What's the current consensus on A/C refrigerant?

[rexmo]

I saw an end cap at Walmart with R134a for $8, double what I was paying at Ace HW last year, but still nowhere near R12.

I'd really like to try propane.

Any other current favorite juices out there?

[Velocewest]

Just add a windshield squirter to the dash in front of you. A wet shirt and a window down and you're good to go... :p

[greg.epps]

I usually try to use the same stuff I've used for the last 10-15 years: 2W60. Or, when it's really hot out 4W80.

For those who haven't heard of 2W60 or 4W80 air conditioning, it follows along the same lines of Velocewest's suggestion (actually, that's an upgrade to 2W60 that I haven't tried): 2 Windows at 60 mph or 4 windows at 80 mph.

[Steve Haygood]

R12.................nothing but,.......... ICE COLD

[RetiredDoc]

I vote R12.

My one owner e28 has had only one pound of R12 added since it was built in 1985, and still blows cold air.

I do run the A/C for a minimum of 10 minutes every time I drive it, even when it's freezing outside. This was due to a suggestion in a long ago forgotten car magazine about keeping the seals lubricated.

[Guest]

i had my AC recharged about 6 months ago.. what do regular shops use? will they put in R12 for me if i buy it? my AC been sucking lately!

[Steve Haygood]

Stop in GA sometime.....get a fillup

[kendogg1]

You know, R12 isn't THAT much colder than R-134a. If it's filled to the proper level, it will be almost as cold. Thing is, to properly fill it up, you have to first evacuate the system, then re-fill with fresh, so you know exatly how much is going in. And, btw, you can't put as much 134a in as 12, because of the expansion differences. You have to put in about 80% as much 134a as your supposed to fill with R-12. BTW - why is 134a going up? I've been told that it's because Dupon't patent is about to be up, but, won't it come right back down then, cause everybody'll be able to make it cheaper then?

[pdx 528e]

When I'm not exercising the methods prescribed by Tony or Greg, I truly do enjoy my 134A conversion. I get plenty of cold air, I havent felt R12 in this car since 1994 (my folks driving it) so I can't actually compare the two, but I don't see any reason to complain with the current configuration.

[Rich in Tupelo]

One vote R12. But if you have to go to something else... Fridge C (hyrid between R12 and R134)

[RetiredDoc]

Here's an interesting list of alternatives to R12. Scroll down to alternative refrigerants.

http://www.kwantlentrades.com/appliance ... chives.htm

I have no idea whether any of these are readily available, or if they'd even work in an automobile R12 system.

[kendogg1]

I don't know man, I wouldn't go throwing in different refrigerants in there. They are all designed for a specific boiling point and a specific pressure, adn I don't think that the commercial refrigerant such as 401a, and the such would have high enough working pressure in an automotive A/C system. Why not spend a couple xtra dollars, and get the right stuff, thast not illegal, and is pretty close to CFC-free, like 134a is? Did you know that the license is different for 12 and 134a as it is for every other refrigreant? R12 and R134a use an EPA section 609 refrigerant handlers license, which I have. ALL the rest require a Section 608 license.

[bmwfan2304]

excuse my ignorance, but can R12 be used in our stock air conditioning equipment??? i have no refridgerant in my car since i wrecked it a while ago and need to do something before summer... last summer was hell with the black interior and 105+ temps...

[a]

r-12 is the stock refridgerant. It is no longer considered green

[I'm the DRIVER]

My a/c system was empty when I bought the car. I just filled it up with Freeze 12 and now blows cold air. Back seat passengers are out of luck though especially with hot black leather seats.

[BDK]

I use 2w60mrpu and 4000e....

[bmwfan2304]

[QUOTE="a"]r-12 is the stock refridgerant. It is no longer considered green[/QUOTE]

i will have to pressure test and fill it myself then soon... i can get r12 cuz i know people in the coolant business... for cheap too... i just hope my system doesn't leak

[Azure]

Both my E28s were R-134 converted. Works great - much better than some other newer cars I've been in. Especially in the midst of the FL summer.. ug (A large part of the heat problems are lotsa glass and the nice heat reflective leather). My first E28 I had converted to R134 when the system went out.. I really didn't notice a difference.

[Peete]

Hmmm, one of the parts guys at the dealer said to not get too attached to 134a. He said R-12 will be making a come back. The EPA never did conclusively say R-12 is an ozone depleter. And it sounds like they are going to lighten their restrictions on it.
Kinda sucks for me. 2 of my 3 Bimmers have 134a. It's not a big/expensive job to convert over. You do not need to replace your compressor to convert. Just the o-rings, drier, and a thorough flush of the oil.