Has any one heard of a product called Duracool. Their products are sold all over Canada with some good comments and none that I could find, bad comments.
A couple of trucking companies that were skeptical tried in one truck then did the fleet.
Their product appears to be a drop in that is compatible with everything.
Called R12a, it can replace R12 and R134a and is 15% more efficient. Is that possible?
A system flush is required before the change over. They claim the best fix for an old R12 system is to add 4oz. of "Duradry" run for 20 min then add a can of "Systemseal"
Here 's the trick. The propellant for these products is good old fashion R12. Their tech didn't want to say too much about the R12 but hinted to the fact.
What do you A/C guys think?
You can talk to them at 1-888-463-2665
I did now I am really confused.

__________________
1984 300SD turbo 126
"My true love"

God made me an atheist and who am I to question His wisdom

IIRC duracool is just R134a + some additives. It will not circulate the mineral oil in the R12 system.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Adding any type of sealer to an air conditioning system is frowned on locally. Remember this far north air conditioning is not a real requirement except for a few days a year.

SIiighhhh............

How about searching "Duracool" on this forum. It will probably result in about three days of reading material.

It's not like you're in a hot climate. In your case, if you just MUST convert to an alternative refrigerant, R134a would be an adequate alternative. The junk refrigerants all have a downside. If you do the suggested search, you will probably come up with at least a couple of dozen LENGTHY posts from me alone explaining the issues.

I thought Duracool was a Hydrocarbon based refrigerant. Like butane/propane? If so it likely works as good as R12. It isn't likelyto be legal, but the chance of getting in trouble is low. Even R12 is flammable.The only downside would be if it leaked and got picked up by the engine. Manthat would be a runaway diesel,hehhe

__________________
85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

I think you need to do a little research on junk refrigerants.

First things first, up here there is NO option of taking an on-line course to buy / use R12. Our government outlawed it. (Same government has decided that only waterborne auto paint will be legal after this year. 'nother topic.)
Duracool is supposed to be purified, dehydrated hydrocarbon gas, nothing to do with R134a flourocarbon, and it is an acceptable, non-ozone depleting substance, hence can be bought and installed by a DIY'er, point being, the options are limited unless you want to pay a certified tech at shop rate, or know one that will do a side job, but moonlighters are scarce as EVERY OUNCE of refrigerant must be logged and accounted for.
Next, sealers and chemical dryers are not a good replacement for a tight AC system and a vacuum pump. Any moisture left in the system is apt to activate the sealer, potentially clogging up the works, (BTDT, got the t-shirt, and no AC in that old Dodge), and unless the system starts fairly empty, the amount of lubricant to install becomes "best guess".

__________________
1984 300 D runs, interior
1984 300 D light hit in front, RUST, mint/perfect dash, decent interior (see above), parts car
(hate to kill one)
1998 Dodge diesel

Here's some first hand information on Duracool. I ordered the kit with the one can sealer and two cans refrigerant. I installed it on July 15th 2010. My system still had some residual R12 or whatever refrigerant was in there. Within minutes of the installation it blew out the vents at between 35 and 40 degrees below ambient temperature. However at no time does it blow out lower than 40 degrees no matter what the outside temperature happenes to be. It's now 15 days later and it's still working fine.


'87 300SDL 189,000 DURACOOL CAR
'94 SL500 55,000
'89 300TE 173,000

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jcciem
'94 SL5000 60,000
'91 350SDL 545,000
'91 350SD 197,000
'00 E55 AMG 77,000

WOW! The kit not only contained a junk refrigerant, evidently without the Federally mandated refrigerant specific fittings, but also included a sealant.

Unless you found and installed Duracool specific fittings and installed them, you are violating Federal law. In addition to violation of the law you have a sealant in the system which can possibly destroy the system and will definitely render the system to be identified with a sealant. No shop with a recovery machine will touch this system because the sealant will destroy their expensive recovery/recycle machine and it is a violation of Federal Law not to recover refrigerant before servicing. If you did not use Duracool specific fittings I would not be posting your actions on a public forum.

