R1234yf Freon

[onewhippedpuppy]

As if I needed another reason to hate the government…..

Consider this a PSA for anyone working on a newer vehicle. My 2020 Ram AC is only blowing cool and the low side isn’t getting condensation on the pipe, so I broke out my handy R134a gauge set. Nope, pipe fittings are different. Then I notice the R1234yf sticker on the cowling, apparently this is the new shiny happy earth friendly refrigerant that started being phased in around 2017, and I believe mandated by 2020. Which of course have different fittings, great. Find an adapter set on the big A, they showed up today. Check the pressure and sure enough it’s a little low, so I run to the FLAPS for a can. $64 effing dollars for a can of this crap! Putting that aside I get home, go to hook up the can and nope! Can tap is left handed thread, YGBSM. Drove back to the FLAPS, got a tap, run back home thinking this is the moment. Nope, connection to the charging hose is also left hand thread. FML. So now I’m waiting on yet another adapter to complete my AC recharge Mona Lisa. What an effing joke….

[rockfan4]

I'm kind of surprised that they could sell you a can.

One of the channels I watch is Rainman Ray, and he went through diagnosing a Silverado that was low. It ended up being a bad valve on the charge port. But he was saying he didn't have a R1234yf machine, he was ordering one, but the new machines require you to enter the vehicle's VIN, and I suppose somewhere there's a government database that says "Hey, OWP's truck took two cans in 5 years, we have to seize it and crush it" or something.



Both our daily drivers have the new stuff. I guess I can sell my AC Recharge Pro rig.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

no brainer

ZeroR® R1234YF Refrigerant Recharge Kit | 24" HD Can Tap Gauge | 8oz R1234YF (1 Can) $49.99

[Arizona_928]

Earth. I’ve heard that acronym used for research on new fluorinated refrigerants labeled as “green”. Nothing green about fluoride though…. Alkane conversion…?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I'm kind of surprised that they could sell you a can.

You can even buy R12 if you swear on your Mom's grave you wont use it and only resell it. If you want to buy a big tub of either (R134a or R1234yf) I think you need an EPA 609 certification which is very doable with an online test through the Mobile Air Conditioning Society MACS. I learned a lot from it but I learned more in the tech forum here. Charlie Griffith, Ronnie and Glen (and the search engine) are a good start to taking it up a notch.

Advance had/has the 1234yf for $46 per can. The cans on the upside are 2/3'ds the size of R134a. Walmart has R134 for $10 and Honeywell R1234yf for $38.

I remember helping a lady's son out with his weak blowing AC - 2016 (pretty sure) Civic and I had to buy a new vacuum pump as well as the R1234yf accessories. A $300 day. The vacuum pump works on either system.

Back in the day the 930 used 48 oz's of R12 but you could buy 30 pounds at Costco for $90 which would cost $9 for a complete evacuation and refill.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

no brainer

ZeroR® R1234YF Refrigerant Recharge Kit | 24" HD Can Tap Gauge | 8oz R1234YF (1 Can) $49.99

Fair point, I didn’t know how deep I was going to get in this BS. Also seemed worthwhile to retain the ability to use my gauge set for high and low side pressures if there’s a real issue in the future.

I was able to pick up the R1234yf at Autozone, nothing special needed. I believe it was $64 for an 8 Oz can, same size as R134a but about 4x the price.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

just look at the positive side, if you had had to bring to a shop it would be about $1500

I am now jumping in my M491 and driving home so I wish you well.

[brainz01]

I've not done it, but apparently it's possible to replace the 1234 with 134a on a 1:1 as the oils and pressures are similar.*

If I had a 1234 car out of warranty, I'd strongly consider it as the 134a is cheap and works fine.

*This is not a DIY how to. Do your own research.

Sent from my CPH2451 using Tapatalk

[Brian 162]

I had the same surprise when my CPO Tahoe had no a/c. My gauges didn’t fit, then I find out about the new refrigerant. It cost me $1500 at the dealer to repair.
You guys are lucky, those small cans aren’t sold up here. You need a license to handle refrigerant up here.

[A930Rocket]

I’m about to look at my 86 911 AC. It has a small leak and needs to be charged up, per the previous owner…

Hopefully, it goes a little better than OWP’s!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I’m about to look at my 86 911 AC. It has a small leak and needs to be charged up, per the previous owner…

Hopefully, it goes a little better than OWP’s!

If your 86 has the original rubber hoses, they are non barrier hoses. The R-12 just passes through, even 134a if it has been converted. Back in the mid 80s, R-12 was 50 cents per can, and Porsche figured the non barrier hose was cheaper than barrier hose, and they could save a few bucks per car in production.

So if you have the OEM hoses, expect to recharge once per year. You really should replace the 40 year old rubber hoses with barrier hoses.

I have barrier hoses and go for years with zero need to recharge, and I have 38 degree air at hurricane fan speed when it is 100+ degrees outside. More than just new hoses are needed to get that performance from the pitiful factory AC of the Carrera or SC however.

[Otter74]

What’s the latest and greatest for retrofitting old AC systems? Still R134a or something else entirely? I’m thinking of re-installing AC on my BMW E12.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Otter74

What’s the latest and greatest for retrofitting old AC systems? Still R134a or something else entirely? I’m thinking of re-installing AC on my BMW E12.

Electronics Duster from Walmart. R152.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOGc4A6jihg

Start at 32:48 or 34:40 to save some time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XJRKZJ9/

My 964 is gonna get this....someday.

[onewhippedpuppy]

On a related note, anybody buy R12 recently? I still have a brand new rusty can in my cabinet just in case. Met a guy in the Lowe’s parking lot in a Freon drug deal years ago.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

It's on FBMP a lot.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

On a related note, anybody buy R12 recently? I still have a brand new rusty can in my cabinet just in case. Met a guy in the Lowe’s parking lot in a Freon drug deal years ago.

One of my wife's friends loves to go to estate sales. I had asked her to look for R-12. She found a few cans for me. Around 25 or 30 years ago, we were at Sam's and I saw a 30 pound bottle in the shelf for about $70 so I grabbed it. No license needed, so I bought it.

Both of my 80s cars still use it. My father in law built a recovery machine, so only when I have a leaking system do I lose any, and I usually go many years with no recharge.

[A930Rocket]

I priced out the barrier hoses, and they were almost $900! Ouch.

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

If your 86 has the original rubber hoses, they are non barrier hoses. The R-12 just passes through, even 134a if it has been converted. Back in the mid 80s, R-12 was 50 cents per can, and Porsche figured the non barrier hose was cheaper than barrier hose, and they could save a few bucks per car in production.

So if you have the OEM hoses, expect to recharge once per year. You really should replace the 40 year old rubber hoses with barrier hoses.