Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:26:43 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Freeze-12 and other A/C supplies
In-Reply-To: <20100619183738.DEWDD.797191.imail@eastrmwml35>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
If you aren't going to do the work yourself the two "approved" refrigerants will be your main options, with a lot of emphasis on R-134 for various reasons. Freeze-12 and those products like it are ~80% R-134, so that puts you in the ballpark as long as you understand that you still likely won't find anyone to work on it for you; the refrigerant that makes up the other ~20% is there to reduce pressure on the compressor. AIUI you can get a replacement compressor for the Vanagon that's designed for R-134. Then I'd say your down to hose leakage as your biggest concern, assuming you did everything else (flush and evacuation and so on) according to Hoyle.
There are other issues with having mixed refrigerants; most of this stuff has been extensively covered on the list in the last 3-5 years and is in the archives.
It sounds like you had it done the right way... If you're getting acceptable performance in Texas then it ought to work for most other places in the U.S. Some ppl have reported poor performance from R-134 conversion in relatively cool climates, but it's hard to know if they did it properly. Some folks have posted "just dump it in, it'll work". Makes you wonder...
Cya,
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 3:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Freeze-12 and other A/C supplies
I read the EPA listings and descriptions of approved fluids, and several other official discussions of AC fluids. Seems that except for those who sell fluids other than R134, there is universal agreement that when changing over from R12 one should go to R134. I recently changed my VW Vanagon GL Campmobile waterboxer 2.1, original factory air over. I asked several techs about alternatives, and all told me the only fluid I should consider was R134. I asked about cooling efficiency. Every one of them told me that given the exceptionally large evaporator that the vanagon has, there is no problem with it running cold enough, unless there is a leak, in which case one needs to fix the leak. I have read that no car manufacturer recommends any change over except to R134.
I can say that with my system, with no detectable leak according to the shop that changed it over (pulled vacuum over a weekend, no change in vacuum reading), it runs quite cold. I did have the shop change the dryer, flush the system, change the oil, change the fittings, then recharge with R134.
David
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