Noticed yesterday at a local Walmart here in San Antonio that Walmart had R134a on sale for $9.27 for a "standard" 340 gram can.

Recently, the auto parts stores have went up to as much as $18 to $20 per can, and $300 or more for a 30 lb can.

Friend in Charlotte clued me in that the European Union is banning R134 effective this year, and Dupont has already scaled back production. Additionally, both the EU and the EPA have already approved a replacement - called 1234YF - and GM will start using it for the 2013 model year.

Couple small problems with 1234YF - it's flammable and it's toxic to humans. Also, it contains hydrogen fluoride, which when combined with water forms hydrofluoric acid.

Some first responder and safety organizations in Europe, notably in Germany, are strongly protesting this move over safety reasons. Conceivably, even a minor accident that caused a leak in the A/C system could cause the vehicle to catch on fire and/or release toxic chemicals which the occupants and/or first responders could be exposed to.

The spokeperson for one safety group even all but said the real reason for this change was because Dupont's patents on R134 were running out, and they had to get use of a new refrigerant mandated to keep their monopoly.

Back in my Navy days operating submarine nuclear power plants, one of the tongue-in-cheek inside jokes was "a few must die for the continued safe operation of naval nuclear power". But that's all it was, a joke.

Apparently the EPA decided it isn't a joke, and it's perfectly acceptable for a certain number of people to get injured or even killed from use of this refrigerant in vehicles, as long as it's for the good of the environment.

If you own an older MB diesel that's been converted to R134a, might be worth it to trot down to Walmart and stock up on a few cans, until we see how this mess is going to play out.

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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club