The
facts about a/c refrigerant
How
did we ever get along with out air conditioning in our cars?
It's a feature we take for granted until, suddenly, it's blowing
hot air.
Many
owners have discovered that to fix an inoperative air conditioner
can cost a few hundred dollars or more, depending upon the make
and model of vehicle. The reason is that the old standby R-12
refrigerant, trade named DuPont Freon, is being replaced by
environmentally safer R-134a. A '93 or older vehicle came equipped
with R-12; since then
R-134a
is standard. If your vehicle is leaking refrigerant you're damaging
the ozone layer.
If
your older vehicle needs major repairs to the air conditioning
system you can expect to replace refrigerant and the oil in
the compressor in addition to the old components. You also may
need to install a retrofit conversion.
Do
not allow anyone to mix refrigerants. They're not inter-changeable.
You cannot add R-134a to your older air conditioner without
first flushing the system. Further, according to the Car Care
Council, some substitutes are volatile mixtures of propane,
butane and flammable hydrocarbons.
An
annual inspection of the vehicle, including the air conditioning
system, may help forestall costly repair.
Provided
as a public service by the Car Care Council
