where to buy R12 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TonyD · #16 02-19-2005, 06:01 PM

The little mom 'n pop A/C shop I took my 300SD to didn't have any trouble getting it. They tested the system and added about two pounds of R12 for $80. It was late summer in the San Fernando Valley and I gladly paid.

alabbasi · #17 02-19-2005, 06:05 PM

You do realise that in Mexico R12 is dirt cheap... I am sure that there is a huge racket going on.

leathermang · #18 02-19-2005, 07:31 PM

Well, at first the gov put a tax on it... then the number of cars which came from the factory with a beefed up system which could use the 134 without detriment as to cooling started to overtake the number of old cars which needed it... Supply and demand... except for shops which will let you think it costs huge amounts and pass that price on to you.

phantoms · #19 02-19-2005, 08:01 PM

The sale or possession of R-12 produced after a certain date is against the law in the US, however it is still made and sold in other countries. Hence the high price.

rdc500 · #20 02-20-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

You need the certificate to buy Freeze12 too. I got mine for that reason. The only thing that is certificate free is R134. (Maybe something else called Envirosafe). Freeze12 is part R134 part something else. I tried it on my old 92 Saab 900 and but had issues with the expansion valve. I have to evacuate the system when replacing the valve and used R134 instead. I made sure I only filled it to 75% of capacity. I was getting 20degrees from the vent in a Texas summer (this was a convertible too). As long as the tempreture didnt go over 100, the A/C was ice cold with R134.

I know in TN you do not need any certificates to buy Freeze 12. I have used it on several vechicles I own with no problems. Finding F12 is a different matter. It is a little hard to find in my area.

bullwinkle · #21 02-20-2005, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantoms

The sale or possession of R-12 produced after a certain date is against the law in the US, however it is still made and sold in other countries. Hence the high price.

That's not exactly true-what IS illegal is the manufacture of R-12 (and any other CFC/chloroflurocarbon based refrigerant)-sale of "factory purified" recovered/reprocessed refrigerant is perfectly legal(at vastly inflated prices of course

). I personally know of US vehicles running MP39 as a drop-in replacement; of course, as a refrigeration tech I've got plenty of R12 lying around(bought a bunch before the price gouging got really bad). Good luck(and be sure to fix all those little leaks!!!

).

phantoms · #22 02-20-2005, 01:58 PM

That is still produced before that cutoff date, just recycled.

BTW, has anyone noticed the price of R134a climbing?

fang · #23 02-20-2005, 03:07 PM

Got a friend that goes over every so often just to go, and while he's there he picks up ever how many cans he/his friends need, usually recieves about 10 bucks/can. It's nothing but a racket (good work if you can get it). I've read/heard somewhere that Duponts patent on it was about to run out and then it could've been made by anybody, thus R-12 conveniently became 'evil'. I HAVEN"T investigated this put plan to...........................

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