How do I know if my AC is R12 or R134a?
To tell if it has been converted you can look for a sticker on the unit under the hood, which would indicate that it is R134a. And you can also look for R134a adapters, which would be located on the charge parts.
What happens if you put R134a in a R12 system?
R134a systems work at higher discharge-side pressures than R12 systems, which could lead to compressor seals leaks. Additionally, since R134a is composed of much smaller molecules, it has a greater chance of leaking from an R12 system.
How do I know what refrigerant my car AC uses?
The most common refrigerant is R-134A (or HFC-134a) however newer vehicles may use R-1234YF (or HFO-1234yf). Even still, some very old vehicles may also be using R-12 (or Freon). The easiest way to know is to check your vehicles A/C system nameplate under the hood.
Which is colder R12 or R134a?
R12 can blow 6 to 7 degrees cooler than R134a and is 15% more efficient. R134a systems require larger condensers and higher operating pressures than R12 systems because R134a doesn't have as high of a heat transfer rate as R12 (which has a heavier molecular size than R134a).
Can you still buy R12 Freon?
Anyone with the required EPA R-12 certification still can buy the 1-pound cans at auto-parts stores, but the cans are kept in the back and guarded like gold.
What Freon is compatible with R12?
The best replacement for R12 is considered to be R-134a. The chemical name of R134a is tetrafluoroethane and it chemical formula is CF3CH2F. It is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and has zero ozone depletion causing potential and very low greenhouse effect.
What year cars use R134A?
In most cars that are on the road today, R134a refrigerant makes the A/C system blow cold on hot days. Selected for its low flammability and safety, as well as because it's kinder to the environment, almost every car built since 1994 is equipped with R134 refrigerant.
Does it matter what refrigerant you use?
So, a good rule of thumb is if you own a vehicle that is newer than 1995 your engine should take R135a refrigerant, but if you have a vehicle older than 1995 you are going to be purchasing R12 refrigerant. If you are still concerned you might be using the wrong refrigerant, look under the hood.
What type of Freon does my AC use?
HCFC-22Freon is a powerful greenhouse gas that is known to damage the earth's ozone layer. If your air conditioner or heat pump was manufactured in 2010 or later, it will use HCFC-22, also known as Puron®.
Can you replace R134a with R12?
Mixing R12 and R-134a refrigerants is illegal, and even if you previously bleed out the R12, the system has to be adjusted to use R-134a, or it will cause leaks, copper corrosion, and lack the lubrication required for optimal operation.
What year did R134a replace R12?
R12 and 134a are refrigerants used in car air conditioning systems. R12 was used in most cars and trucks until 1995 when it was replaced with 134a.
Can I use R12 instead of R134a?
No. Federal law prohibits topping off an R12 system with a different refrigerant. Your options are to locate some R12, however you must be certified to purchase, and add it with an R-12 recharge hose.