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Which Refrigerant are you all using?

Old 06-28-2007, 06:49 PM
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Which Refrigerant are you all using?

I'm finally getting around to fixing the air on the 93. The system was empty so I have a new drier and orifice valve. The system seems to be holding a good vaccum for sometime now which leads me to believe if it has a leak its small. when the system is apart I'm going to flush the system and compressor out. I'm going to put ester oil in since its compatable with most refrigerants out there and will mix with any remaining mineral oil that could not be removed. now the question is what to fill it up with. I have my EPA liscense but honestally with the price of R12 I prefer not to go that route at about 45-60 to fill it. I have been looking at freeze 12 and also 134a. There is also the HC stuff out there like dura-cool and propane. I'm tempted to try the propane to see if it works and make sure the compressor work in the truck before doing the work on it. Those of you who did the 134a are you happy with the out put temps? How about freeze 12? I did a 134a conversion a few years back in a Civic the right way and was pleased with the results but the a/c had to be run on high fan and recirc all the time but it did cool ok. I have been browsing thru the old threads and found some info but thought I put the question up and see if anyone tried something new this Summer season.
Old 06-28-2007, 06:54 PM
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I have Freeze12. Ive also got R12 that I want to put in it-a whole bottle-but no way to measure it. The freeze12 cools great. My a/c is cold as can be, only prob is the lack of fan speed, but whatcha gonna do, cant have it all with a 1st gen.
Old 06-28-2007, 06:59 PM
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Either 134 or freeze 12 will work, remember that freeze 12 has no oil in it so be sure to add enough. I have propane in mine, but its leaking, I finally got my halogen leak detector in yesterday.
Old 06-28-2007, 09:01 PM
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I converted to R134a last year. So far it has worked well enough. I was quite comfortable in 95 degree heat today, towing 7000 pounds of boat at 55 mph and in town. The fish won't biting though.
Old 06-28-2007, 09:25 PM
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134, its all i will use.
Old 06-28-2007, 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by loch
I have propane in mine, but its leaking, I finally got my halogen leak detector in yesterday.
hmmmmm... leaking propane and a HALOGEN detector? in my mine halogen means REALLY hot, lol. sure you wanna do that , just picking on ya.
Old 06-29-2007, 01:08 AM
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In my truck I have a virgin R-12 system but on retrofits I only use R414B Hot Shot.
Jim

http://www.icorinternational.com/ind...&products_id=4
Old 06-29-2007, 01:55 AM
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LOL micia, it wont blow up, besides im almost certain its compressor.
Old 06-29-2007, 04:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Micaiahfied
hmmmmm... leaking propane and a HALOGEN detector? in my mine halogen means REALLY hot, lol. sure you wanna do that , just picking on ya.
The halogen in the Halogen Leak Detector is only referring to the fact it will detect leaks on HALOGEN based refrigerants, and has nothing to do with a halogen light or heat.
However I do have a leak detector that has an electrostatic pump and I believe it could ignite volatile gasses.
Jim
Old 06-29-2007, 05:45 AM
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134 in my 90. been in it 6 years no problems. have seen as low as 38 degree air at 95 temp. does not do as good on outside air but cools the truck nicely on max air. one suggestion use ester oil instead of pag oil not as hard on hoses.
Old 06-29-2007, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by rbrettctd
I have Freeze12. Ive also got R12 that I want to put in it-a whole bottle-but no way to measure it. The freeze12 cools great. My a/c is cold as can be, only prob is the lack of fan speed, but whatcha gonna do, cant have it all with a 1st gen.
does anyone know if you can mix R12 and Freeze 12, or do i have to get out all the R12
Old 06-29-2007, 09:41 AM
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my air conditioning is doing the works fine today none the next time then ok. thinking chunk of dirt pluging orfice? whats your thoughts.? i think i can hear the pump cycle when ac is not working have to check closer. i am up in the air about what to use for refridgerent also
Old 06-29-2007, 10:02 AM
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My ac still works, but on hot days has to be on max air for it to cool well. I also have a overheating issue while towing and the only thing I can determine is that the condenser is restricting airflow to the radiator so i'm going to get a new one. Once that is changed I will refill with propane.
Old 06-29-2007, 11:03 AM
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not to start an argument, just want to let you guys know, R12 and R134a is the only 2 refrigerants allowed by law. atleast a few years ago it was. alot of this stuff on the shelves you see isnt legal to put in a vehicle, i aint trying to start a fight, just throwing it out there.
Old 06-29-2007, 12:58 PM
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Well I filled it up with propane this morning. Got vent temps of 46-47*F. Just giving it a shot to see if the system works. 68 is the current temp with 70% humidity. I would have liked to see it a little colder on the vent temps. The plan is too flush out the system, clean the evaporator coil, replace the orifice valve, drier, orings and put ester oil in. At that point I'm going to give the frezze 12 a shot I think. I might play around with the propane a little more. Does anyone know where I can get a highside adapter for my R12 gauge set? This fitting is a step smaller than the low side. My gauge set has all the same size fittings. So far so good.

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