How Much R134A Required? Anyone used R12A Before?

[jimmy57]

R12a is propane. Not a great idea and will require evacuation of R134a remaining before you use it. Oil does need to be added to system. The "oil" used in R134a original filled sytems is a cousin to ethylene glycol used in coolants and is water soluble so you don't see residues of it in places where water can wash it away like an evaporator leak.
Regular fluorocarbon R12 is the tightest regulated since it has a high environmental damage factor. R134a is WAY lower (the new stuff going into some new cars now, R1234yf, is even lower) and may require licensing to purchase in Canada, it does not require license to purchase in US.

[geokilla]

R12A was suggested because one cannot get R134 or R134A here in Canada. It's illegal for us to buy and therefore will never be obtained legally. The system isn't completely empty either as there's a tiny little bit of freon left in the system. Turning on the AC gives me maybe 3C change in fan temperature at most lol.

Just a bit of info from a fellow Canadian. It is in fact the R12 that is banned, not the R134A. I know this because I have been dealing with A/C issues with my S60 and just purchased R134A from Canadian Tire in the RedTek kit.

Jesse

Um.... differs by province then? Here in Toronto, Ontario, it's only R12A and R22A that can be bought at Canadian Tire and Parts Source.

Either way, guess I can't DIY no more.

[rspi]

That stinks. It's likely going to filter down here after elections. I might have to get my evaporator and change it, and get it serviced before they lock us down.

[erikv11]

I'm sure there is another forum for this discussion but ... that's ridiculous. If it "filters down here after elections," I'll personally recharge your car for you.

[cambiecbc]

Last post about one about A/C refill R12a :
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48295&p=239201&hilit=A%2FC+refill#p239201

I found there was some liquid leaking from the joint to evaporator during refilling. Use some resin compound mixtures to
fix , it stopped the leakage. The A/C works as normal.

[geokilla]

Last post about one about A/C refill R12a :
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48295&p=239201&hilit=A%2FC+refill#p239201

I found there was some liquid leaking from the joint to evaporator during refilling. Use some resin compound mixtures to
fix , it stopped the leakage. The A/C works as normal.

Too late.... I paid $150 to get it recharged this morning. Thanks though. I'll keep it for next year

Is it bad to mix R12A with R134A though? Like I suspected, I did have a tiny bit R134A left in the system.

[jblackburn]

Yes, the system should be evacuated to switch over to the R-12a. Supposedly it runs a lower high-side pressure and carries heat a little better (since it's a mix of propane).

Truth is, R-134a sucks as a refrigerant. The new systems do not get anywhere near as cold as R-12 air conditioners did. Our house and cars used to get FREEZING on hot days in the summer. Now it just seems like AC units struggle when it's in the 90's outside, and people just learn to accept it because we were all sold on the R-134 because it's "good for the environment."

HOWEVER, rant aside, contrary to evacuating for re-installed R-134, you DO NOT have to pull a vacuum according to the Redtek's instructions.

http://www.redtek.com/win_12a_chargeinstall.html

9) RED TEK® 12a Refrigerant is installed through the LOW SIDE SERVICE PORT AND IS CHARGED AS A LIQUID INTO A "0" ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION. DO NOT INSTALL INTO A SYSTEM WHERE A HARD VACUUM EXISTS. DANGER!! DO NOT INSTALL ON HIGH SIDE SERVICE PORT.