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Date:         Mon, 3 Jul 2006 08:21:38 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Avoid Freeze 12!
In-Reply-To:  <4387de760607012136s5437beadicddc6084313396d9@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

RE: Freeze 12 and contamination We had a very long and very detailed thread on this subject about a year ago at this time, maybe it was two years ago. It led to some very interesting information. I'll sum it up here. First, the 'alternative' refrigerants like Freeze 12 fall into the category of allowed R-134 alternatives AFTER the system has been converted to R-134, that means properly evacuated of R-12 and the R-12 captured, not released to the atmosphere. And there are appropriate fittings to adapt the original R-12 system to take the alternatives. Second, the alternatives ARE approved by the various agencies for vehicle AC systems that are to be used OFF ROAD, that is, in tractors, construction equipment, etc. But not approved for use in motor vehicles. Third, some, not all, of the alternatives, contain very small amounts of propane or butane. Fourth, the flammability of these products is NOT established. The EPA site shows them as Not Tested for flammability. Fifth, some States have specific laws outlawing these substitutes. I don't recall if those States outlaw them completely or just for motor vehicles to be used on the road. And last, these alternatives will contaminate normal shop equipment that a good shop will have for working on AC. A close friend of mine quit working on AC in his shop after the second time his equipment was rendered unserviceable by systems that had unknown alternatives in them that had been added without labeling or proper change of the fittings. I understand that most shops that continue to work on older vehicles now have the ability to test the system for contaminates before hooking up to the primary AC service equipment.

All the above comes from available online links. I'm not going to try to see if I have all those links bookmarked, Google can do that for you if you want more details.

The bottom line seems to be that Freeze 12 and it's competitors are viable alternatives for the DIY mechanic but it should be understood that you are on your own when it comes to service unless you are dealing with a shop that routinely services farm equipment and the like.


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