AC R-12 Can o Gas, No Jokes Please

[davidki]

Well, as in my other posts I was inquiring about recharging my 86 930 factory air which has R-12 in it. As everyone knows, R=12 is a bit on the expensive side so allot of you folks suggested Freeze 12. Well I found a source of freeze 12, enough to completely purge my system and refill it. I also purchased enough for future needs..

Then, I thought I"d just put a question on Craigs list.. and low and behold, I got a response from a guy that said he had 6 cans of Virginia Chemical Can O Gas, Refrigerant 12. Well I went over to his garage and there they were, looked like brand new bottles 14oz cans just like they came out of the box. this guy had the cans to recharge a car he was rebuilding but sold the car before he worked on the AC... so, when I listed I was looking... he responded an just so happens he was jut 7 miles form me.

So, my gut feel is to go ahead and refill the car with this R-12, I have enough to keep for future top offs as well. I thought I"d post here and ask if any of you guys disagree... I know down the road I'll have deal with the R12 issue but for now.. I seem to have enough to top off my car and enough to have on the shelf.

The cans have been kept in a garage in a dry place and the cans as I said look brand new....

What would you folks do given the same situation (my car has never had anything but R12 in it).

Ok, I can hear the jokes over the name now!

[bob deluke]

I bet that's not virgin R-12, but reclaimed. Dupont and Genetron are the two big players in refrigerants. Good luck trying to buy virgin R-12.

[davidki]

Well, according to the can, this is Virgin r-12, the guy had it in the garage for quite a few years and just didn't need it ... he said if I don't use it, he will buy it back.... I can't find anything on the company, I think it was acquired by Allied chemical some time back. Honestly, these cans look as good as the Freeze 12 I bought last week.. from what I am told as long as the can is not tapped the freon will last for ever. So I hope so..

[80-911SC]

david if you hav the gauges and the know charg away, if you dont i bet your local shop would charge it for you for a fee. i think the previous poster thought you just bought new cans of r-12 not new old cans, best of luck

[davidki]

80-911 thanks for the response.. well, I appreciate any comments.. and I do have someone that is going to charge the system, he is a Porsche shop! I have full confidence in him. At first, our thought that if I could not acquire any R12 I could go with Freeze 12 which I was prepared to do. I have purchased 18 cans of Freeze 12 to have on hand when the day R--12 is impossible to get. I"d rather use R-12 and finding these cans I think it will be fine. The cans are like they just came out of the box.. the guy had them in his shop, on the shelf and even said if I don't use them he would buy them back.

I just have been use to seeing R-12 name, not the big long name on the can.. but I have just done a google search and it comes back that Dichlorodifluoromethane-ccl2-f2 is the name for Freon 12/R-12.

I'd just hate to get something that was mixed with some chemcial that would eat my AC system from the inside out :-)

I know at some point my Freeze 12 will come in handy... but until then I'd like to keep it stock.

I am looking for gauges now so I can have it on hand and check the system from time to time and if I have to top off the system.. but I have to learn first on how to do all that.. so, I"ll leave it to the pro's until then.

[djpateman]

Personally, I'd use the Freeze 12 first, and be relatively certain the system does not leak. I'd hate to use the last of the R12 on a system that may have a leak. The Ford we had years ago had porous compressor casting, and the Astro van has a slow leak somewhere. Too damn costly to repair.

[bob deluke]

Dave;

Glad to hear you have virgin R-12. Don't waste it! If gauges show pressure is low in the system, you probably have a leak. Fix that first, usually the barrier hoses or compressor seal. Don't waste the R-12. Sometimes the leak is at the schrader fitting on the compressor. Make sure there are caps on the fittings as well. They won't stop major leaks, but help to seal somewhat and keep dirt and crud out of the fittings. Any good a/c mechanic who cares about what he's doing should do a good job for you. That R-12 is like gold, so hang onto it. Best of luck with your project. By the way, a R-12 system does a much better job of cooling than a retrofitted R-134A system.

[davidki]

Thank you very much djpateman for the suggestion, I have spoke with the mechanic that is going to work on the car, we are going to do an extensive leak test on the system. My problem the car really didn't get used for almost 10 years (lots of reasons) and I think just over time and lack of use it just ran down.. I don't think it's empty because it cools some but not enough. I'll know more Thursday as that is when I plan to bring it in. In my research I would have to evacuate the current R-12 before I use the freeze 12 anyway.

Since the freeze 12 I have is brand new and this R=12 is older I was just thinking it may be an option.

[davidki]

Thanks Bob.. I also checked with the shop and they will do a leak test on the R-12 to make extra sure it is virgin and usable! I have 6 14 oz cans, as you can see in the picture, these are not rusty old cans found in the back of a garage, they are just like new.. the seal is fully intact, so I am guessing that the stuff is good. In any event, I will have lots of Freeze 12 with me just in case. With any luck, I'll have all my answers by the end of the week and a car that will be comfortable to ride around in :-)

[bob deluke]

Dave;

If the mechanic finds the leak, yes you will have to reclaim the R-12, repair the leak, evacuate the system with a good vacuum pump capable of pulling about 500 microns or less, then recharge with your reclaimed R-12 or new R-12. Both can be mixed together. Refrigerant does not "wear out". If the system has some pressure after 10 years, my guess is that you have a very small leak. You may not be able to find it if its that small. If you can't find it, just top off charge and let it work for another 10 years! Good luck..Bob