Cooling System Refrigerant
 

I need to add some freon to my system which is the R-12 vintage. I do not wish to go throught the R-134 conversion. Products like Enviro-Safe and Red Tek products are available to add to an R-12 system. And it seems that I can get these products here in the U.S. Basic questions - are these products OK to use? Legal? Won't mess up my R-12 system?

What diagnostics have you done.....low side pressure?....high side pressure ?
Excessive bubbles in the sight glass?

Does it start out cold then gradually go to cool to warmish ?

From the extensive research I have done, it would seem the best option is to stick with R12. Will still be available if you shop around.....try for new rather than reclaimed R12. You can take/get an online license to enable you to purchase it on Ebay etc.

Rob.

2006 X Type sport Wagon.
1987 XJ6. Daily driver.

I am going through this with my Bronco. As 1100me stated, sticking to r12 would be best if possible. I've heard it's a better refrigerant but also harder to get since you have to be "licensed". My work owns a full-service truck shop and I was told today that R12 is like $200 a gallon, however after a quick search, that's not necessarily true. I can't say from experience, but Red-Tek claims to be a replacement for the ozone-depleting stuff, and they say you don't need a license for it.

Or, if you're doing your own work, and have your own tools. you Could convert to Propane refrigerant, HC-12a.

I have that in one of my Elderly cars, R12 originally. We first dutifully tried 134 but it was SO bad, completely unacceptable! So he got online and found this Propane, put that in and it's Wonderful!! Didn't cost the proverbial arm, leg and rights to first born child either.

The molecular structure is said to be larger than 134 so leaks are minimized. I know from personal experience that it cools a LOT better than 134. In fact, when (not if) Nix needs a charge she's gonna get Propane refrigerant.
(';')

Not safe
 

"Envoro-safe" and many other replacement refrigerants are simply propane and fragrance in a can. It does work but using it is a big risk your life and others. Propane can collect in the interior of the car and go ka-boom!


http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/downlo...e_06112013.pdf

there are alternative refrigerants like Freeze12 which work better than R134a. you need proper adapters to charge them into the system. R134a sucks.

Freeze 12 is 80% R134a and 20% R142B which is highly flammable.
You can see it composition here based on filings with the EPA.
Composition of Refrigerant Blends | Alternatives / SNAP | US EPA




R134a can be made to work. There are many newer cars than cool excellently with it because of proper design. In order to retrofit an older system you need to keep a few things in mind. First the system must be in working order, compressor good, expansion valve good, etc. R134A is less efficient than R12 and the system will quickly looses its capacity too cool if the condenser get too hot. An additional pusher fan in front of the condenser wired with a relay to come with the compressor would go a long way to keep the system cooling. A larger condenser and pusher fan all together retrofitted from a new car would be the ideal.

all refrigerants are flammable,

if R134a can be made to work, why doesn't it work?