Duracool Refrigerants
 

Has anybody used Duracool 12a instead of R134?

I spoke with my indy today about getting my ac working and he suggested that I should have the ac system converted to R134, it would cost me around $350.00. I would like to avoid the conversion if possible.

I searched and found an old post that mentioned Duracool 12a and was wondering if anybody had used it recently with satisfactory results.

Thanks for your input,

350.00? wow, was he going to replace the condenser for that too? most just change the oil and fittings and charge her up... find out exactly what they want to do to "convert" you.
there was a thread about the hcr's earlier this week... search for them.

Hydrocarbon Refrigerants???
 

I found the post on Hydrocarbon Refrigerants, I hope this is the one you were refering to.

Thank you!!:)

Duracool is just a blend of R-134. The cooling capabilities are marginal in these vehicles.

The best option is to find an indy who will allow you to keep the existing R-12. Finding such a person is not easy, but, it will benefit you greatly in the long run.

Actually, Duracool is one of the hydrocarbon blends (read butane and propane) - no R134 IIRC. Its flamable and not legal for motor vehicle applications in some states. No personal experience with the stuff, but the consensus seems to be that it cools quite a bit better than R134, but not as well as R12. Since its a blend, if you have a leak you'll need to evacuate the whole system since the components won't leech at the same rate. They advertise as a drop-in ... they aren't.

.........must have been thinking of Freeze-12..........too long a day........:o

Thanks for the correction.........

I agree, fix any leaks and have it charged with R-12 for the best performance. If you don't want R-12, go with R-134a but don't expect the same performance. Stay away from "alternate" coolants.

ok, so I paid $225 to have mine converted to R-134, and they didnt even change the fitting on the high side. Now I STILL cant get a reading on it.

again, what did they "convert" to run 134? for 225.00, I expect some replacement parts! most a/c shops charge around 75.00 to "convert" a car to 134... little more than draining the accumulator/receiver and adding the oil mixed 134 though.

My personal experience with hydrocarbon refrigerants in non automotive applications is that they cool BETTER than R-12.

No experience with them in a MB yet. I will be installing a HC referigerant in my 300D soon.

R12 kit
 

I found R12 kit on ebay sold by USS_Autoparts, I'm going to try that first.

Thank you all for your input!!!!

My mechanic uses duracool. Both my 84 and 85 300SD have duracool. They work well for me. It's been in the high 90's here in TN and MD (where I work). I find at idle the air isn't as cool as when you run at highway speeds but i'm always comfortable.

I used duracool in the benz and it was ok but no great. Converted to r-12 and that was the answer. Duracool works great in my explorer for 2 reasons I think. 1 it has a larger condensor 2 it uses an orifice tube rather that one of these stupid expansion valves,

aaaah! expansion valve is FAR superior to any orifice tube. a working one is anyway...

Where on EARTH did you get that information??? Duracool is NOT a blend of 134or any other freon products.

I have used Duracool in several cars with excellent results. It works well in small A/C systems such as the Mercedes. I get 27degrees F on my '77 240.