R-12 refrigerant... do they even sell it anymore? Any good alternates?

Question

I have a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am that requires R-12 refrigerant. My mechanic says that he can't recharge it there, and to look for stuff called AutoFrost. I read on the internet that you need some type of certification for it. But, he said I could find it at Walmart, or some type of store like that. Which is true? Do they even make R-12 available to the public anymore? Has anyone had this problem? I don't want to have to change my A/C system to the R-134, or whatever it is, that could be expensive... any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer 1

134a is 1/3 R12 but that is besides the point. Cars produced after 1994 are mostly 134A. \

Now, converting to 134a would be the best choice. the tech. will
install a universal oil and a label to indicate that it has been converted. The temp. difference is minimal on most cars. There should be no hard parts to change unless some thing is faulty.
some cars require a different cycling or high pressure cut off switch as not to damage the compressor with the 134a gas.

I do not recommend any other refrigerant substitutes as some of these contain Propane and other combustibles.

If the repair shop does it's job correctly, a 134A conversion should give you many years of comfy driving....

Answer 2

R-12 is still available. It is not THAT expensive. It is about $25 bucks a can here. A cheaper alternative is to get a product called 'FREEZE 12'. It is a drop in replacement that is available at Champion Auto Stores here in the Omaha area. It is only $9.00/can and works well.

Find a different mechanic to work on this. Your mechanic probably COULD fix this easily but he probably does not have an R-12 Freon Recovery machine any longer.

I would NOT convert this to R-134a. It will not cool as well PLUS it is more likely to leak on R-134a than on R-12. The R-134a molecule is 1/3 the size of the R-12 molecule.

Ask a few mechanics in your area about fixing your leaks and recharging with FREEZE 12, HOTSHOT, or another Drop-in Replacement for your R-12. I am sure you will find someone willing to work on this. If you still have some R-12 in your system, have this Recovered and then put back in after the leaks are fixed. This will save some money on refrigerant, and they have to recover it anyway. Good Luck!

Answer 3

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RE:
R-12 refrigerant... do they even sell it anymore? Any good alternates?
I have a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am that requires R-12 refrigerant. My mechanic says that he can't recharge it there, and to look for stuff called AutoFrost. I read on the internet that you need some type of certification for it. But, he said I could find it at Walmart, or some type of store like...

Answer 4

R12 Refrigerant

Answer 5

You may purchase R12 refrigerant in Mexico for about $1.00 per can ( 11 ounce can) Other options : Duracool makes a replacement you can purchase on-line and they offer next day shipping. No matter which way you choose to go, make sure you change the orffice tube, located in the refrigerant lines. They only cost about 2.00. Best two bucks you will spend.

Answer 6

R12 difficult to find at best, you might find a indidual with a few cans squirreled away but thats about it, best advice would be to do the conversion, its not that expensive if you have to do another repair to get you a/c going again, usually you have to change you accumulator/reciver dryer(same thing different terms) add some pag oil and screw on some adaperrs charge it and go. probly about 150-200 most shops , If you could find someone willing to part with the r12 they have left you would easily spend that much buying it. It really hasn't been availible to the public for a few years now.

Answer 7

Yes, they still sell R-12. It is very expensive, and you have to find someone who is lic. to do it. They make a conversion kit for your car, ask them to convert it over to 134a. You can goto any NAPA store and ask for it. It less costly than the R-12.

www.napaonline.com

You can only buy R-12 if you have a lic. to buy it. A 5 gallon tank costs $300. Well, it was that much in 2003, I am unsure how much it costs now. Your better off converting it.

=]

Answer 8

number one: last i checked you DO NOT need a license to purchase johnsons freeze 12. it is not r-12 but a drop in environmentally save replacement that wont make mustard gas if mixed with the r-12 gas. but its a bit pricey and needs freeze 12 fittings.

number two: a CLOSED SYSTEM RETROFIT as it is called is not more than 50 bucks and can be done by ANYONE. you simply screw the adaptors on the high and low pressure sides or atleast the lowside so you can apply the gas to the INTAKE side(suction) not high side obviously as the can can and will explode violently.

you can have residual r-12 but cannot have any gas in the system or itd need to be evacuated to avoid killing everyone in a 100 mile radius should u get in an accident.

but remember: r-134a (1,1,1,2 tetraflouroethane) must have PAG or ester oil added if not in the can to begin with as it is INCOMPATABLE with the mineral oil used in r-12 systems. in 134a the oil travels WITH the gas

Answer 9

R12 is illegal Freeze 12 is its replacement and you have to have a license to purchase it convert it to 134 so much better for your pocket and the environment a retrofit kit can be purchased at any parts store try Advanced Auto Parts they have the kit resonabally priced and will be willing to assit you and answer your questions

Answer 10

you cant get r-12 without a HVAC license anymore. And all cars made today use r-134a its safer to deal with, better for the air quality. Wal mart sells the conversion kit for the r-12 to 134a.