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R12/Freeze12/R134-A advice sought

fastsvo on Fri May 21, 2010 11:05 PM User is offline

Year: 1991
Make: Ford
Model: Mustang GT
Engine Size: 302
Refrigerant Type: Freeze12
Country of Origin: United States

Hey guys,

I just found out today that my vehicle had been charged in the past with Freeze 12 (different fittings) and needs to be recharged.

Now, from what I have picked up here and on other forums that Freeze 12 is the work of the devil (ok maybe not that bad - but definitely not favored)

My situation is that I have three mustangs, each with different style of compressors.

1)1967
2)1986
3)1991

And I also have 3 cans of R12 from back in the days - enough to service one vehicle.

Million dollar question is which car gets the R12. Granted the 1991 is only vehicle that is currently running and has the entire system connected.

Is it worth considering recharging it again with Freeze 12?

Which refrigerant is more prone to leaks? Because I don't want to go through this again.

If I convert the '91 to 134-a (this compressor seems to be the best for the conversion out of the 3 cars), do I need to replace the accumulator and the orifice hose? Going this route, I have been quoted $350 total.

Thanks,

Eric

TRB on Sat May 22, 2010 12:07 PM User is offlineView users profile

Freeze 12 is mostly R134a. So if the system is empty? I would use R134a and apply the normal steps when one converts a system. Corvette would get the R12 in my opinion.

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Peter_Coll on Mon May 24, 2010 8:56 AM User is offlineView users profile

Save the R12 for the 1967 MUSTANG....(Tim, How dare you refer to a Mustang as a Corvette.) After that, do what Tim said for the 1991.

TRB on Mon May 24, 2010 10:26 AM User is offlineView users profile

Quote
Originally posted by: Peter_Coll
Save the R12 for the 1967 MUSTANG....(Tim, How dare you refer to a Mustang as a Corvette.) After that, do what Tim said for the 1991.

Must have had Corvette on my mind from a different post.



-------------------------
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

NickD on Mon May 24, 2010 11:02 AM User is offline

I need someone to sit down and explain the concept of Freeze12 to me and handle me like I am an idiot. Freeze12 is blend of 80% R-134a and 20% R-142b, the latter being an HCFC that is suppose to be miscible with the mineral oil and act as an oil carrier. And advertised to be a direct replacement for R-12.

First off its not, as most receivers and accumulators of that era are not R-134a compatible where added R-134a can dissolved the dryer causing the compressor to seize. You have to change that dryer first to an R-134a compatible type.

Then why are you adding refrigerant in the first place, have a leak? That leak has to be found and repaired, and if you have leaked out refrigerant, odds are, you also lost some if not of your oil. So you have to flush the system anyway and put in the required amount of oil. Might as well use an oil that is both R-134a and R-12 compatible.

Then why a blend? If one of the two or more gas mixtures leaks out and the other stays to fool the system, you are dead meat.

Swear with some of these alternatives, the producers are smoking crack and somehow void of product liability lawsuits, but hey, with an old system, that is almost impossible to prove in a court of law, and you even start that lawsuit, would cost you the price of replacing your system at least ten times.

So we have a market where evil people can take advantage, either that, or I am an idiot.

MBDiagMan on Mon May 24, 2010 11:30 AM User is offline

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said!

It absolutely amazes me that there is such a wide variety of these... well I'll hold back on the expletives in referencing "alternative" refrigerants. Not only is there a wide variety of them, but there are gazillions of vehicles out there with who knows what in them. I have two recovery machines, no refrigerant identifier and no sealant detector. I might as well not have the machines because I'm scared to death to recover ANYTHING unless I have first hand history/knowledge of the system that I'm connecting to.

If truth were known, I fully expect that the vast majority of systems with "alternative refrigerants" are not labeled nor do they have the correct fittings.

All that said, the part that puzzles me most is how crazy people get over refrigerant. Many people just seem to forget their third grade arithmatic and will spend hundreds of dollars on a system so that they can save a few bucks on refrigerant.

End of rant.

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Have a great day,
Doc
ASE Master

fastsvo on Mon May 24, 2010 12:17 PM User is offline

Yes, I do need to first find where the leak occurred (O-rings?), but I have been finding additional R12 cans for fairly reasonable prices ($15-$20 a can). So, I'm thinking why should I spend $300+ dollars on converting it to 134-A when I can recharge it with R12 for less. Others might argue about recharging the system down the line and honestly, I might not keep this car for many years to come (the Fastback is a keeper).

-Eric

fastsvo on Mon May 24, 2010 12:18 PM User is offline

Would a shop be hesitant to flush a system with Freeze12 in it (or whatever is left)?

TRB on Mon May 24, 2010 12:25 PM User is offlineView users profile

Flushing would not be an issue. Reclaiming what's left could be.

Every vehicle that we work on gets a refrigerant and sealer check before our machines get hooked up. Yes the cost of a good refrigerant identifier has a price. But in the end you are providing a quality service to not only you but your customer. I say this as most reclaim into a tank and reuse. If you suck crap into a tank and then fill another vehicle. You just messed up another vehicle which could lead to an issue for them at the next shop.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com


Edited: Mon May 24, 2010 at 5:54 PM by TRB

Peter_Coll on Mon May 24, 2010 4:36 PM User is offlineView users profile

Nick,

I'll explain this in elementary terms.

1) Approved refrigerants are approved only on the basis of their effect on humans and the environment. No consideration is given (by the EPA) to what works in a system or what components need to be changed.

2) Alternative refrigerant creation/manufacturing/marketing is a business.

3) Consideration is being given to only allowing 3 refrigerants in the USA. R12, R134a, HFO-1234yf. (FYI, R142b is now on the EPA's restricted list.)

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