve and recharge with R134a and oil. Expensive, but if your planning to keep the car a few years then it will be worth the trouble since you won't need to recharge 3 times a year....
Obviously Porsche will charge an arm and a leg, but there are air-con specialists out there who will do a much better job for much less money.
If it's like R22, then you can still buy it recycled ..until the end of 2011 and then it's totally illegal to use !
The various replacement gases work but don't give as good cooling performance, partly because of the properties of the gas, partly because your expansion valve is adapted to R12 and not the other gases.
I used Deepcool (which is probably the same thing as in your link) on my 944 with no problems. I have since heard that Deepcool isn't legal for automotive use in Europe either since it is hydrocarbon based (probably Isobutane based like in your fridge) and therefore flammable. It is certainly much harder to find now than it was a couple of years ago.
Honestly the best solution with a leaky 20 year old system is to flush it out, replace all the hoses, joints, filter-drier, fit a R134a expansion valve and recharge with R134a and oil. Expensive, but if your planning to keep the car a few years then it will be worth the trouble since you won't need to recharge 3 times a year....
Obviously Porsche will charge an arm and a leg, but there are air-con specialists out there who will do a much better job for much less money.
10-11-2011, 11:26 AM
#6
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I'm not sure why the the hydrocarbon system being flammable is such a concern. Think about it: right at our feet is up to 70 litres of highly volatile and flammable liquid every time we get in the car (and european officials are concerned about a few hundred mls of an inert hydrocarbons blowing up?)!
10-12-2011, 01:31 PM
#7
I work in the transport refrigeration industry, and I have a few contacts with companies who make household refrigerators....
Apparently quite a common problem a few years ago was that if there was an internal leak the refrigerator filled up with the gas.
When you started to open the door the light switch sparks, ignites the gas, and blows the door off its hinges
Imagine that in your typical modern car interior...with highly flammable synthetic fabrics, foams, and magnesium alloy framed seats and dashboard.
Apparently quite a common problem a few years ago was that if there was an internal leak the refrigerator filled up with the gas.
When you started to open the door the light switch sparks, ignites the gas, and blows the door off its hinges
Imagine that in your typical modern car interior...with highly flammable synthetic fabrics, foams, and magnesium alloy framed seats and dashboard.
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10-13-2011, 09:35 AM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
Didn't realise that was the problem with the old gas. I assumed it was for environment/ozone/CFC-type reasons.Michael Cane should have used it if it was that good at blowing the bloody doors off!
