Freeze 12 Replacement for R-12

[VTMopar]

Saw this on ebay -- is this stuff legit?    Is it really a simple replacement for R12 -- without going through the whole conversion?      

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Cans-Freeze-12-Freon-R12-REPLACEMENT-Tap-Available_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46094QQihZ012QQitemZ220109302173QQrdZ1

Vermont MOPAR

[71340RT]

The local parts store in the small town I live in handles this freeze 12 and they say they sell lots of it with no problems. I thought I would give it a shot if I ever have my R12 system go down in my 71 Challenger RT. I'm not sure what price they sell it for but next time I'm there I will ask.

[purple1]

Yes it is legit. Freeze 12 is a direct replacement for R-12 and can be mixed with R-12. If you need to add a little just to top off this stuff is what you need. If you have no freon in your system at all, you are better off converting to 134a and fixing your leak(s).

Dave 

[Bullitt-]

It's the real thing. Here's a FAQ link http://autorefrigerants.com/freeze12faq.htm

[VTMopar]

Dave:   I'm coming off a restoration so my system needs to be fully charged.   Just curious -- why not just use this Freeze 12 instead of investing in the 134 conversion?     

Vermont MOPAR

[purple1]

In the case of a restoration you may want to use the freeze 12. And I would still change out the oil in the compressor, so you still need new oil. But if the system leaks you can not just go to any store and buy it to top off and it will someday be phazed out. The freeze 12 costs more than 134a so that is also a factor.

My a/c guy said for me it was better to go to 134a for cost, he can get that much cheeper.

Dave 

[VTMopar]

Well, that probably makes sense -- although I have to add oil anyway due to the restoration -- and I saw the Freeze 12 on ebay for 6 bucks a can.    Not sure what a conversion to 134 involves..... or the cost??

doug

[purple1]

Any time you open the system and expose it to the air for more than just a few hours, you should replace the dryer. As it will soak up mosture from the air quickly. If you start with freeze 12 then want to reto to 134a you should replace the dryer again, and the oil so that would be an extra cost as well.

I have mine almost ready to charge. I replaced all the o-rings. Presure tested the a/c dash core. And had the reto fittings welded to the new hoses I had made. The new dryer is just waiting to be installed. I am going to test with nitrogen and run a flusk kit just before filling with oil and charging.

Dave 

[Bullitt-]

Dave, sounds like you know your refrigeration..Do you ever pull a vacuum on auto systems?

[VTMopar]

Dave -- you obviously know a heck of a lot more about all this then I do.   

I do know that in conjunction with the resto work we installed a new new dryer,  and new "o" rings,  and new oil.  The lines have been cleaned up and appear fine (will need to test the whole system for leaks prior to charging)......    but then am I ok using the Freeze 12 ? 

thanks for the advice!

Vermont MOPAR

[purple1]

Dave, sounds like you know your refrigeration..Do you ever pull a vacuum on auto systems?

Allways pull a vacuum on any a/c system before charging. All air contains mosture, mosture is a real no-no in an a/c system.

Dave -- you obviously know a heck of a lot more about all this then I do.   

I do know that in conjunction with the resto work we installed a new new dryer,  and new "o" rings,  and new oil.  The lines have been cleaned up and appear fine (will need to test the whole system for leaks prior to charging)......    but then am I ok using the Freeze 12 ? 

thanks for the advice!

Vermont MOPAR

Sounds like you should be fine. Make sure to presure test with nitrogen (an inert gas), then vacuum the system and charge. Hope this helps.

Dave 

[VTMopar]

Dave:   One last question -- it sounds like this Freeze 12 is simply a replacement for the old R-12 -- assuming you replace the oil, dryer etc. .... correct?   

If so and it is similarly priced -- why spend the rest of the $$ to convert to 134?    Is there a performance difference between the two?
thanks for your info!   

Vermont MOPAR

[purple1]

The freeze 12 is the auto repair guy quick fix for the old a/c system he will never see again. It will work, and cool like R-12 but will be harder on the commpessor. The freeze 12 does not move the oil around like it should. Also if it leaks it can leak in a strange way, part of the component is small and will leak a small hole leaving the larger stuff behind. So if it leaks you have to pump down the system and recharge.

The 134a retro kit is only the 2 fittings, new oil/dye, 134a refrigerant and a sticker that says this vehicle has 134a in it. Although it will not cool as good as old R-12, with 134a you can just top off anytime. It was a tough call for me as well, but my friend has done this a long time and he has been a good teacher, so I done it the way he said to.

Dave 

[bordin34]

So if my 74 318 Charger had a blue sticker that says that it can be use with r-134a does that mean that its in there and   I wont need to convert?

[purple1]

So if my 74 318 Charger had a blue sticker that says that it can be use with r-134a does that mean that its in there and   I wont need to convert?

That means someone did a conversion to 134a. How good of a job did they do? Did they change the oil and dyer? Or just pump it down, screw on two retro fittings, charge it with the new stuff and slap on a sticker?

I changed all the o-ring to the ones my friend said were for 134a, so how good a conversion did they do?

Dave