AC system has a slow leak according to it's old owner that I work with and trust. She advised that she used to top it off with R12 at the beginning of the summer and it would last for 6 months. Has anyone here used Freeze 12, what is the disadvantage of doing so, supposed to be compatible with R12 systems without requiring any type of conversion.

Seems like it might be cheaper and easier for me, rather than screwing around with R12. Certainly don't want to take it in for AC service, trying to do everything on this truck my self if I can.

 

I did, put in Whitey last year, worked well all summer but it leaked out over the winter so I have to start over....

 

R12 Isnt too bad on price if you know where to get it, But Im EPA certified so I can buy it in bulk. Never had any experiance with freeze 12

 

Just priced the 12 at Pep Boys. 38 bucks for the little can. Shorty can you top me off? Mines got bubbles but still cools.
Jim

 

Why not just convert it over? Is there any reason not too? They even sell the kit at Walmart.

 

Is this R12 or Freeze 12 ????

I would like to know that Pep Boys is selling R12.




Fred

 

I was wondering that too. It's gotta be the Freeze. R-12 has been license required for a long time.

 

Yup, that's why I was asking.
It's illegal to sell it otherwise.




Fred

 

Google some stuff called ES-12A. It's an R12 direct replacement.

 

allthough many have reported good luck with converting i have personally talked to quite a few people who have said that even though it does cool, and that's better than nothing, it was colder with the r-12. so instead of converting just use the freeze 12 it is a direct replacement and can be put right in with the original remnants of r12 and will cool better than the 134.

 

What kind of money does a 134 conversion run?

 

I've seen kits for under $50.

 

I was curiosu about this whole subject.

Found this which I presume (by the .gov site) is sort of reliable info
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrig.../macssubs.html

 

The guy at the counter here in Petersburg said he had the little can's of R12 locked up behind the counter cause people steal em blind. Asked how much he said 38/can. The license issue never came up. Did't see em so dont know if he was blowin smoke or not.
Jim

 

My Kit was like $30. I think its just 2 valves that screw over the low and high compression fittings on the AC. That ☺☺☺☺ blows cold as hell too.
Refill cans are about $12

 

Aren't you supposed to replace the compressor when switching to R134a? As it needs to be compressed more than R12 hence burning out the stock compressor in no time?

 

Not that I'm aware of. They've been selling these kits at Walmart for a good couple years now. I've never personally put one in, but they seem totally basic.

 

if you convert you really need to change the dryer and flush the system. This way it will work right. If you dont it wont blow very cold.

 

To convert to R134, You have to replace the drier, perhaps the expansion valve (it's recommended to do so anyway), flush the system, replace the oil in the compressor with a type that's compatible with R134, replace any hoses with barrier-type hoses, and evacuate/recharge the gas from there. Not too hard to do, but there's a little more to the process than what they tell you at WalMart.

R134 doesn't cool as well as R12 did and it's harder on the compressor because it requires higher head pressures.

The oil issue is the biggest problem. R12 systems used mineral oil. R134 doesn't like it. The result is a dead compressor from poor lubrication.

 

Good advice....you must flush it, the oils and the refrigerants ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER! I had an old system on my Jeep that was leaking at the compressor. I found an R-134 new air conditioner, for $845. I figured a new compressor would run me at least $600 installed and I would still have an R-12 system. I bought the kit, installed it myself, and sold the old A/C on ebay for $450. I think I came out pretty good. The new A/C has stayed full for 2 summers now and cools better than the original system.

It gets HOT here in Texas!