R12 Air Conditioning Options For An Old Car?

[slow&rusty]

Gang - With summer coming up I took a couple of my my old cars to get their R12 AC topped up. The Auto Center kindly notified me that they can no longer get R12and even called several locations and suppliers looking for R12 on my behalf and all searches came up empty....surprisingly!

They told me it has been some time since R12 has been available.

I do not want to convert my cars to R134 due to cost and the fact that they are not as cold as R12.

What are you R12 guys doing? I thought about buying a few lbs of this product and trying it:
http://www.freeze12.com/


Thoughts \ suggestions?
Thanks.
Yasin

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can get an EPA cert by simply taking a test and buy it still.

You can also go to Tijuana and get it. Cheaply too, I might add.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

You can get an EPA cert by simply taking a test and buy it still.

You can also go to Tijuana and get it. Cheaply too, I might add.

It would have to be a cold day in Hell before I went to TJ for freon. But then I wouldn't need it on a cold day... or if I was headless.


I just sold my stockpile of 10 cans on Craigslist after offering it to Pelicanites. It's still around, just not over the counter.

[livewirevoodoo]

Stay away from the R12 substitutes.

You can find shops that will still service with R12. A complete fill for a new A/C compressor cost me $150 last week (in Connecticut - Brandford Radiator for anyone in the area interested). Time to crack open the yellowpages or google and start calling around.

Or, as the previous poster mentioned, get the EPA cert. Ebay sellers have R12 for around $60.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Gang - With summer coming up I took a couple of my my old cars to get their R12 AC topped up. The Auto Center kindly notified me that they can no longer get R12and even called several locations and suppliers looking for R12 on my behalf and all searches came up empty....surprisingly!

They told me it has been some time since R12 has been available.

I do not want to convert my cars to R134 due to cost and the fact that they are not as cold as R12.

What are you R12 guys doing? I thought about buying a few lbs of this product and trying it:
http://www.freeze12.com/


Thoughts \ suggestions?
Thanks.
Yasin

Freeze 12 works quite well. I've charged hundreds of AC systems with it in the past.

[fingpilot]

The 'R 12' in Tijuana is butane.

It works, but you get a lot of bang for the buck should it ever leak.

[techweenie]

I have a full R-12 recharge kit I bought when they were going off the market. Don't need it.

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by livewirevoodoo

Ebay sellers have R12 for around $60.

I need to start selling R12. Freeze 12 works, but remember that you will want to charge to 90% of the capacity of what is recommended for R12.

Unfortunately, a couple of your old cars have leaks in the system. I'd be willing to bet that more than half are leaking because of bad schrader valves.

[red-beard]

We run gasoline in the engines. What is the problem of running butane in the A/C? Sheesh, they used to run ammonia in the refrigerators!

One of Einstein's lesser known inventions was a magnetically coupled, seal-less pump for ammonia refrigerators. He put his mind to it after reading in the newspaper about a family killed by their frig.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Nah, you can buy the dupont stuff in the cans down there sealed and all. At least you used to be able to. Haven't been there in about 3 years (and no plans of going back).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Check CL. There's somebody on our local page selling the DuPont cans for $20/each. Otherwise, I've heard good things about Freeze12. I need to pick something up, the FJ80 needs a small charge.

[red-beard]

I converted my 1993 Honda, back around 1998. It was only $185 for the conversion including everything. It was cheaper than the refill at the time...

I bough R-12 in TJ before I left Cali. I ended up using it to refill the 911 after fixing the A/C just before I sold it. The mechanic asked where I found it...

[Robert Adams]

I converted my S2 to 134 a couple years ago, haven't needed another charge yet. It cost me maybe $150 for a new compressor and the charge, etc. When I say it's chilly I mean I need to wear a sweater in July...and we get plenty of the 3H's around here in NJ. Highly recommend the switch based on my experience.

[Racerbvd]

Well, I have a 30lb cylinder of R12 & 12oz cans, so I'm not worried

[slow&rusty]

Thanks for all the feedback and chiming in guys. I found a few guys local to me and also there a bunch of guys on eBay selling R12 as well.

Regards - Yasin

[hook682]

I just finished a conversion on my 1993 F350 last week. I bought an EZ Chill kit for about $45. Took me about a half an hour and now the A/C is actually blowing cold air. The kit came with the proper fittings, 3 cans of R134a, charging hose with gauge and an instructive CD. Should have done it a long time ago.

[Tim Hancock]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=226027&highlight=diy+134

[Joeaksa]

Been using EZ-12 and Freeze-12 in various vehicles for YEARS with no problems.

[Hugh R]

If you use freeze 12, the R134a valves on your gauges won't mate up to the can. You need to go to an A/C shop and get a universal adapter. Freeze-12.com sells the adapter for $17 plus $5 shipping. Click on the picture of the cap tap and it will take you to the order page. My A/C guy told me to use 134a. I'm getting marginal results.

[T77911S]

Ebay, tons of the stuff there, or at least there was not long ago. i bought some a while back, the guy said he had a tractor trailor full of the stuff.

timc also has some for sale.