1976 Deville Air Conditioner re-charge

jmoffo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-07, 10:19 AM

I bought a '76 Deville in MINT condition knowing that the a.c. was not working. The car has only 50,000 miles on it and rides like a dream. The previous owners said the freon leaked out and would have to be re-charged. (We know what that is like)....

My question is, can I successfully use FREEZE-12 instead of the old Freon in my system after the leak has been found and repaired? I DO NOT want to convert to r-134a. My thermal fuse was blown thus validating (hopefully) that all she needs is a leak repair and new charge.

Thanks for some insight ...

Jeff

The Ape Man · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-07, 06:03 PM

Anything that isn't R-12 will not play up to OEM standards. R-12 is usually available on ebay. Sellers are supposed to ask for certification from a buyer. This certification can be learned and then tested online in one evening. Google is your friend. I have enough R-12 cans here to last until I die. Purchased all on ebay.

Broughamadrosis · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-07, 06:24 PM

Use caution with the R12 substitutes, even though they are equal or better in cooling efficiency, and have no ozone depleteing side effects, they are not yet EPA approved. Some claim the approval is pending - but some brands contain butane and pose a potential fire hazard.

That being said, I tried some and I'm very happy with the results. Way-chilly, just the way I like it...

The Ape Man · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-07, 07:58 PM

Propane works great as a substitute for R-12. Stuff that can blow up usually has other uses. Automotive Hindenberg.

jmoffo · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-07, 09:41 AM

Which substitute have you used Broughamadrosis?

I am going to check if Freeze-12 is EPA certified...I know it has no CFC's

Broughamadrosis · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-07, 08:48 PM

I tried HC-12a. The Brougham took 3 cans. It'll give you an ice cream headache...

jmoffo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-21-07, 09:40 AM

Is it easy to obtain? And if so, where did you get yours? Can I use the same compressor oil I would use for Freon?

Broughamadrosis · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-07, 10:26 PM

http://www.hc12a.org/

The Ape Man · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-07, 10:59 PM

Ur, uh, if this stuff works so well and is cheap then why don't OEMs use it????
Read the MSDS. Like having a bomb under the hood. Even worse is the fact that the car is old and has old hoses which might spring a large leak sometime. They might never find the hood....

Broughamadrosis · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-07, 06:40 PM

Hey Ape,
I asked myself the same question - which is how I learned about it's status with the EPA - but not until after I had installed it. However, I don't feel compelled to run out and empty it. Hindenburg?

- really? Is that on the MSDS?

Jeff asked about the substitutes, and I told of my experience, but not before warning about the caveats.

I don't mean do come off as some fan-boy of the stuff - just reporting the results that I have experienced. If the the thing lights-off and I live to tell about it - I'll post it here

But in the meantime, I'm sure that Jeff is a big boy and make an informed decision, based on facts and not uninformed exagerations.

The Ape Man · #11 (**permalink**) 03-24-07, 08:32 PM

So you are saying that it's OK to install propane or similar hydrocarbons in an air conditioning system designed to use R-12? Did you read and understand the MSDS before you put the stuff in your car? Ever seen a high side air conditioning hose fail catastrophically? A high side O ring failure? BTW, the MSDS contains a really cute blurb about how sulphur is added to the gas for leak detection. Ice cream headache might be more than just a headache.

jmoffo · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-07, 08:16 AM

Well...

This car is my pride and joy...have wanted one ever since my father got rid of his '75...back in '79 for a new Caddy....

So, any info I get, I read carefully. I am going to refill her once the leak is found with good old r-12. That is what she called for 31 years ago...and once the leak is detected and repaired, I hope the r-12 will last me for a while. I do apprectiate all the caveats and did not realize how different the repalcements acually were and how HOMOGENEOUS they are NOT!

Thanks a great deal guys!

z06bigbird · #13 (**permalink**) 04-06-07, 11:21 PM

blow up??? Propane?? Don't give me any ideas????

When I was a kid up in the coal mines, we used carbide and water to make small explosions. I don't know how I survived. I gotta admit. It was fun.

Today, we all would probably be in jail--just for making small explosives when we were about 6 or 7.

ed

The Ape Man · #14 (**permalink**) 04-07-07, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z06bigbird

blow up??? Propane?? Don't give me any ideas????

When I was a kid up in the coal mines, we used carbide and water to make small explosions. I don't know how I survived. I gotta admit. It was fun.

Today, we all would probably be in jail--just for making small explosives when we were about 6 or 7.

ed

Just imagine getting into an accident with someone who has an AC condensor full of propane at 300 plus PSI.

Brother_B · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-07, 03:51 PM

I saw on the MSDS for the HC-12A that it was basically other names for substances that have variations on propane in the name. Is it really the same as propane, or is it some safer variation, with some extra (or missing) chemical group?