I just had the A/C repaired in my Jeep and the garage nailed me for $70.00 a pound for the R-12. I could buy it on E-Bay for $20.00 if I had a dealers number. I found on a Google search a couple products that claim to be "better" than R-12 and is available to anyone. The A/C mechanic refuses to use it because he claims any substitute is a blend and not good for the system. Is there some truth to this or doesn't he want to give up the profit on a $210+ sale of Freon. If they are unfamiliar with the substitute I can understand why they don't want to use it because they are warranting the A/C for a year but I also think they should learn about it to save their customers undue expense. They seem like honest folks and I want to keep dealing there but I think the markup is a bit steep. I have another A/C to get fixed and was considering on forgoing the warranty and charging the unit myself if the replacement refrigerant is a good product. I have enough R-12 to last a while for top-offs but if I use it to charge the next A/c I'll have to pay a service fee on top of the high dealer R12 cost. Enviro-safe Refrigerants is one Web site I looked at. Their ads seem to be one of those "too good to be true" deals. Are there any A/C mechanics here that are familiar with the substitutes? .....Thanks....

 

The shop I work at has had good results with FREEZE-12 an R-12 substitute.

 

I have freeze-12 in my truck as well. Had it charged last summer and it kept me cool in Vegas.

 

The shop is just protecting themselves. Some of the substitutes have propane or butane in them. If the system leaks (especially in the passenger compartment) possible fire and death. Would you risk your shop on that liability?

 

R 134-A Is great all you need to do is change the seals and the oil in the compressor and you are good to go good luck.

 

How old is the jeep? I converted a 1990 F-150 to R-134 6 years ago. Worked great after the system was flushed and evacuated and 134 installed.

 

The Jeep is a '86 J-10 but it's a done deal. It only needed a clutch but the system leaked down because another shop told me a couple years ago it was the compressor and I didn't want to throw a grand at it. The A/C that needs fixed now is in a '85 Buick Park Ave. If that one needs a compressor maybe it would be better to convert to R-134 . Would there be any reason for them to refuse to warrant a conversion? They have the car now but haven't got back to me with an estimate.

 

Go to the apropriate forum (A/C)
or look into the Virginia Chapter and ask for Larry Mantta.

THAT man knows A/C, and has NEW ideas!

More than that I should not say, except that HE IS THE ANSWER!

 

Just converted mine to R134, and it works great. Coldest a/c I've ever felt. Costs a few bucks, but you'll have a cheaper and more steady supply of the stuff, so I'd just do it.

 

yes but did you know they are the least flammable. it takes 1,650 to catch fire r134a and r 12 are 200 less so the mix is less likely to catch fire. i have used the envirosafe with great results it costs 5.00 a can

 

I've used a substitute called HotShot before. It doesn't work quite as well as R-12 but it is a drop in and it cooled a fridge down enough to keep beer cool!

 

I've heard that a lot of shops won't deal with the 'substitue' refrigerant brands because when they get mixed with R-12 or R134a they can ruin the shop's A/C equipment. So if the shops are worried about that, then it makes sense to me that they would also be concerned that the same thing could happen to a vehicle's A/C system.

IMO, your best bet in the long run would be to convert your Jeep's A/C system to R-134a.

 

I used EnviroSafe in my 78 F150. It worked great until a stinkin leak lost it all. I recently converted to R134 and am loving it. It needs another couple ounces to top off, but right now my center vent blows 42 degrees farenheit. That is using the stock compressor and a/c parts.

 

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Jeez, I didn't realize we had an A/C forum. I usually don't scroll down past the '94-'97 PSD. group. I should pay more attention. Thanks for the tips.

I went to the EnviroSafe Web site and ask a question about the comment of the mechanic that blends would harm the unit. Here's the pasted reply I got. The answer was incorporated with my text.

He said all replacements for Freon were blends, were not good for the system and would contaminate his equipment".Stupid thing to say". Is there any reason for his opinion?
" No, he is a dummy and a one-trick pony who knows less than nothing about what he is talking about. You do not need him. Let him wallow alone in his ignorance"

This doesn't sound like a comment from a professional businessman. It gives me the impression it's a back alley office "business" that is selling a scam. Cigarxtc seemed to have no problem with the product but I don't think I want to use it. Maybe the guy just had a bad hair day but it is still inexcusable in my view. I doubt that comment on this forum about another poster would last more than a couple seconds after the moderator found it.....

 

you can get a conversion kit for R-134a at autozone that costs about 30$. its a lot cheaper than constantly refilling it with R-12, and R-134A is supposedly better for the environment, not that im a tree hugger.