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  #1  
Old 06-27-2007, 09:27 PM
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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,

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  #2  
Old 06-27-2007, 09:42 PM
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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.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
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  #3  
Old 06-27-2007, 10:00 PM
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Hydrocarbon Refrigerants???

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

Thank you!!
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  #4  
Old 06-27-2007, 10:01 PM
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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.
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  #5  
Old 06-27-2007, 11:59 PM
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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.
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  #6  
Old 06-28-2007, 12:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjohn View Post
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........

Thanks for the correction.........
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  #7  
Old 06-28-2007, 12:04 AM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton View Post
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.
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.
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  #8  
Old 06-28-2007, 12:15 AM
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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.
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  #9  
Old 06-28-2007, 08:33 AM
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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.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #10  
Old 06-28-2007, 09:05 AM
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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.
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  #11  
Old 06-28-2007, 09:31 AM
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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!!!!
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  #12  
Old 06-28-2007, 11:46 AM
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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.
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  #13  
Old 06-28-2007, 11:50 AM
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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,
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  #14  
Old 06-28-2007, 11:52 AM
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aaaah! expansion valve is FAR superior to any orifice tube. a working one is anyway...
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #15  
Old 06-28-2007, 01:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton View Post
Duracool is just a blend of R-134. The cooling capabilities are marginal in these vehicles.
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.

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