[logansowner]

Just bought thew hose with the gauge and 2 bottles of Duracool 12a coolant. It's supposed to replace both r12a and 134. Obviously the Impala uses the newer 134.

Anyway, I put the gauge on, and it and according to the gauge, the stock system was WAY too high, but I'm not sure this is the case. Obviously the warning labels say to have it professionally done, but that's just to cover their asses. I've only heard good about duracool.

Right now the Impala blows ok, but it was shooting colder last year than it is now. But my worry is that if the Impala needs much higher pressure than most cars, because according to the gauge it is in the red "warning zone" before I even add any. I know it will work, but I'm just not sure of the numbers. The info that came with it wasn't exactly top notch. 2 cans at $15 each and the gauge was $35. But still cheaper than the $200 they want at the shop.

So what's the deal with this?

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I wouldn't have touched that stuff... now you have some issues because probably have contaminated the system with whatever the hell that stuff is (probably a mix of propane/butane) Unless you haven't hooked up the bottle and only the gauge. Are you on the low side or the high side?

For this kind of situation IMO get a gauge that tells you real info (ie number of kPa) then compare against the factory spec and use a can of R134a to fill...

 

[logansowner]

I wouldn't have touched that stuff... now you have some issues because probably have contaminated the system with whatever the hell that stuff is (probably a mix of propane/butane) Unless you haven't hooked up the bottle and only the gauge. Are you on the low side or the high side?

For this kind of situation IMO get a gauge that tells you real info (ie number of kPa) then compare against the factory spec and use a can of R134a to fill...

That doesn't make any sense.

You honestly thing everyone goes to the GM dealer to get ass raped on an AC charge?

Anyway, I later found out the high original pressure was because I didn't have the system on, because I'm an idiot. Long story short, I have ice cold air again.

The 134 is slightly less efficient, and the new stuff is actually a little easier on the sytem. I don't much care what it is, as long as it doesn't hurt anything and it blows cold.

When I found out it was propane I was a little annoyed at paying 15 bucks for a teeny can, when you can fill a whole BBQ tank for that. But as long as it works.

 

[spaz]

if the car had 134a from the factory which yours does then just buy the plain old dupont freon, any of the other wonder a/c overhaul in a can stuff will destroy the compressor

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

That doesn't make any sense.

You honestly thing everyone goes to the GM dealer to get ass raped on an AC charge?

Anyway, I later found out the high original pressure was because I didn't have the system on, because I'm an idiot. Long story short, I have ice cold air again.

The 134 is slightly less efficient, and the new stuff is actually a little easier on the sytem. I don't much care what it is, as long as it doesn't hurt anything and it blows cold.

When I found out it was propane I was a little annoyed at paying 15 bucks for a teeny can, when you can fill a whole BBQ tank for that. But as long as it works.

No I meant just go get a teeny can of R-134a and put it in the same as you did

As you may know, never mix drinks or the next morning you will not feel so good... my opinion on automotive air conditioning is the same.

Now if you had the system empty... but R134a is so comparitively inexpensive and easy to get compared to R12 I don't see why one would want something else...

 

[logansowner]

No I meant just go get a teeny can of R-134a and put it in the same as you did

As you may know, never mix drinks or the next morning you will not feel so good... my opinion on automotive air conditioning is the same.

Now if you had the system empty... but R134a is so comparitively inexpensive and easy to get compared to R12 I don't see why one would want something else...

I wouldn't. But you can't buy 134 here. With this stuff you remove the 134 and replace it with this. It does not react with the residue of the old 134 though, you just remove what is willing to come out. The only real advantage is that this stuff doesn't seep through like the 134 does, so theoretically it should work longer, and it apparently takes a little less energy to pump. I don't know about any of those claims, all I know is it is ok to mix with 134 (or R12, although the enviro Nazis say that is illegal ) and it is the only thing available.

Stealer wanted $200 to test and refill with 134, and a dealer is the only place I've found 134 here.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Convert it to R12 :yup:

 

[Opusnbill7]

Boy...I wouldn't want to be driving around with pressurized propane in a system that wasn't designed to contain it. I know you've already got gasoline under the hood there, but at least it's in a system that was made to handle a flammable material. The AC system isn't designed for that (as R134/R12 isn't flammable).

But hey...whatever floats your boat...

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I wouldn't. But you can't buy 134 here. With this stuff you remove the 134 and replace it with this. It does not react with the residue of the old 134 though, you just remove what is willing to come out. The only real advantage is that this stuff doesn't seep through like the 134 does, so theoretically it should work longer, and it apparently takes a little less energy to pump. I don't know about any of those claims, all I know is it is ok to mix with 134 (or R12, although the enviro Nazis say that is illegal ) and it is the only thing available.

Stealer wanted $200 to test and refill with 134, and a dealer is the only place I've found 134 here.

Sure you can buy R134a you are just not barking on the right trees (or kittens or I guess salespeople)

I mean R12 is a LOT harder to get than heroin nowadays but R134a is just slightly harder than obtaining crack cocaine. R134a, the hashish of automotive A/C :clap:

Anyway my main concern with switching refrigerants on a 134a system is the mixing of the chemicals, oil contamination issues, and other stuff pertaining to it not being designed for that refrigerant. R134a is so cheap and easy to get (mind you much harder than before) it seems dumb to try and put other stuff. On a dead R12 system I would have put the same stuff you did but on a "working" R134a I would have left best enough alone or tried to get more 134a. Just my 3,4 trillion Zimbabwean dollars.