Also, with Duracool being a flammable, you need to check your state law. The use of flammable refrigerant in Mobile A/C systems is a violation of law in 18 states, at least the count was 18 a few years ago.

This is a perfect example why I was recommending a little research before taking such steps.

In the short term you have cold air, the long term will almost certainly not be such a bed of roses.

Best of luck with it.

The air conditioning guys are wondering why the flamable types of refrigerant are even allowed up here. They are in Nova Scotia still. In a frontal collision you could have issues.

Once a sealer is introduced to a system that is about the last time it will be workable is another issue. You can no longer get anyone to touch it without spending a fortune next time usually.

There is a real backlash at places like Canadian tire .It is felt that they are acting in only their own interests and well know the ultimate costs their customers might face.. This in my opinion is not ethical merchandising.. A proper check and refill or top up is not that expensive if nothing needs changed out to enable it.

The use of inferior and dangerous products and sealers is not defensible really. It just not make good sense. You may get away with it but the majority probably do not.

Junk refrigerant? Personal opinion or you have some reference to back that up big guy?

All the shops around here that I checked have a recycle guard set-up on their recovery equipment to prevent sealants from contaminating the equipment and recovered refrigerant.

Cool that you can see into the future and predict the long term prospects are not looking good. Can you help me out and let me know the winning lottery numbers are for tonight?

__________________
jcciem
'94 SL5000 60,000
'91 350SDL 545,000
'91 350SD 197,000
'00 E55 AMG 77,000

The long term consequences of sealants in a/c systems is WELL documented. I have personally seen the consequences in several systems that were destroyed by them.

It's quite interesting that you attack my claiims of long term consequences without responding to the facts regarding illegal installation without the proper fittings and being illegal in 18 states.

I'm glad to know that there are some sealant removal apparatus that assumedly work. It's a shame to see expensive equipment ruined by this junk.

If you believe in shooting the messenger then go ahead and continue your attacks on me. If you're lucky, the sealant that you used is only a seal sweller and the consequences will be minimal. If it is a cryo seal type sealant, there will sooner or later be consequences once moisture comes in contact with it.

I will NOT attack you in return. You already have enough problems to deal with.

It continues to amaze me a the lengths & expense folks go to in order to keep from installing the proper refridgerant in their car's AC system. With R-12 readily available via Ebay & other sources at a fairly reasonable price, it makes absolutely no sense to spend all of the time & money converting to anything else.

These older MB AC systems were designed to use R-12 - not some bugger "alternative" refridgerant. Many cases of R-134a conversions bombed out (mine included); some are working OK. R-134a is cheap enough to put in a system to see if it will work for you. If not, recover it & install R-12 (with the proper lubricant). So you may need to replace the Dryer, so what? It's a $35.00 or less item.

Another thing - some of you guys are beating up the folks on this forum that are really trying to help you out. If you don't agree with the good advice given here, do what you want. You will be the only one to suffer. The good people on this forum are here to help & represent a vast storehouse of knowledge. Ignore & berate them at your own risk.

__________________
1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed

dagObx you are missing the point! They are in Canada. Their countries government has banned R-12. Should they break the law? How about helping them find a way to have A/C in their cars. Maybe someone in Canada with some knowledge of alternative refridgerants can give some advice on how to help them out.

No, I didn't miss the point - I saw that the OP was from Canada. The problem with posts like this is that everyone with a pet solution jumps in & gives what I consider bad advice on a forum that is here to help MB diesel owners out. And in the process, trash those members who have decades of experience in operating & maintaining auto AC systems.

As far as our friends to the north are concerned with regards to R-12, I was unaware that Canada had fully outlawed R-12. With that in mind, I can only advise to use R134a & suffer through the inadequacies of that refridgerant or do what has been suggested earlier - research "alternative" refridgerants.

The use of propane as an automotive refridgerant is appalling to me. I wouldn't go near a car with propane in it, much less ride in it. But to be fair, I give the OP credit for being innovative enough to try it out.

I agree that we should just shut up now & get on with trying to figure out what will work (legally) for our Canadian brothers...

On Edit: Propane used as a fuel is one thing - refridgerant is something totally different.

__________________
1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed