Hello.
I need to recharge the A/C system in my 87 F-250. I found a couple sites that sell a refrigerant called HC12a. The claim is direct replacement for R12. Also more efficient than R12 or R134a. The only supposed drawback is it is a hydrocarbon, thus flamable. But so is gasoline! Also less expensive than R134a. One brand name is Duracool.
Anybody had experience with this product? Sounds like the way to go to me.

Tim

 

First, let me ask you this: why do you need to recharge your system? Because it's got a leak. Take it to a shop and have them leak-test it at the very least to find the leak and perhaps fix it. Otherwise, you can just come to my house to flush your money down the toilet. You'll be replacing your drier, compressor, no telling how fast the charge will leak out and how much oil it will take with it, etc.

Jason

 

once u find the leak... go to WAL-MART and buy the r12 to r134a coversion kit...i comes with a pressure regulator..3 cans of r134a and the new nipples...30 bux

works great save money...forget the r12 its way expensive

also none of this will help if its leaking

 

If you are thinking of converting to R134A, (my first choice, as I converted an '85 Pontiac Pareisienne to r134a and it will frost portions of your anatomy!) Be sure your purge the entire system of all R12 and and as much of the oil in the system as you can. ( An Air compressor works fine to blow the system out.) Clean the expansion valve, and then replace the removed oil with ESTHER OIL. This is compatable with the r134A. ( Put the correct amount of oil in the LOW pressure side of the compressor.)
After adding the correct fittings for the r134A, place a vacuum pump on the system and evacuate the system of all air and moisture, you may even want to place a new dryer on the system first for better performance. The longer you leave the vacuum pump on, the better results you'll get as you are getting more moisture out of the system. If memory serves me correct, you will need LESS of R134A than R12. Charge the system, and if done correctly you'll have plenty of cold air. Hope this info helps. (Got my recharge kit and esther oil at Advance auto parts for about $40.

Dee W.

 

What rdw said, except replace the expansion valve rather than clean it. They're only a few bucks and most any part store should stock it. The exact amount of r-134a you'll need is 80 percent of whatever amount r-12 it normally takes. Less and it's not efficient, more and it can lock up the compressor or be inefficient.

Also, DO NOT use that hc12a garbage. It's propane. My boss personally witnessed a propane system EXPLODE at a intersection one day. The shrapnel ruined everything that got in its way (ie: radiator, oil pan, wiring harness, etc etc). This stuff is very dangerous to use in a/c systems and is illegal in some areas.

 

I use Duracool in mine. It runs at a lower pressure to do the same job. I find it works as good or better than R12.

 

Seems like HC12A or Duracool (Same thing) have a lower flash point than 134A, (1342 VS. 1670) works more effeciently and has a larger molecular structure which translates that a very slow leak with R12 or 134A won't leak HC112A. Neat stuff for the older Broncos.
Pat