Goodbye R134a, hello HFO-1234yf
 

Since R134a is banned in all new cars in the EU this year, what does that mean for US delivered cars? Are we going to start seeing HFO-1234yf in cars here?

Based on everything I have been reading r134 is going to be getting phased out accross the board over the next year or so. I am thinking that yes, the cars coming over from Europe will have the new refrigerant.

I'm assuming that R134a will still be available for some time. Has anyone seen any info on the R12 -> HFO-1234 conversion possibilities?

Doesn't 1234 run at much higher pressures than 134?

I'll do some reading...

Looks like it's propane based. HA! How many times has that discussion come up :P

EDIT: On paper it looks like a nice gas, with cooling close to R12. I wonder what kind of oil you use, and if there are any material problems with older systems.

My SDL is 134 converted anyway. If there's little risk of the stuff eating my evaporator I'd love to try it.

-J

I had this discussion with an RTI Technologies rep when I bought a new machine a few months back, as it stands only EU has banned R134 but GM will start implementing 1234yf in their new cars over the next 2 years (just a rumor). As far as I know the European car dealers here in Ontario have started putting in orders for the new machines for 1234yf. As far as the gas goes it is supposedly backwards compatible with r134 but it will be completely phased out over the next 5-7 years (no accurate date on this). Just another note one 30lbs tank will supposedly sell for $2000-3000, yes that's not a typo.

Ya, doing some reading it seems the cost of this stuff is 10x the cost of 134A (!!!!). They are also not allowing retrofits.

Great.

-J

here in Canada or at least in Ontario they will allow retrofits but I can't confirm this yet

WOW, interesting. I might be wrong, but as I remember here in Kali land, there is a $10 core fee on ea can of 134A, and is refundable when the can is returned. the catch..............have to use it with in 3 mo, or loose the deposit. they don`t want people to stock pile the stuff.

You guys in other states better be picking this stuff up while it is available, or will be like R12, difficult to find, and pricier down the road.

Charlie

Again from what I have read they are going to put a stiff tax on the 134 to put it in approximately the same price range as the new stuff. This is supposed to prevent the price issues that r12 had when they phased it out. Not sure how it is supposed to help with the hi tax.

I think I will start buying cans of R134A now.

sams club still sells the 30 pound jugs for 170ish...

No refrigerant has been banned. They can still be bought, sold and used in any vehicle. R12 is still available and R134a will be available for decades to come as well.

R12 has been banned from manufacture. Is 134A far behind? From what I read this morning no. But they'll probably tax it to bring the cost up. That's the annoying part, the only foreseeable end to all of this is an increased cost to repair an AC system.

-J

That is not true for outside the USA and its not banned from sale.

I didn't say it was banned from sale. I said the cost is going to go up.