Regassing old air con

[oilychariot]

My father's gorgeous 1990 300td has slowly lost its abililty to cool the interior this year - rather than converting the AC system to the current type of refridgerant I have read it is possible to use another type without having to replace all the seals etc.

Anyone with experience of this? How well did it work, were there any probs associated with it?

All comments greatfully received!

 

[jaymanek]

Technically its not legal to use anything other than R134a AFAIK...

however I know there are some a/c specialists that use another type of gas that is supposed to be cooler than R134a but not as cool as R12.

 

[grober]

Even the days of R134a [ 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane ]are numbered with a ban on its use in new vehicles from 2011. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_161/l_16120060614en00120018.pdf
It is proposed to be replaced by a new fluorochemical refrigerant HFO-1234yf (CF3CF=CH2) in car aircon systems.
It would appear that no sooner has a new refrigerant found widespread use than evidence eventually emerges it damages the ozone layer. Rearranging a few carbon and fluorine atoms just doesn't cut it apparently.

With a slightly heightened sense of irony I can reveal that the other non fluorinated gas proposed as a car refrigerant is Carbon Dioxide!!!!!!! The Cool War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
While the hydrocarbons Butane or Propane [which you probably have already in your domestic fridge freezer under a code name] are running as an EXPLOSIVE third choice.

 

[oilychariot]

Any more knowledge and thoughts....?

 

[lynall]

Google r12 regas and see what comes up.

E bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIR-CONDITION...in_3?hash=item35a30fa40e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14



Lynall

 

[Roger Jones]

I had a conversion to R134a done:

RETRO PRO R12 TO R134A CONVERSION :: Retrofit :: Autokool

It works. I don't say it will go to "ice cold", but how often does that matter anyway?

 

[surreychris]

Hi All

There is a r12 drop in replacement that you can top it up with.

I used to get it for my Jags, though my W210 is newer and runs on the newer gas.

Try National Aircon, find their number in yellow pages, its who i used and they always had the drop in replacement.

No need to change the seals or valves or anything

regards

Chris

 

[oilychariot]

thanks guys, SurreyChris esp. We can all google - it's good to hear from someone who has actually been there and exprienced the results. That's what I was after!

 

[lynall]

AAggh but you also said all comments gratefully received



Lynall

 

[MPG]

Mine was converted over a year ago to R134a. Still works perfectly, even on the hottest day (anyone remember those ?) I never need to set it to minimum temp. I have to say I was very sceptical, but it works !

 

[oilychariot]

Your googling was gratefully received, lynall. You even beat me to it.